Network Security vs Cyber Security: A Complete Guide

When it comes to data protection, two terms are often confused with one another; network security and cyber security. Both these terms sound and appear to be quite similar to one another. However, there are a few distinct features that make them different angles on the same topic.

The concepts of cyber and network security are applicable in multiple fields including the IT ecosystem, forensic sciences, and security architecture. But how do we know which one is better for which field? The misapplication of safety standards comes with consequences, but that is a topic for another day.

Right now, we’ll tell you the major similarities and differences between network and digital protection, along with our verdict at the end. So without further delay, let’s get into it.

What is Network Security? 

To understand what network security is, you should first know what a network is. It is a set of devices, mainly computers, linked with each other, either by cables or wirelessly. The purpose behind its existence is to allow the transmission of data smoothly within a business environment and outside the enterprise.

Network security comprises tools, steps, and procedures involved in safeguarding the chain of computers in order to protect the information within. It is a prerequisite of cyber-attacks that strategizes by creating multiple layers of protection (inside and outside the chain) to keep crackers out of reach and away from the information.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the procedure of safeguarding data held in IT systems. This might include a link of computers, software, applications, programs, or any form of Internet of Things. The main reason for cyber security is to defend the system from cyber attacks, cyber-crime, and cyber-terrorism.

The terminology ‘cyber security’ encompasses different kinds of technologies, controls, and devices that can reduce the risk of an attack. These measures are divided into seven pivotal layers to combat the digital vulnerabilities of an enterprise. Included in these seven layers is physical protection as well as network security, making the scope of digital security much more vast.

Difference Between Network Security and Cyber Security 

	Network Security	Cyber Security
Purpose	To protect data within the network from digital attacks by imposing hardware and software policies and controls.	To protect data held within devices used by individuals and enterprises from theft, damage, breach, and attacks.
Field of Interest	The main concern is only the network of an organization. Subjects of interest include the inter-connected devices and communication channels.	The main concern is the entire IT structure of an organization or individual. Subjects of interest include inter-connected devices, policies, technologies, and people involved.
Elements	Firewalls Conditional Access Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) Endpoint Security Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)	Application Security Information Security Network Security Disaster Recovery Planning Operational Security End-user Security
Implementation	Applicable specifically to networks in any setting, including homes and offices.	Applicable in various settings which include the use of the internet or networks.
Relevant Threats	Rogue Security Software Computer Viruses Domain Name System (DNS) Attack Encryption Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack	Malware Ransomware Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Attacks Corporate Account Takeover (CATO) Spam & Phishing
Types of Risks	Identity Access Management Issues Unsecured Networks Insider Threats	Password Theft Traffic Interception Zero-Day Exploits
Data Defense Measures	Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) Protocol SSL & TLS Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) Kerberos Protocol Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) HTTP & HTTPS	Encryption Data Erasure Data Masking Data Resiliency
Advantages	It prevents illegal access to information. With network security in place, the devices will stay protected physically. The network is centrally controlled and supervised by an administrator. It provides frequent anti-virus updates without bugging each individual.	It protects sensitive information of all sectors of an IT system from digital attacks. It mitigates financial loss arising from response plan implementation post-cyber attack. It ensures that the system runs smoothly and creates backups for quick restoration. For businesses, it increases credibility by showing that the organization takes its system security seriously.
Disadvantages	It can be costly since the once-secured networks require maintenance and review. Leads to increased latency in the overall performance due to slow data transfer speed. It is not a one-off expense and does not guarantee security due to the evolving tactics of attackers.	It involves monitoring the activities of users which might breach certain privacy rights of individuals. Strict controls like complex password rotations, might lead to inconvenience for users in everyday activities. Due to the global shortage of IT professionals, it can be hard to find skilled staff.

Similarities Between Network Security and Cyber Security

Restricted Access:

They restrict access to resources and functions based on the role or designation an employee holds within the organization. This reduces the risk of information breach and theft, increasing the efficiency of the safety system.

Data Transfer Encryptions:

Communication between clients and servers through the network is secured by encrypting (encoding/decoding) the data using TLS and SSL protocols.

Threat Reduction Mechanism:

To reduce threats, both use Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) that provide compliance support and block suspicious traffic. IPS can also be used to detect vulnerabilities in the overall system.

Single Security Appliance:

Firewalls are common in both procedures, and a Unified Threat Management Solution is also used for increased awareness of threats and integration of firewall functions.

Incident Management:

Both concepts focus on risk assessment, vulnerability management, and post-incident response. Moreover, they follow the same framework with seven steps for minimizing damage and timely recovery of lost material.

Enhanced Safety Mechanisms:

They use common enhanced safety mechanisms like Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) which asks for two or more verifications from the user before providing access.

Final Verdict

By taking a closing overview, we can tell that cyber security has a much wider scope that covers the network, hence it has the data protection responsibility of various IT areas. On the contrary, network security only manages threats and risks to the extent of the network.

Despite being more expensive and advanced than network security, the methods of tackling network-related issues are less in cyber security. Therefore, network security is best when you require specialized and focused defenses for the network information only. As for cyber defense, it can cover everything but lacks the specialization factor.