Difference Between Cyber Security and Computer Science

It is difficult to gauge the importance of computers and computer networks in today’s digital world. To say computers have become an integral part of our society would be an understatement; in fact, in many ways they impact every aspect of our lives. Suffice to say, we are witnessing the birth of a new science. Yet in the last few years the term “Computer Science” has been appearing in use with growing frequency. Computer Science is the study of computers and concerns virtually any endeavor in the computer field. It deals with everything that has anything to do with computers and computational systems.

Cyber security is one of the principal areas of study within Computer Science among others such as networks and security, computing, software and software systems, IoT, artificial intelligence, and more. To understand the domain of cyber security, we must understand the most important artifact within cyber security – malicious software. As it goes, the domain of cyber security is comprised of the body of technologies and practices designed to protect networks and computer programs from attacks that involve malicious software. Being aware of threats and how to prevent them from affecting your computers and networks is the primary object of research in cyber security. However, Computer Science and cyber security are not the same thing.

What is Computer Science?

Computer Science is the science of computers that encompasses everything that has anything to do with computers and computational systems. Computer Science is concerned with what computers are, how they work and how they are used; computer science is mainly concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of systems based upon the use of computers. The most fundamental aspect of Computer Science is problem solving and this is what computer scientists do – write software programs to make computers accomplish tasks more efficiently and quickly. From government organization to large corporations, they all use computer science to perform all sorts of tasks. Computer Science has its own terminology and although, it may sound simple, there’s a lot that goes into what is Computer Science.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is one of the principal areas of study within Computer Science that is comprised of the body of technologies and practices designed to protect networks, devices and computer programs from attacks that involve malicious software. A malicious software or code, as the name suggests, is a code or program designed to breach system security and threaten digital information. Cyber attacks have become an important concern as high-end vulnerabilities keep endangering economies across the globe. It has become more important to put security measures in place to safeguard sensitive data and information. Cyber security is concerned with protecting systems, networks, devices and programs from all kinds of cyber threats. It refers to the practice of protecting the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information. It involves a set of techniques and security measures to protect computer, networks and programs from all types of cyber attacks.

Difference between Cyber Security and Computer Science

Basics of Cyber Security vs. Computer Science

Computer Science is the science of computers that encompasses everything that has anything to do with computers and computational systems and it is mainly concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of systems based upon the use of computers.

Cyber security, on the other hand, is one of the principal areas of study within Computer Science that is concerned with protecting computers, networks, devices and programs from outside sources on the Internet. Cyber security is essentially an important part of a much broader field that is Computer Science among others.

Role  of Cyber Security vs. Computer Science

Cyber security is an emerging discipline that’s entirely dedicated to protecting computerized information. Especially with the proliferation of Internet, the effective ways to ensure confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication of digital information has become more prevalent. Lack of security can damage a business. So cyber security is critical to every organization.

The most fundamental aspect of Computer Science is problem solving and it concerns virtually any endeavor in the computer field. Computer Science is a growing field that impacts the digital and the everyday aspect of our daily lives in countless ways.

Principal Areas of Cyber Security vs. Computer Science

The study of Computer Science is concerned with many principal areas that include computing, graphics, networks and security, operating systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, data mining, database systems, and more.

On the other hand, being aware of threats and how to prevent them from affecting your computers and networks is the primary object of research in cyber security. The three main principles of cyber security are confidentiality, integrity and availability. Cyber security is an important aspect of computer science that deals with security.

Cyber Security vs. Computer Science: Comparison Chart

Summary of Cyber Security vs. Computer Science

In a nutshell, Cyber Security is one of the many aspects of a much broader field that is Computer Science, but so are a dozen of other things such as software development, network security, artificial intelligence, and database management. Despite everything, Computer Science and Cyber Security are two very different things and knowing the differences between the two field is as important as understanding their roles in today’s digital world. Computer Science is the study of computers and concerns virtually any endeavor in the computer field, whereas Cyber Security is an emerging discipline that’s entirely dedicated to ensuring confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication of digital information.

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