What Is Information Security (InfoSec)?

Information security broadly refers to methods of protecting information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. It is also about ensuring that the information is available and usable to authorized users when it is needed. Information security is not only about technical measures but also about safeguarding organizations and people to protect information accessed by them. 

Information security is important for organizations and companies that handle sensitive information, such as personal data, trade secrets, and other confidential information. It is also important for businesses that use technology to store and transmit personal information, such as bank details and medical records. 

Securing information comprises various measures, including data encryption, firewalls, and backups. It is also about having policies and procedures in place to handle information securely, training staff in information security, and creating a culture where security awareness is a natural element. 

At the same time, excessive security measures must not get in the way of authorized personnel from accessing required information. Information security plays an important part in the expression “the right information at the right time”. As such, authorized access for appropriate personnel should be conveniently available, without them having to undergo vexing scrutiny.  

What is the difference between IT Security and Information Security? 

Information security and IT security are two related areas, but there are some differences between them. 

IT security is only a subset of information security and focuses on protecting IT systems from cyberattacks, viruses, and other digital threats. Information security, on the other hand, is by definition broader and includes not only IT security but also physical security and organizational measures required to protect information from unauthorized access or damage. Information security is about ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, whether it is digital or not. 

Thus, it can be said that IT security is an important part of information security, but information security also includes other aspects that are important to ensure the protection of information, including handling information in paper form, security procedures, and security training.  

Why is it important? 

Protect sensitive information: Information security helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, including personal information, trade secrets, banking information, and other confidential data. Information that disappears behind secrecy can be described as information that does not exist. 

Reduce the risk of cyberattacks: Cyberattacks are increasingly becoming common. Information security can reduce the risk of such attacks by ensuring that IT systems are protected and are up to date. 

Meet legal requirements: Many countries have laws and regulations that require organizations to protect sensitive information. By having a robust information security plan in place, organizations can ensure they meet these requirements. Read below, among other things, about the NIS2 Directive. 

Protect against sabotage and espionage: Companies, authorities, and organizations can be targets of sabotage and espionage, aimed at damaging or stealing information. Information security helps protect against such threats and minimize their impact.  

Maintain trust: Trust is crucial for all organizations and businesses. By having a strong information security plan, organizations demonstrate that they take the protection of sensitive information seriously and preserve the trust of customers and partners. 

What are the biggest threats to Information Security? 

Many of the problems that we encounter with information security affect all types of organizations adversely. The most common problems include: 

Human error: Many security issues arise from human shortcomings, such as employees using weak passwords or opening malicious emails. Training and safety awareness is important to reduce the risk of such failures. 

Inadequate security policy: If the company does not have a strong and well-developed security policy, it can become difficult to protect the information properly. It is important to have clear directions for handling information and ensuring that the security policy is followed by all employees. Without an adequate security policy/policies, it is easy for individuals to make mistakes.  

Insufficient IT infrastructure: If IT systems are not up-to-date or security features such as firewalls and antivirus software are not in place, it is easier for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system.  

System maintenance deficiencies: System maintenance is important to ensure that IT systems are secure and function properly. If there are deficiencies in system maintenance, the risk of security problems increases.  

External threats: External threats such as cyberattacks, and malware can be difficult to defend against. Companies need to have a robust security plan in place to address such threats.  

To avoid these problems, it is important to try to adopt a holistic view of information security and to implement appropriate technical, organizational, and personnel measures. It is also important to regularly review and update security procedures to ensure that they are complied with and are relevant and effective. 

Tips for enhanced Information Security 

1. Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords and renew them regularly. A strong password should contain at least eight characters (preferably more), including numbers, letters, and special characters.  
2. Two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication where possible, providing additional protection against unauthorized access.  
3. Update software: Ensure that software is updated regularly, including operating systems, browsers, apps, and antivirus software. Updates also come with the latest security updates.  
4. Protect mobile devices: Use passwords, biometric identification, or encryption to protect mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. 
5. Back up data: Regularly back up important data to a separate authorized location provided by your organization to protect them from loss, intrusion, or damage.  
6. Update user permissions: Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information. 
7. Train your users: Train employees and other users on security risks and how to manage them. The more aware users are of security risks, the less likely they are to make mistakes that could lead to an attack or data leak. 

By strengthening security awareness in the organization, you can reduce the risk of security problems and promote a culture where information security is seen as an important part of the business. It is also important to note that security awareness is not only about training employees and other users but also about creating an organization where security is prioritized and supported at all levels of an organization.

NIS2 Directive 

When it comes to the importance of information security, it is particularly important for many businesses in Europe to pay attention to the EU-wide applicable NIS2 directive (Network and Information Security Directive V2), which concerns organizations within the EU that are counted as providers of specific important services. The NIS2 Directive is designed to increase the security of networks and information systems across the EU by setting minimum requirements for information security and incident response. The main objective is to make EU Member States more resilient to cyberattacks. 

Most activities that fall under the NIS2 directive are with respect to public security domains such as healthcare, water and food supply, banking services, energy, transport, digital infrastructure and its service providers, and waste management. NIS2 is aimed at both public and private organizations that operate in these areas.  

Companies and authorities in these designated sectors are subject to specific information security and incident response requirements, including establishing and implementing appropriate security and incident response measures to protect their networks and information systems. These companies and public entities must also report major security incidents to the respective supervisory authority. The rules are EU-wide and extensive fines can be imposed for implementations that do not fulfill the commitments stipulated by NIS2. In addition to fines, managers in the respective activities may also be held personally liable for infringements of the Directive. 

Therefore, the NIS2 Directive has a direct impact on information security work done by organizations due to the introduction of stricter requirements to protect networks and information systems and requiring designated activities to maintain a high level of information security controls. NIS2 entered into force in January 2023 and EU Member States will then have 21 months to transpose the Directive into national law. For many companies and authorities, NIS2 is expected to be as pervasive and comprehensive as the introduction of the GDPR. It is likely that many businesses today have a corresponding need to improve their work with information security in order to comply with NIS2 and thereby avoid fines or other cognizable punitive orders. 

How can eBuilder Security help you with your Information Security?  

eBuilder Security offers several services to improve your Information Security posture including: 

1. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) with 24 x7 Security Operations Center (SOC) service. 
2. Complorer Security Awareness, a NIS2-compliant training service. 
3. Simulated phishing tests including spear-phishing in combination with our Security Awareness training. 
4. Penetration Testing of your applications and networks to test your defenses against a real hacker attack. 
5. Security audits and reviews according to standards such as ISO27001 and NIST, but also simpler security health check reviews based on CIS critical security controls.