Unraveling the World of Cybersecurity: Why Information Assurance Matters

Data is the most important commodity in the modern digital landscape, and yet, it is often alarmingly vulnerable. Breaches regularly make headlines, leading to devastating reputational damage and numerous other costly consequences.

While cybersecurity strategies provide powerful opportunities to combat bad actors and safeguard sensitive data, it takes more than firewalls or antivirus software to avoid or mitigate today’s greatest data-centric risks. This is where information assurance comes into play. Critical for protecting information but often misunderstood, this practice calls for a holistic approach, which goes beyond the scope of ‘conventional’ cybersecurity solutions.

To illustrate the importance of information assurance in today’s threat-filled digital environment, we’ve compiled an in-depth guide that details what information assurance aims to accomplish and how information assurance professionals make a difference. Keep reading to discover the world of possibility in this growing field and to learn: what does an information assurance analyst do?

Understanding Information Assurance

Many people recognize that their data needs to be safeguarded, but even those with a basic grasp of cybersecurity often struggle to understand, what is information assurance? This lack of understanding stems from the sheer complexity of this holistic practice.

Information assurance provides a comprehensive approach to safeguarding data, along with the systems that allow data to be stored, processed, or analyzed. This field can also encompass physical information, especially as it transitions to digital formats. It is best understood in the context of its five pillars, which include:

• Availability. Authorized users should consistently be capable of accessing information. This calls for robust infrastructure while taking active steps to also prevent attacks that could limit data availability.
• Integrity. Information should not be tampered with or altered when transmitted. With information assurance, the term ‘integrity’ indicates that sensitive data has not been compromised by bad actors or via user errors.
• Authentication. Unauthorized individuals or devices should not be capable of gaining access to sensitive data. Authentication places much-needed controls to verify user identity prior to granting access.
• Confidentiality. Sensitive data should not be widely accessible. Rather, it should be limited to the users who need it most. Encryption can play heavily into confidentiality, with only authorized users capable of necessary information.
• Nonrepudiation. Proof of delivery must be granted at both the sender and recipient’s end. This provides valuable peace of mind and makes it more difficult for threat actors to cover their cracks.

The Role Information Assurance Plays in Cybersecurity

Information assurance and cybersecurity are closely linked, to the point that even tech-literature individuals frequently confuse these essential practices. Both play into the big picture of information security, but cybersecurity is a subset of information assurance.

Insights and guidance from information assurance professionals ensure that the right cybersecurity strategies are developed and implemented in the right context. We will take a closer look at the inner workings of cybersecurity and information assurance below.

Information Assurance and Cybersecurity – Differences and Similarities

Information assurance and cybersecurity hold much in common and can certainly support one another, but they are distinct practices and distinct career fields.

Understanding these nuances is important when examining relevant career opportunities. This is because the everyday tasks performed by, for example, an information assurance analyst may differ considerably from those performed by cybersecurity analysts or specialists. Still, the overlap between these fields is also worth acknowledging, as competencies gained in one area will ultimately strengthen job performance in the other.

Differences

The primary difference between cybersecurity and information assurance comes down to what is being secured. Specifically, cybersecurity focuses on devices and networks, while information assurance strives for maximum data security and confidentiality. Both are crucial and both play into the overarching goal of protecting organizations and end users.

• Focus and scope. IA centers around the effort to protect and secure data in all its forms. The goal is to ensure that critical data is not only available, but also confidential and authenticated. Cybersecurity emphasizes specific cyber threats, including the vectors that might be used to access the data protected through information assurance.
• Approach and methodology. Proactive in nature, IA delves into risk management, compliance, and governance. While cybersecurity calls for some proactive strategies, it tends to embody more of a reactive approach, in which threats or vulnerabilities are detected and mitigated in real-time.
• Disciplinary scope. Cybersecurity is a highly technical field, centered around IT infrastructure, application security, and network security. Information assurance, although also technical, involves more of a holistic approach, in which project management and information systems management may also come into play.

Similarities

Because there is some overlap between cybersecurity and information assurance, professionals who work in one field often possess an in-depth understanding of the other. What’s more, a number of information assurance analysts complete tasks that could more accurately be referred to as cybersecurity protocols and vice versa. Notable similarities between these closely aligned practices include:

• Common goals. Information assurance and cybersecurity share a few main goals. The chief among these, however, is the desire to protect organizations and end users. How these practices achieve this may differ, but there is no denying that both information assurance and cybersecurity are critical for safeguarding sensitive data.
• Overlap in skills and techniques. Analysts in the aligned fields of information assurance and cybersecurity draw on similar skill sets and need to develop similar technical competencies. For instance, both information assurance and cybersecurity professionals will need to master multiple programming languages while also understanding network protocols, encryption, and hardening systems.
• Interdisciplinary nature. While information assurance, and especially cybersecurity, call for strong technical skills, both qualify as interdisciplinary fields. This is where soft skills such as problem-solving and communication are highly valued and can shine. Both types of professionals must develop a nuanced understanding of information security ethics and the legal framework that underscores information technology.

Is Information Assurance a Good Career Choice?

Information assurance is not right for everybody as this is a highly demanding field that calls for a strong technical skill set and may also require leadership acumen. This can be a wonderfully rewarding career for technologically skilled professionals determined to make a positive difference.

From the standpoint of career outlook, there is no denying that information assurance boasts a bright future. Many relevant occupations show great potential, if data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is any indication. To note, BLS projections suggest an astounding career outlook of 32% for information security analysts, who, as of 2022, earned median annual wages of $112,000 per year. Meanwhile, the growth rate across the full scope of BLS-identified occupations has reached three percent.

Career Pathways in Information Assurance

There are several ways to leverage an information assurance concentration while seeking a meaningful career. Compelling opportunities include:

• Cybersecurity engineer. We have touched on the differences between cybersecurity and information assurance, but the role of cybersecurity engineer provides excellent opportunities to draw on principles from both niches. Cybersecurity engineers apply an in-depth understanding of digital threats to their efforts to develop and manage hardware and software solutions.
• Information assurance analyst. This role draws on industry standards and best practices to determine the best controls and configurations for safeguarding sensitive data. This may involve policy and procedural development but could also encompass compliance assessments and network monitoring.
• Information security officer. Often working with cross-functional teams to identify security concerns as they relate to business objectives, information security officers conduct risk assessment and complete reports revealing whether current security controls are effective. This role is heavy on documentation and may involve the agency-wide administration of extensive information security requirements.

Information Assurance Training, Degree, and Certification

While multiple degree programs provide opportunities to develop relevant technical skills, few compare to the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. This program includes a strong foundation in database management, enterprise architecture, and many other relevant concepts. This can be accompanied by an information assurance concentration, which delivers a deeper dive into network security, hardening systems, and even ethical hacking. Core courses include:

• Introduction to Network Security
• Security Policies and Auditing
• Incident Response and Disaster Recovery

In addition to promoting technical skill development, this program provides a myriad of opportunities to develop communication and leadership skills, which are highly valued by employers. Upon developing a blend of technical, leadership, and soft skills, students are expected to apply these during targeted work experiences spanning 150 hours.

After obtaining an information assurance degree online, the recommended next step is to seek certification. This can provide an extra edge during the job search, as certifications are among the most effective tools for conveying skill mastery. These complement information assurance degrees nicely, as targeted degree programs provide excellent preparation for rigorous certification exams. Options worth pursuing include Cisco’s Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+).

Prepare for a Career in Information Assurance at Baker

If you’re looking to pursue a technical career that allows you to make a meaningful difference, you could be a wonderful candidate for the information assurance field. First, you will need high-level training. This can be obtained through Baker College’s Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and especially our Information Assurance Concentration. Reach out today to learn more about this targeted degree program.