IT vs. Cybersecurity: How Are They Different?

Written by: University of Tulsa • Apr 27, 2026

Two cybersecurity professionals consult a laptop.

The modern business world relies on technology. Computers, mobile devices, software applications, and the internet allow business professionals to complete their tasks and achieve their goals more efficiently than ever before. This importance correlates to the high demand for qualified technology professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an average of 317,700 computer and information technology (IT) job openings will be available each year through 2034.

Technology roles in business fall into several categories; two of the most prominent are IT and cybersecurity. While IT and cybersecurity share some similarities, they are different in key ways. If you’re interested in an advanced role in business technology, comparing the educational paths and potential careers for these two roles can be helpful.

What Is IT?

IT is a broad field that incorporates all of the technology and devices that process, store, safeguard, and share electronic data. These devices range from computers connected to a system or network to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smartphones or self-driving vehicles, connected via cloud technology. Professionals in the IT field focus on a system’s functionality, developing and maintaining its infrastructure, troubleshooting its performance issues, and overseeing its security.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a specialized branch of IT. Professionals working in the cybersecurity field focus on protecting networks from cyber attacks and storing data from cybercriminals and other unauthorized users. They also proactively check for system vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by disruptive agents and ensure that data access is limited to authorized users. This can mitigate the chances of data breaches as well as serious malware-driven issues like ransomware.

A Quick Comparison: IT vs. Cybersecurity

The best way to learn about the differences between IT and cybersecurity is to examine each field separately. Salary information on IT and cybersecurity careers comes from 2024 data from the BLS and O*Net Online, a career statistics website funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Definition

Cybersecurity: A specialized field of IT that focuses primarily on protecting networks and stored data from cyber attacks
Information Technology (IT): A broad field encompassing all technology and devices that process, store, safeguard, and share electronic data

Primary Responsibilities

Cybersecurity:
- Develop cybersecurity protections
- Check systems for vulnerabilities to improve protection
- Continuously update defenses as technology evolves
IT:
- Improve system functionality
- Maintain an organization’s digital infrastructure
- Troubleshoot performance issues

Common Career Paths and Salaries

Cybersecurity:
- Information Security Analyst: $124,910
- Network Security Engineer: $108,970
- Penetration Tester: $108,970
IT:
- IT Technician: $61,550
- Web Developer: $95,380
- Systems Analyst: $103,790

Education Requirements

Cybersecurity:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field
- Advanced degree in cybersecurity (master’s preferred), especially for senior roles
IT:
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or a related field

Similarities and Overlap

Professionals working in both IT and cybersecurity are closely involved in the development of their company’s technology-based strategies, and their input is crucial to maintaining the optimization of the organization’s computer systems or networks.

Apart from having a firm grasp of essential technical skills, both IT and cybersecurity professionals must have strong analytical skills to monitor the performance of and identify vulnerabilities in the organization’s computer systems or networks.

Because of the increased emphasis on integrating tech-driven solutions into business strategies, both IT and cybersecurity professionals can pursue roles in a wide range of industries. Private sector employers include financial firms, insurance companies, health care organizations, IT service providers, and various government agencies.

Differences

The biggest difference between IT and cybersecurity is the scope of the fields. IT focuses on an organization’s entire technology infrastructure, from development to ongoing evolution as it changes to stay current.

Cybersecurity centers on protecting systems and networks from data breaches and attacks, relying on proactive strategies designed to stay one step ahead of cybercrime.

Professionals working in IT develop and support a company’s computer networks, systems, and applications. Those working in cybersecurity are more concerned with the digital information that’s entered and stored within these elements.

IT vs. Cybersecurity: Career Pathways

The IT and cybersecurity fields each have different potential career paths. Overall, computer and information technology professions are expected to grow much faster than average between 2024 and 2034, with an estimated 317,700 job openings projected each year during that period, according to the BLS.

Key IT roles include:

IT Technician: Analyze and diagnose computer issues, typically in collaboration with support specialists
Systems Administrator: Manage and maintain access to servers.
Web Developer: Develop and maintain an organization’s website, including its functionality
Systems Analyst: Analyze a system’s design to spot inefficiencies and recommend streamlining solutions

Key cybersecurity roles include:

Information Security Analyst: Oversee an organization’s computer networks, keeping watch for potential cybersecurity-related episodes such as breaches
Security Analyst: Monitor systems and seek out potential vulnerabilities to safeguard.
Network Security Engineer: Develop and oversee various security components within an organization’s network, such as firewalls or virtual private networks
Penetration Tester: Administer security tests on an organization’s tech-based systems to detect vulnerabilities

IT and Cybersecurity Salaries

In general, cybersecurity professions have higher salaries and job outlook figures than IT roles. For example, computer systems analysts, who are under the IT umbrella, earned a median annual salary of $103,790 in 2024. They also have a projected career growth of 9% between 2024 and 2034, per the BLS.

On the other hand, information security analysts, who fall under the cybersecurity umbrella, earned a median annual salary of $124,910 in 2024. They have a projected career growth of 29% between 2024 and 2034, according to BLS data.

Choosing a Path: From IT to Cybersecurity

If you’re an IT professional looking to transition into cybersecurity, there are two steps you can take to fully prepare to make the transition to a career in cybersecurity.

Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree

While a bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum required for IT and cybersecurity roles, earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Cyber Security, can deepen your cybersecurity knowledge and skill set. This can help prepare you for the responsibilities and tasks of a cybersecurity role, making the transition more streamlined. Additionally, an advanced degree may open up more opportunities, as some employers may require it for certain cybersecurity roles.

Step 2: Gain Cybersecurity Certification

After earning a degree, seeking a cybersecurity certification can help you further refine your expertise in a specific area of cybersecurity. Certifications include the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), and GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) credentials.

Prepare for a Bright Future in Cybersecurity With The University of Tulsa

Closely examining IT and cybersecurity reveals the similarities and the differences between the two fields. Professionals in both help their companies maintain technology systems that operate on efficiency, security, and safety. As the business world leans further into tech-driven solutions to business problems, these professionals will remain vital to their organizations’ success.

The University of Tulsa’s online Master of Science in Cyber Security program can help you grow your career by preparing you to pursue roles in cybersecurity. Our program is designed to further your expertise in IT while also enabling you to deepen the knowledge and skills needed to stay one step ahead of cybercrime.

This program can be a good fit for IT professionals looking to advance into cybersecurity. Graduates can also prepare for relevant industry certifications through prep courses within the curriculum.

Learn how TU’s M.S. in Cyber Security can help you get ready for success.

Recommended Readings

AI and Access Security: How It’s Changing the Industry

C-Suite and Cybersecurity Professionals: How They Collaborate

What Is an Information Security Analyst?

Sources:

IBM, “What Is Cybersecurity?”

IBM, “What Is the Internet of Things (IoT)?”

Indeed, “IT Skills: Definition and Examples (and How to Improve Them)”

Indeed, “12 Must-Have Cybersecurity Skills (and How to Improve Them)”

Indeed, “21 Different Types of IT Careers to Explore”

Indeed, “Understanding IT Security vs. Cyber Security (With FAQs)”