Cybersecurity vs. Data Science: Differences Explained

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jan 28, 2025

Woman working in data science and cybersecurity.

Advances in technology over the last few decades have made data one of any organization’s most important assets. From sensitive information, such as bank accounts and Social Security numbers, to marketing data, companies around the world rely on skilled professionals to analyze and protect their data.

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Cyber Security degree is an excellent option for students who wish to pursue a career in cybersecurity or data science. The degree program teaches what they need to know to succeed, including the ethical and legal factors that come with data, how to build and use defensive technologies and information technology (IT) tools, and the basics of network security and cryptography — all of which are vital to these fields.

What Is Cybersecurity?

According to IBM, cybersecurity is part of a modern organization’s complete risk management strategy. It refers to the use of tools and measures that protect against or mitigate the impact of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity is a broad field that covers numerous facets of IT, including computer systems, financial assets, devices, and applications.

Cybersecurity includes the following tools and measures:

Application security
Network security
Data security
Endpoint and Internet of Things (IoT) security
Identity and access management (IAM)
Database security
Infrastructure security
Computer science
Antimalware software
Antivirus software and systems
Encryption
Defensive computing

Why Is Cybersecurity Important?

Cyber attacks such as ransomware and malware are on the rise, and they can seriously disrupt business operations. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 notes that the average cost of a data breach in the United States is approximately $4.88 million — the highest cost ever recorded.

Furthermore, the report showed that 1 in 3 breaches involve shadow data: data that IT teams don’t formally manage. The sheer amount of data on the internet is making it more difficult for organizations to adequately govern, opening the door to more frequent — and potentially more harmful — cyber attacks. Cybersecurity and data science professionals often work together to prevent these attacks.

What Is Data Science?

Data science is a multidisciplinary field that uses various processes and algorithms to extract insights and knowledge from vast data stores. Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, combining math, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and programming to glean helpful information that can influence important business decisions.

Data science projects typically follow four stages.

Ingestion: Ingestion is the collection of raw and structured data from various relevant sources using various methods, such as web scraping, real-time streaming, and manual entry.
Storage and Processing: Each data type and format may require its own storage and processing system. Data science involves cleaning and integrating data to improve its quality before being stored in a repository.
Analysis: After processing and storing data, data scientists analyze it to look for patterns, ranges, and biases in ways that can help them form testable hypotheses. The analysis often includes data mining, a process that uncovers hidden relationships. It also determines the data’s relevance for modeling, whether through machine learning, predictive analytics, or another technology.
Communication: Once data scientists have gathered their insights, they present them in the form of written reports complete with graphs and charts. Programming languages like R and Python are most commonly used to create these visualizations.

Why Is Data Science Important?

According to Rivery, a data management platform for businesses, there are 149 zettabytes of data in the world as of 2024. Shockingly, 90% of that data was created or generated within the last two years. Data science is tasked with making sense of this mind-boggling amount of data, turning it into information that organizations can use.

Organizations that embrace data science often find that they make better, more informed business decisions. They improve their efficiency by streamlining many of the processes associated with capturing, processing, and storing data, and they improve their customer service efforts through the insights they extract. In fact, data science can also help organizations introduce innovation by solving complex issues or developing products based on the insights they glean.

Differences in Cybersecurity vs. Data Science

Although cybersecurity and data science both focus on data, there are several key differences to consider before choosing a career path. Cybersecurity involves the protection of various assets through risk mitigation, but data science involves analyzing data to solve problems and make decisions. Whereas data science focuses on statistical analyses and machine learning, cybersecurity focuses more on security protocols and techniques.

Simply put, cybersecurity specialists are tasked with protecting the integrity of the data that a data scientist will later analyze. Cybersecurity and data science careers both require mastery of math and statistical analysis, and they both involve data and the extraction of insights. Data scientists are responsible for creating the algorithms and models that uncover the insights, and cybersecurity specialists are all about protecting these assets.

Data Science vs. Data Analytics

Data science and data analytics are very closely related, but they have different roles and responsibilities. Data science involves the extraction of structured and unstructured data using scientific methods, and data analytics involves processing unstructured, raw data that a data scientist may later use. When comparing cybersecurity and data analytics , cybersecurity safeguards the raw digital assets that data analysts interpret and try to understand.

Cybersecurity and Data Science Skills and Education

The education and skills requirements for cybersecurity and data science professionals intersect in some places and differ in others.

Skills

Cybersecurity specialists must have a solid understanding of risk management, penetration testing, information systems, information security, and network security. They must also understand data security best practices, which can include encryption and cryptography as well as authentication protocols.

Data science professionals, on the other hand, need to build a solid foundation in machine learning, data visualization, and statistical analysis. They must be able to comfortably work with Python, R, and other programming languages, and they must be able to work with complex data sets using frameworks like Hadoop.

Education

According to Indeed, cybersecurity professionals seem to require less education than data scientists. Data scientists often earn a bachelor’s degree in a field like data or computer science, and then go on to earn a master’s degree in the same field.

Entry-level cybersecurity professionals require only a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or information security. Those pursuing roles in leadership or education, or those seeking lucrative employment with reputable organizations, often choose to earn a master’s degree in the same field.

Salary

Data scientists earned a median annual salary of $108,020 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those working in the scientific research and development services industry earned upward of $126,430, making it the highest-paying industry for data science professionals.

Information security analysts, including cybersecurity professionals, earned a median annual salary of $120,360 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Those working in the information sector earned even more, at $133,530.

Job Outlook

The outlook for cybersecurity and data science professionals is also quite similar in that both are among the fastest-growing professions in the United States. The BLS projects that between 2023 and 2033, the employment of information security analysts, including cybersecurity professionals, will grow by 33%. The increased volume and cost of cyber attacks and the desire to protect sensitive systems and information will drive this growth.

The BLS projects that the employment of data scientists will grow by an even more astonishing 36% between 2023 and 2033. More organizations than ever before are interested in extracting useful intelligence from existing data. As the volume of global data increases, the need for data science professionals who can collect, clean, and analyze that data before presenting their findings in well-written reports is exploding.

Careers in Cybersecurity

The careers associated with cybersecurity and data science are very different, giving aspiring professionals plenty of leeway to choose the right path for their own skills and preferences.

Director of Cybersecurity

The director of cybersecurity is a senior-level cybersecurity professional responsible for complete oversight of a large organization’s cybersecurity program. These individuals are responsible for the following:

Developing, implementing, and enforcing cybersecurity protocols
Reviewing cybersecurity protocols to ensure their continued effectiveness against attacks
Overseeing penetration testing measures
Managing the organization’s cybersecurity budget and justifying costs to executives and other stakeholders
Providing guidance and leadership to encourage others to uphold cybersecurity processes and guidelines at every level

The director of cybersecurity typically has a master’s degree in cybersecurity and several years of experience in the field, some of which should be in supervisory or management positions. Most employers prefer candidates who hold relevant credentials, such as ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification, which demonstrates proficiency in cybersecurity and governance.

According to Payscale, directors of cybersecurity earned a median annual salary of about $188,000 as of November 2024, with some more experienced professionals earning up to $247,000.

Penetration Tester

A penetration tester is a cybersecurity professional who uses ethical hacking skills to attempt to breach an organization’s network or systems to identify vulnerabilities. Some work full time for major corporations, but most work with cybersecurity firms or independently, as contractors or freelancers. Their most important job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Analyzing and identifying application, system, or network vulnerabilities
Designing and executing penetration tests identical to those commonly used by hackers
Reporting findings and detailed results
Recommending strategies for resolving any vulnerabilities identified during the test
Examining code for potential vulnerabilities

Penetration testers usually have bachelor’s degrees in fields such as computer science or cybersecurity, though many who work in prestigious companies go on to pursue master’s degrees in cybersecurity. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) designation from the EC-Council is considered the gold standard for penetration testers, and it demonstrates the ability to think like a hacker and uncover potential vulnerabilities.

Penetration testers earned a median annual salary of about $98,060 as of November 2024, according to Payscale. The highest-paid individuals earned as much as $146,000.

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers are tasked with identifying threats to and vulnerabilities in computer systems and related software. While cybersecurity engineers focus on preventive measures, penetration testers actively try to exploit vulnerabilities in systems. Their job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Designing and implementing security measures like firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems
Planning, managing, and overseeing security measures for stored data, computers, and networks
Troubleshooting issues that may arise regarding network security
Responding to breaches and cyber attacks
Managing security technology and its related systems
Building and engineering secure systems

Most cybersecurity engineers have master’s degrees in cybersecurity or a related field, and they should also pursue optional credentials to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. One of the best credentials for cybersecurity engineers is the CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) designation, which is widely considered the most advanced certification on the market. It’s also the only certification that demonstrates architects’ and engineers’ cybersecurity proficiency.

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for cybersecurity engineers was about $102,430 as of December 2024. The top 10% of earners made over $149,000.

Careers in Data Science

When comparing careers in cybersecurity and data science, those in the latter field tend to be more math, statistics, and data oriented.

Database Administrator

A database administrator is a data science professional who creates and organizes various systems used to store data and keep it secure. They may work with banks to securely store financial information and records, and they commonly work with major retailers that store customers’ shipping information. Their most common job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Identifying a company’s need to create or manage databases
Designing, building, and maintaining databases
Backing up and restoring data using redundancy measures
Keeping databases running efficiently
Modifying databases and updating permissions as required

Database administrators must have at least a bachelor’s degree, but many go on to pursue master’s degrees in fields like IT or engineering. Certifications are often available from various database software providers, including Microsoft and IBM. The Certified Data Governance Professional (CDGP) designation from the American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) demonstrates mastery of data governance and management strategies as well as regulations and ethics.

The median annual salary of database administrators was $101,510 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Those in computing infrastructure, data processing, web hosting, and related services earned significantly more, at $125,650.

Statistitian

Data science focuses heavily on statistics, and many graduates go on to become statisticians. These individuals use various computational techniques to analyze data and solve problems for businesses. They commonly work for the government or in fields such as education, research and development, or education. Their most common duties and responsibilities include the following:

Selecting or mining the data required to answer specific questions or solve specific problems
Designing surveys or polls or conducting experiments to gather the necessary data
Developing statistical models
Interpreting data and communicating findings with various audiences
Using software to visualize and analyze data that aids business decision-making

Statisticians often need a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics, though some employers may choose to hire candidates with closely related degrees in fields such as data science. Credentials are recommended, and the two most prestigious are the Accredited Professional Statistician (PStat) and Graduate Statistician (GStat) designations from the American Statistical Association (ASA).

According to the BLS, statisticians earned a median annual salary of $104,110 as of May 2023, with those working in the aerospace product and parts manufacturing industry earning significantly more, at $163,360.

Information Research Scientist

Information research scientists are charged with researching and solving complex computing problems across multiple industries, including business and medicine. They often advance modern technology through their efforts to simplify systems, particularly those related to machine learning and cloud computing. Their common job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Exploring issues and problems that plague computers and information
Developing theories and experiments to address computing and information bottlenecks or issues
Conducting experiments to test software, databases, or computer systems
Writing in-depth reports, such as white papers, and presenting their findings at workshops and conferences

Information research scientists must have a master’s degree in computer science, data science, or a related field. No credentialing is required, but the Certified Data Professional (CDP) credential from the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) can improve employability by demonstrating proficiency in data management and analysis.

According to the BLS, computer and information research scientists earned a median annual salary of $145,080 as of May 2023, with those working in the software publishing industry earning almost double, at $233,110.

Get Started in a Cybersecurity or Data Science Career With a Graduate Degree

Cybersecurity and data science are two closely related fields, and while professionals in both fields work with data, their responsibilities are significantly different. Cybersecurity professionals protect networks, systems, and the data within those systems and networks; data science professionals later use the data to extract actionable insights for their employers or clients.

An M.S. in Cyber Security from The University of Tulsa can prepare students interested in pursuing lucrative cybersecurity careers by teaching them the concepts they need to keep computer networks and data safe. Learn more about how a master’s degree provides the future-ready skills required to thrive as a cybersecurity engineer, penetration tester, or director of cybersecurity, as well as numerous other careers.

Find out how you can succeed in cybersecurity with TU.

Recommended Readings

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

11 IT Security Tools for Cyber Professionals

What Is Machine Learning in Cybersecurity?

Sources:

CompTIA, CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner

IBM, Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024

IBM, What Is Cybersecurity?

IBM, What Is Data Science?

Indeed, “Cybersecurity vs. Data Science: Which Field Is Best for You?”

Indeed, 12 Data Science Careers to Pursue (Plus Salaries and Duties)