{"id":5143,"date":"2023-09-21T12:56:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T16:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=5143"},"modified":"2024-12-16T14:43:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T19:43:30","slug":"cybersecurity-vs-computer-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/careers\/cybersecurity-vs-computer-science","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The difference between cybersecurity vs. computer science is subtle since cybersecurity is a specialization within computer science. Cybersecurity<\/a> specialists primarily deal with protecting companies, data, and systems from cyberattacks, like ransomware, viruses, or phishing attempts. On the other hand, computer science (CS) is a broad discipline and includes different specializations like data engineering<\/a>, software development<\/a>, and web design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a student trying to understand the difference between the two \u2014 and maybe whether you should get a CS or cybersecurity degree \u2014 it\u2019s a matter of your desired focus, interests, and skills. In this guide, we\u2019ll share the main differences between the two, how to get into each career path, and a quiz to help you figure out which one is right for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to<\/strong> Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science: Which One Is Right for Me? Quiz<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Cybersecurity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cybersecurity is an area of computer science and engineering that protects people, data, companies, and systems from cyberattacks. Implementing cybersecurity practices in your personal life or business can keep you and your data confidential and safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cybersecurity specialists use risk analysis, cryptography, threat analysis, and information security processes to protect users and their data from attackers. Wrongdoers use various methods to steal information and data or shut down systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, an attacker may use phishing emails that appear legitimate to try and steal your data, like login credentials or credit card information. Or, a hacker could use social engineering, where they use text, email, and social media to trick people into giving them information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specializations in Cybersecurity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people on the cybersecurity career path<\/a> specialists in cybersecurity work as analysts, focusing on a specific area of cybersecurity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One central area is communications cybersecurity. In this specialization, security engineers<\/a> and analysts “focus on analyzing data traffic and on the parametrization of the underlying infrastructure to maximize protection while preserving functionality,” says Sergio Tenreiro de Magalhaes, associate professor and chair of cybersecurity programs at Champlain College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another subdivision of cybersecurity is forensic cybersecurity analysis, which involves “identifying what happened in a security incident in an organization, including any internal actors, or assisting law enforcement in collecting evidence of computational devices used while committing a crime,” says Tenreiro de Magalhaes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE: <\/strong>Wondering which cybersecurity career is right for you? Learn more and take a free cybersecurity careers quiz<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas of cybersecurity include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n