Home
Blog
Security
Cyber Security vs Network Security - Key Differences

Cyber Security vs Network Security - Key Differences

Updated on 04 November, 2022

13.58K+ views

• 12 min read

Table of Contents

What is Cyber Security?
What is Network Security?
Key Difference Between Cybersecurity and Network Security
Cyber security vs. Network Security
Cyber Security vs Network Security: Salary
Cyber security and Network Security: Career Path
Cyber Security vs Network Security: Educational Requirement
Network Security vs Cyber Security: Certifications
Network Security or Cyber Security: Which Career Path is best?
Conclusion

In the field of tech, computer science professionals have different career options to them. The career field is vast and varied, from software design to information security. However, two of the most expanding career paths are cybersecurity and software development, both of which offer competitive salaries and plenty of growth potential.

It's more important to see what skill set or work most appeals to you. Cybersecurity is highly focused on information security, helping and developing a strong defense against cybercrime and cyberattacks. To enhance and learn the skills required in the cyber security career path, you can go through Cyber Security training programs and start learning from your comfort.

Network security is a broad term that covers a multitude of technologies, devices, and processes. It is a set of rules and configurations designed to protect computer networks' integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is a field of methods and processes that aim to protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyber-attacks. The purpose of these fields is to protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyber-attacks. It requires constant monitoring of computer systems for vulnerabilities and the continuous updating of technology and techniques.

What is Network Security?

Network security is a broad term that covers a pile of technologies, devices, and processes. In short terms, it is a set of rules and configurations designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of computer networks and data using on networks and data using both software and hardware technologies. Every organization needs a network security professional to protect it from the ever-growing landscape of cyber threats.

Key Difference Between Cybersecurity and Network Security

Keeping the distinctions in mind, come up with the difference between network security and internet security, specifically cyber security. The difference between network security vs. cyber security isn't always transparent. In the age of cyber threats and cyber-attacks, it is now more important than ever to understand how to protect yourself and your business from potential cyber threats.

Cybersecurity develops and executes security measures to protect a company or organization's computer network. In contrast, Network security is taking preventive measures physically and technically in software to protect the underlying networking infrastructure from unauthorized excess, vulnerability, malfunction, modification, or improper disclosure.
Cyber security professionals are trained to take into malware and trojans setting up or updating firewalls while using operating systems like Linux to maintain network security, thereby in Network security creates a secure platform for users and perform permitted ed important commands and functions within a secure environment.

Cyber security vs. Network Security

Definition	Cyber security is a field of methods and processes that aim to protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyber-attacks.	Network security is a field where data is protected as it travels through and across an organization's network.
Data	It protects the data residing in the devices and servers. Cyber security ensures the protection of entire digital data. It protects anything in the cyber realm.	It protects the data flowing through the network and protects the transmitted data and anything in the network realm.
Hierarchy	It is a subset of information security.	It is a subset of cyber security.
Viruses	It deals with protection from cyber-attacks and cybercrimes, including phishing and pre-texting.	It deals with protection from DOS attacks, viruses, and worms.
Attack Types	Malware Phishing Pretexting Baiting SQL Injection Zero-day Exploit DNS Tunneling	Unauthorized Access Malware Social Engineering Phishing Denial-of-service Distributed Denial-of-Service
Extension	It covers all servers and devices that belong to the company. Cyber Security extends its protection to anything the cyber realm includes.	Unlike Cyber Security, Network Security provides limited protection. It strictly focuses on defending the transit data only. Network Security extends to safeguard everything in the network realm.
Strikes Against	Cyber security strikes against crimes and frauds over the network.	Network Security strikes against trojans
Security	It deals with the protection of the data resting.	It protects the data traveling across the network by terminals.
Categories	Application Security Cloud Security Internet of Things Security Critical Infrastructure Security.	Physical Network Security Technical Network Security Administrative Network security.
Examples	Secure sensitive data, online authentication, and up-to-date information are all examples of cybersecurity precautions.	In network security, multi-factor authentication, software updates, and rigorous password regulations are all part of the realm.
Popular Job Titles	Cyber Security Architect and Cyber Security Analyst are two popular career titles.	Network Security Engineer and0 Network Security Architect are two popular job titles.
Job role	A cyber security specialist is an expert in protecting, detecting, and recovering cyber security threats.	The network security professional's role lies in safeguarding an organization's IT infrastructure.

Cyber Security vs Network Security: Salary

Cyber security has been in great demand in recent years, whether based on location, role, or experience. Cyber security meets the required conditions for safeguarding an organization's private documents, files, or identities over the internet. On the other hand, Network security meets the necessary conditions for protecting the networking realm in the organizations functioning. So, here we have the salary difference between network security engineer's vs cyber security.

Based on the Job Role

Job Title	Average Salary/Year
Security Analyst	$92,552
Systems Administrator	$79,990
Chief Information Security Analyst	$230,801
Security Engineer	$119,981
Programmer Analyst	$81,334
Security Consultant	$1,35,000
Network Engineer	$5,50,000

Based on Experience

An entry-level Network Security Analyst with less than 1 year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $63,235 based on 10 salaries.
An early career Network Security Analyst with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $71,942 based on 26 salaries.
A mid-career Network Security Analyst with 5-9 years of experience earns an average compensation of $88,596 based on 15 salaries.
An experienced Network Security Analyst with 10-19 years of experience earns an average compensation of $102,002 based on 5 salaries.

Based on Location

Based on locations in the world, cyber security/ Network security professionals are offered per year by region

In Europe: $78, 618 USD/ $ 70, 844 USD
In North America: $119,818 USD/ $110,943 USD
In Latin America: $32, 637 USD/ $32,244 USD
In Asia-Pacific: $61, 244 USD/ $ 58,889 USD

Cyber security and Network Security: Career Path

There are many areas for specialization and advancement which you'll be able to branch into as your skills, experience, and career development. And that is the career path of cyber security vs. network engineer. The career path of cyber security vs. network engineer.

First, you need to know the basics of IT and cyber security Fundamentals and Entry-level certification courses to Associate certification, grabbing a cyber security internship to grow your skills and industry experience. To enhance and learn the skills required in the cyber security career path and hacking and dive into the ethical hacking world, you can go through the CEH training at KnowledgeHut's online Cybersecurity courses and start learning from your comfort.

Network Security is an organization's first line of defense against hackers and other cyber threats. The viable road to Network security is grabbing a Bachelor's Certificate in Computer science engineering and growing skills in programming languages such as Python, C++, etc. Network certifications like CCNP, Certified Ethical Hacking, etc. A peep can dive into a Master's program like Master of Network Security to boost in the field.

Cyber Security vs Network Security: Educational Requirement

For tech professionals, skills are a must to solve and create solutions.

Good cyber security professionals must possess a rich and diverse skill set, and they are

Networking and system administration.
Knowledge of operating systems and Virtual machines
Network security control.
Programming languages
Cloud security and Blockchain security
Risk Analysis: Cybersecurity professionals are required to identify, manage and mitigate risks. Risk management and mitigation are skill sets that will be in high demand in the coming years.
Information Security: Companies require skilled professionals who can protect their electronic data from unauthorized access.
Laws and Regulations: This is an often-overlooked cybersecurity aspect. There are several cybersecurity laws and regulations that you should be aware of. These laws define how you can use the internet and protect people from becoming victims of cybercrimes.

A bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering is a must fulfill to meet the industry experience and knowledge working in IT. Knowledge and skills working with firewalls, virtual private networks, and intrusion detection system is must require for the conditions to meet and excel in your career.

A network security engineer should hold a bachelor's degree in a field related to programming, information security, or computer science as a minimum. It is becoming common for employers to look for those who hold a master's degree, such as a master's of business administration (MBA). Several different licenses and certifications are available for the network security engineer. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is quite popular.

Network Security vs Cyber Security: Certifications

The certification requirement of network engineer vs. cyber security is reflected in the below paragraph. The best certifications in Software Engineering are Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional, Certified Software Development Professional, Certified Software Engineer, CW Web Development Professional, C Programming Language Certified Associate, etc.

Cyber security certifications are CISSP, CSA, CISM, Security+, CEH, GSEC, SSCP, CASP, etc.

There are various courses offered at KnowlegdeHut, where you can explore and learn new skills.

Network Security or Cyber Security: Which Career Path is best?

It is said to be biased to say exactly which career path is the best before you get a chance to work in the field. However, it may be relatively easy to determine which careers are not right for you based on your personality and character traits. Every field has its requirements, skills, and roles. It solely depends on a person which traits or interests he or she carries.

Although to explore the field and world of cyber security, go through KnowlegdeHut Cyber Security training programs.

Unlock the Power of ITIL Certification: Elevate Your Information Technology Infrastructure Library Skills Today!

Conclusion

As to the context, we can summarize the way cyber security vs network security is broad terms. These fields deal with the privacy and protection of authorized data and files from reauthorized means of practice. Cyber security meets the required conditions for safeguarding an organization's private documents, files, or identities over the internet. On the other hand, Network security meets the necessary conditions for protecting the networking realm in the organization's functioning, requires constant monitoring of computer systems for vulnerabilities, and continuously updates technology and techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What Is the top job of Cyber Security vs Network Security?

It is difficult to say that one is more difficult than the other without determining the parameters for that. It depends on person to person, their interests, and their expertise. Both fields have pros and cons, depending solely on person-to-person abilities.

However, cyber security would be difficult for you if you are a hands-on learner and have no interest in hacking, Brute force attack, and forensics.

2. What is the best career in Cybersecurity vs Networking in the UK?

We often come up with the question of better cyber security or network security. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field, and cybersecurity skills are in demand, especially within large organizations and those financial services institutions. Businesses in the United Kingdom are turning digital. As a result, they require information security expertise to protect their data. In the last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 39% of firms in the UK were subjected to cyber-attacks. Hence, there is a massive demand for Cyber Security experts.

3. Is network security the same as Cyber Security?

Suppose you're coming up with the network security vs cyber security dilemma. In that case, we often think it is the same as both disciplines are concerned with securing hardware, information systems, and electronic data. With clear distinctions, network security works to safeguard data over the network from security breaches, which could result in data loss, sabotage, or unauthorized access. At the same time, Cyber security works to reduce security debt and inherent vulnerabilities in an organization's infrastructure and code.

4. Can network engineers become cybersecurity?

Cyber Security is a broad term, while network security is a subset of cyber security. Cybersecurity protects all the digital data of an enterprise against cyber-attacks. Network security offers limited protection, safeguards the network, and transmits data only. You can become a cyber security engineer by grabbing a master's degree in a field closely related to cyber security.