An insider threat refers to a security risk originating from individuals within an organization who have access to the organization's , , and networks. These individuals can be employees, contractors, or other trusted personnel with legitimate access privileges. Insider threats can be classified into two main categories: and .
Malicious insiders intentionally misuse their authorized access to the organization's resources for purposes. Motivations may include financial gain, revenge, ideology, or a desire to harm the organization. In contrast, negligent insiders do not have malicious intent but may unintentionally compromise security through careless actions or . This could involve actions like falling for attacks or failing to follow security policies.
To mitigate insider threats, organizations should implement strict and the principle of least privilege to ensure employees only have access to the resources they need. Conducting security awareness training programs is essential to educate employees about the risks of insider threats and how to recognize and report activities. Employing monitoring systems and regular audits can help detect and investigate unusual or unauthorized activities on the network and within systems.
Establishing anonymous reporting channels allows employees to report concerns about their colleagues' behavior without fear of . Additionally, organizations should implement Data Loss Prevention () solutions to monitor and prevent the unauthorized sharing or leakage of sensitive data.
