Insider threats are a type of security threat that comes from within an organisation. These threats can come from employees, contractors, or other people with authorised access to an organisation’s systems and data. Insider threats can pose a serious security risk to an organisation because they often have access to sensitive information and can bypass security controls.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the motivations for insider threats can vary greatly. However, some common reasons for why people may choose to commit insider threats can include a desire to harm the company or organisation they work for, financial gain, or revenge. Additionally, some people may be coerced or blackmailed into committing insider threats.
There are a few ways to mitigate insider threats:
Improve security awareness and training. Employees should be aware of the dangers of insider threats and how to spot them. They should also know what to do if they suspect that someone is trying to commit an insider attack.
Implement least privilege principles. Employees should only have the permissions and access that they need to do their job. This will limit the damage that an insider can do if they are compromised.
Monitor user activity. Organisations should monitor user activity and look for unusual or suspicious behaviour. This can help to identify potential insider threats before they can do any damage.
Invest in security controls. Organisations should invest in security controls that can detect and prevent insider threats. These controls can include data loss prevention tools, activity monitoring tools, and user behaviour analytics.
Did you know, the recent rise in remote work has made insider threat detection and prevention even more difficult, as it is more difficult to monitor employee activity when they are not in the office.