IT security - a sub-area of information security

By Ivanna Nosel

Published: 29 April 2025

Scientific and technological progress has turned information into a product that can be bought, sold and exchanged. Information is one of the most valuable and important assets of any organisation and must be adequately protected .

With the development of technologies and the digitalisation of the economy, ensuring IT security is one of the most important issues in a company's operations.

Digital dominance has forced companies to rely on the internet, regardless of their size. But technology also brings with it attacks, or cyberattacks . This is where cyber security, IT security and information security come into play.

See all software Computer Security

What is IT security?

Definition

IT security , which is an area of information technology , refers to security measures for the protection of IT devices (computers, smartphones, etc.) and computer networks (private and public networks, including the internet). It comprises the technical, legal and organisational measures required to ensure that only authorised persons have access to data. This is the state of the information system in which it is least susceptible to external damage.

What is information security?

Definition of information security

Information security refers to the protection of network infrastructures and technical systems from accidental or deliberate intrusion (internal or external). It can be information theft and/or blocking of workflows that harm the owners and users of information.

Modern information systems consist of a multitude of elements with varying degrees of autonomy. Since all elements are interconnected and exchange data, any of the elements can be subject to disruptions or failures.

All elements of a modern information system can be categorised into 4 main groups:

Hardware - computers and their components (processors, monitors, terminals, peripherals - drives, printers, controllers, cables, communication lines, etc.);
Software - purchased programs, source code, object, boot modules; operating system and system programs (compilers, linkers, etc.), utilities, diagnostic programs, etc;
Data - data storage systems (temporary and permanent), on magnetic media, printed, archives, etc;
Personnel - service personnel and users who can have a significant impact on information security.

Aim of information security

The purpose of information security is to protect personal data and the supporting infrastructure from accidental or intentional interference. Information security helps to ensure business continuity.

The causes of unintentional impacts can be

Emergency situations (power outage, natural disaster);
Equipment failures and malfunctions;
Software errors;
errors in the work of personnel;
external electromagnetic interference in the connection lines.

Targeted interference with information systems usually occurs for a specific purpose and can be carried out by employees or guests of the company, by employees of a competitor or by authorised specialists.

Targeted interference can be caused by different motivations and objectives:

Dissatisfaction of a company employee with their employer;
financial rewards and benefits;
out of curiosity and self-affirmation;
Obtaining a competitive advantage;
damage to property.

For a successful implementation of information security systems in an organisation, three main principles must be followed: confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Confidentiality means granting access to restricted access resources only to certain users. It also means the complex protection of confidential information against theft, alteration and destruction;
Integrity , i.e. protection against accidental or intentional interference, interruption of transmission leading to loss of information, protection against unauthorised creation or destruction of data;
Availability , i.e. unhindered access for all authorised users to all released resources in accordance with the access rights granted.

What measures should every company take with regard to IT security?

It is necessary to understand that only a systematic and comprehensive approach to data protection can ensure information security. In the information security system, it is necessary to take into account all actual and probable threats and vulnerabilities. This requires continuous monitoring in real time. Monitoring should take place around the clock and cover the entire life cycle of the information.

Phases of creating and providing an information protection system

In order to introduce suitable measures in the company, an IT security concept should first be drawn up. It must describe the procedure and all technical measures for IT security. In practice, the development of an information protection system takes place in three stages:

In the first phase, a basic model of the system to be operated in the company is developed . All types of data circulating in the company must be analysed.
The second phase involves the development of a protection system . This means that all selected methods, means and directions of data protection must be implemented. The system is built in several directions of protection and on several levels. They interact with each other to ensure reliable control of the information.
The third , final phase is to support the system's operability, regular monitoring and risk management. It is important that the protection module is flexible. This allows the security administrator to quickly improve the system when new potential risks are discovered.

Some operational measures and software to apply these measures

Use VPN

OpenVPN from CyberGhost is a versatile open source VPN protocol.

Among other things, CyberGhost offers no-spy servers that are located on site at the company. They are designed for users who are extremely concerned about who might be accessing the VPN servers.

Access control

LastPass, for example, uses 256-bit AES encryption to ensure the protection of your users' information. It's a secure password manager that stores all your usernames and passwords in one secure location. Once you have saved a password, LastPass always remembers it for you.

Use antivirus software

Bitdefender is by far one of the best antivirus programmes available. It's simple, easy to use and has everything you need to protect and clean your device.

Encrypt sensitive data

With winmagic, you can integrate and secure data across your entire IT system, from physical data, files and folders to virtual or cloud-based ones. And everything can be managed from a single console.

Sensitise employees

IT security awareness is very important in an organisation. Training is a formal process to educate employees about computer security. A good security awareness programme should educate employees about company policies for working with information technology (IT).