An insider threat refers to a security risk originating from individuals within an organization who have access to the organization's systems, data, and . These individuals can be employees, contractors, or other trusted personnel with legitimate access . Insider threats can be classified into two main categories: and .
Malicious insiders intentionally misuse their authorized access to the organization's resources for malicious . Motivations may include financial gain, revenge, ideology, or a desire to harm the organization. On the other hand, negligent insiders do not have malicious intent but may unintentionally compromise security through careless actions or . This could involve actions like falling for phishing attacks, failing to security policies, sharing passwords, or leaving sensitive data exposed.
To mitigate insider threats, organizations can implement strict access controls and the principle of least , ensuring that employees only have access to the resources they need to perform their job roles. 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 helps detect and investigate unusual or unauthorized activities on the network and within .
Establishing anonymous reporting channels allows employees to report concerns about their colleagues' behavior without fear of . Additionally, implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions helps monitor and prevent the unauthorized sharing or leakage of sensitive .