Cybersecurity vs. Network Security: Understanding Safeguarding

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jan 28, 2025

Cybersecurity and network professionals at work.

Cybersecurity and network security are often referred to as two sides of the same coin. Both are important for keeping information safe, but the two fields have different functions within the same area. Understanding these differences is key for aspiring professionals.

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Cyber Security degree can prepare students to thwart attacks on networks and information, both now and in the future. These degrees provide knowledge about topics such as the legal and ethical implications of cyber attacks, defensive technologies and how they work, and the fundamentals of network security design.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of information technology (IT) focused on protecting data, systems, and networks from malicious activity, such as a cyber attack. Unlike physical space, cyberspace is virtual, and vulnerabilities can leave it exposed to attackers. In short, cybersecurity aims to prevent cybercrime and cyber fraud.

The advantages of cybersecurity include the following:

Protecting against a broad range of threats with various tools and system
Safeguarding sensitive information, such as bank account details, addresses, telephone numbers, and proprietary data
Reducing the risk of financial losses or harm to a company’s reputation due to cybercrime
Enhancing a company’s overall security, making it more difficult for hackers and cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to data

Cybersecurity involves 24/7 monitoring for vulnerabilities; real-time intrusion alerts; and continuously updating the tools, techniques, and technologies used to keep data, systems, and networks protected.

What Is Network Security?

If cybersecurity encompasses protecting everything that exists within cyberspace, network security is narrower and focused more on safeguarding the space’s infrastructure. It’s a set of rules and procedures that covers a broad range of technologies and devices, and it’s intended to protect the integrity and accessibility of these networks.

The advantages of network security include the following:

Protecting against numerous external threats, such as hackers and malware
Improving a network’s reliability and performance through proper resource allocation and elimination of potential bottlenecks
Meeting regulatory compliance requirements set forth by local, state, federal, and international agencies

The Relationship Between Cybersecurity and Network Security

Network security is a subset of cybersecurity, which is a subset of the broader field of information security. Cybersecurity and network security work hand-in-hand to protect data and devices, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access them. Both use various technical and nontechnical measures to reduce risk and prevent data or network misuse, and both require ongoing monitoring to stay as effective as possible.

The differences between and network security include the following:

Data Protection: While network security primarily focuses on the data flowing through a network, cybersecurity also protects the data residing within devices and servers.
Virus and Similar Protections: Network security keeps information safe from distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, viruses, worms, and trojans. Cybersecurity prevents cyber attacks like phishing and fraud.
Common Examples: Examples of network security are multi-factor authentication (MFA), password regulations, and software updates. Examples of cybersecurity are online authentication and firewalls.

Careers in Cybersecurity and Network Security

Careers in cybersecurity and network security deal with different aspects of information security. As globalization continues, and as more human interaction occurs in cyberspace, the demand for professionals tasked with safeguarding sensitive data will rise.

Penetration Tester

A penetration tester is a cybersecurity specialist often referred to as an ethical hacker who launches mock cyber attacks against organizations’ networks to expose vulnerabilities. Once these vulnerabilities have been exposed in a safe, controlled manner, companies can hire other professionals, such as security engineers or security architects, to address them.

Penetration testers often have the following job duties:

Analyzing systems and networks for vulnerabilities
Designing and carrying out penetration tests to simulate real-world attacks
Creating reports with detailed findings and recommendations for mitigation
Training staff on cybersecurity and network security basics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts, including penetration testers, earned a median annual salary of $120,360 as of May 2023. The BLS projects that employment will rise by a staggering 33% between 2023 and 2033 in response to the growing number of cyber attacks and organizations’ steps to prevent them.

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer hardware engineers are network security specialists who design, build, and test various computer systems and components. They may design components such as routers, networks, and storage devices that keep intruders at bay and protect against unauthorized access. Their primary job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Designing hardware and creating detailed schematics for later reference
Testing the hardware they design against threats, damage, and environmental factors
Updating an organization’s computer systems to work with new software or cybersecurity regulatory requirements
Overseeing and updating the manufacturing of hardware for computers and networks

According to the BLS, computer hardware engineers earned a median annual salary of $138,080 as of May 2023. Those employed in research and development roles in physical, engineering, or life sciences earned significantly more, at $169,260, and those working for the federal government earned slightly less, at $128,020. The BLS predicts that employment in the field will grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, in response to the growing demand for network and computer hardware.

Director of Cybersecurity

A director of cybersecurity is an executive-level position that focuses on managing an organization’s entire cybersecurity team. It involves knowledge of both cybersecurity and network security as well as several years of experience in one or both fields. Individuals in the role are critical to large corporations, with job duties and responsibilities that include the following:

Overseeing the design, development, implementation, and budget for the organization’s cybersecurity and defense
Ensuring compliance with regulations at the company, local, state, federal, and international levels
Scheduling and managing security audits
Hiring, training, and managing cybersecurity and network security staff

The median annual salary of directors of cybersecurity was $169,510 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Those working in IT roles earned significantly more, at $183,370, and those in manufacturing or finance and insurance roles earned $175,540 and $173,090, respectively. Employment is projected to grow by 17% between 2023 and 2033 due to companies’ increased reliance on secure but complex IT systems for their communications.

Cryptography Engineer

Cryptography engineers, also referred to as cryptographers, are skilled information security professionals who use the science of cryptography to protect private data on the internet, systems, and networks. Cryptography involves designing and breaking encryptions and codes and developing various security systems that ensure data privacy. A cryptography engineer’s primary job duties and responsibilities include the following:

Resolving security breaches for organizations and government entities
Designing, building, and implementing various security systems that protect data at different levels
Testing organizations’ or governments’ encryption technologies for problems and vulnerabilities
Managing access systems to allow only authorized users to access certain information
Developing mathematical algorithms and models for analyzing encryption

According to Payscale, cryptography engineers earned a median annual salary of about $115,180 as of November 2023. Projections Central reports that employment of all engineers, including cryptography engineers, will grow by about 3.3%.

Chief Information Security Officer

The chief information security officer (CISO) role was introduced in the late 1990s in response to some of the first major cybersecurity attacks. These top executives are similar to directors of cybersecurity, but they’re responsible for overseeing an organization’s information security efforts, which include both cybersecurity and network security. The primary duties associated with this role include the following:

Developing, implementing, and overseeing security policies within the company designed to protect private, proprietary, or crucial data
Managing cyber- and information-related risks by measuring the organization’s security posture against its objectives
Ensuring the early detection of and response to various security threats through the execution of preventive measures
Communicating with all departments to assess risks and develop risk management processes

The BLS reports that the median annual salary among all top executives in scientific and technical services, including CISOs, was $228,590 as of May 2023. Employment is projected to climb by 6% between 2023 and 2033 due to the need for information security governance and oversight among a growing number of companies.

Network Security Systems Administrator

Security systems administrators install and maintain organizations’ various networks and systems in ways that keep them protected and safe from security risks. They may work with local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), operating systems, servers, storage devices, and communications networks regularly. Their primary duties and responsibilities include the following:

Determining an organization’s security and system needs, then finding the right match of hardware and software to satisfy them
Consulting with organizations about their hardware and software purchasing decisions
Maintaining the security of networks and security systems
Troubleshooting and resolving problems reported by end users or automated systems
Upgrading and repairing networks

The BLS reports that the median annual salary of network and computer systems administrators, including security systems administrators, was $95,630 as of May 2023. Those working in information technology fields earned significantly more, at $104,070, and those working in education-related fields earned less, at about $82,680.

Computer Network Security Architect

A computer network architect designs and implements the data networks needed for communication, including intranets, WANs, and LANs that keep organizations connected. The role falls under the narrower niche of network security and includes various job duties and responsibilities, such as the following:

Designing and planning organizations’ communications networks
Overseeing the processes involved in network implementation, including budgets and deadlines
Managing network and information security
Keeping records like drawings and configurations up to date
Upgrading hardware and software to maintain networks

The median annual salary of computer network architects was $129,840 as of May 2023, and employment in the field is projected to grow by 13% between 2023 and 2033, according to the BLS. Key drivers of growth will be the demand for new IT networks and upgrades to existing networks. As cloud computing continues to gain traction among major organizations, the demand for skilled network architects will continue to climb.

Skills Required to Pursue a Career in Cybersecurity or Network Security

Though the aforementioned cybersecurity and network security careers are different in scope and practice, the professionals working in these fields possess many of the same skills and abilities.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is its own specialized career, but it’s also a crucial skill for anyone working in information security. Using ethical hacking skills to find potential exploits is one of the best ways to avoid data breaches and safeguard against intrusion. Penetration testing is important for those who choose to pursue careers as computer hardware engineers, cryptographers, and other relevant careers.

Incident Response

Despite organizations’ best efforts, sometimes security incidents will still occur. Incident response is a set of actions information security professionals follow to mitigate the impact of a security breach. This expertise is especially important for directors of cyber security and CISOs as they’re often responsible for developing and enforcing these responses.

Data Science

Cybersecurity and network security professionals increasingly rely on data-based tools, such as machine learning and behavior-based analytics, to improve their firewalls and antivirus programs. Data science plays a critical role in this, and the demand for information security professionals who are skilled in data analytics and data science is expected to rise sharply in the coming years, according to Infosec.

Secure Application Development

DevSecOps, which stands for development, security, and operations, combines information security with DevOps practices, tools, and philosophy. This collaborative approach creates a more secure environment for the cross-departmental integration of software development and operations. Despite being a newer trend in the information security realm, it’s in high demand among large companies and organizations looking for safe, rapid deployment of their applications.

Security Analysis

The ability to identify and deal with various information security threats is vital for success in a cybersecurity or network security role. Employers expect their teams to identify and stop attacks before they occur, and when this simply isn’t possible, they expect a quick resolution to breaches and intrusions.

Network Infrastructure

A thorough knowledge of network infrastructure is at the core of a network security professional’s job, but cybersecurity specialists can also benefit from this knowledge. A firm understanding of the infrastructure gives individuals and teams the ability to use the tools available to them in the most efficient and effective ways.

Certifications for Careers in Cybersecurity or Network Security

Though most information security careers don’t require any sort of license or certification, obtaining one or more credentials can boost professionals’ employability. Some of the most common certifications for both cybersecurity and network security professionals are as follows:

Certified Information Systems Security Professional: ISC2 offers the CISSP credential. It’s designed for professionals pursuing roles in the design, implementation, and management of cybersecurity programs. This credential requires five years of work experience, ISC2 membership, and a rigorous examination.
CompTIA Security+: The CompTIA Security+ credential proves its recipients have the knowledge they need to effectively handle cyber threats. It’s available to anyone who has at least one or two years’ experience in an IT-related role and requires passing an examination. It’s widely regarded as one of the best first credentials to seek in a cybersecurity or network security career.
Certified Ethical Hacker: The CEH credential is an entry-level option from the EC-Council that’s best for professionals pursuing roles such as penetration tester or security analyst. Qualifying for the examination requires attending training or gaining two years of experience in information security.
Certified Information Security Manager: The CISM credential from ISACA demonstrates professionals’ ability to accurately assess and manage risks, govern information security teams, and respond to various security incidents. Individuals must pass an examination to receive the credential.
Certified Information Systems Auditor: The CISA credential is also available through ISACA, and it’s generally regarded as the gold standard for auditing, monitoring, and assessing IT systems. Earning the credential requires taking and passing a rigorous examination.
Certified Cloud Security Professional: The CCSP credential is another option available through ISC2, and it demonstrates professionals’ ability to design, manage, and secure a wide range of data and applications in the cloud. It requires five years of work experience and passing an examination.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner: The SSCP credential, also offered by ISC2, is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates professional’’ advanced skills and knowledge of IT infrastructure and its implementation, monitoring, and administration. It requires one year of work experience and is awarded after passing a rigorous examination.

Gain the Skills and Knowledge Needed to Work in Either Field

Discovering whether you want to work in cybersecurity or network security, a niche area of the cybersecurity field, can be quite challenging. Remember that while cybersecurity professionals focus on keeping data traveling through networks and systems safe, network security professionals keep the networks themselves safe.

Pursuing an online M.S. in Cyber Security from The University of Tulsa can prepare you for any of the careers mentioned. Courses focus on topics such as network security design, cryptography, the ethical and legal considerations of cyber attacks, and the foundations of system security. These courses provide the skills and knowledge needed to thrive. Learn more about how TU can help you become a cybersecurity professional.

Recommended Readings

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

What Is Machine Learning in Cybersecurity?

Security Operations Defined

Sources:

EC-Council, Certified Ethical Hacker v13

Forbes, “What Is a Chief Information Security Officer? CISO Explained”

Fortinet, Network Security vs Cybersecurity

GeekforGeeks, Difference Between Network Security and Cybersecurity

IBM, What Is Penetration Testing?

Indeed, 15 Information Security Analyst Skills (Plus Definitions)

Indeed, Systems Administrator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications