In the world of cybersecurity, when we think of threats, we often picture hackers from outside an organization–strangers attempting to break into systems, steal data, or damage infrastructure. But one of the most risky threats comes from within: insider threats. These threats, brought on by people who have permission to gain access to company systems networks, data, or systems tend to be more difficult to identify and may be even more destructive than threats that originate from external sources.
In this blog we’ll dive into insider risks and their definitions, as well as and the various types that exist, the most prominent examples, and the most important thing, how businesses can guard themselves against these threats.
What Are Insider Threats?
Insider threats are the risk posed by Insider risk is the threat created by contractors, employees and business associates who have access to the system or data that is sensitive to an organization but do so recklessly or in error. Contrary to external cyber-attacks threats are usually more difficult to spot since the perpetrator is within the trust network of the company.
They can be manifested in various ways, from theft of data or leaks of intellectual property, to the sabotage of fraud. Although there are many insider threats that are not harmful, they could cause significant damage whether through negligence or intentionality.
Types of Insider Threats
Knowing the various types threat insiders face is essential to minimizing the threat they pose. Here are the main types:
1. Malicious Insider Threats
Employees or contractors who purposely make use of their privileges for profit or in order to harm others. It could mean taking confidential data, installing malware, or even deliberately destroying systems. Motives behind these acts could vary, and include the desire for financial gain and personal vendettas, or even espionage.
Examples:
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An employee has leaked confidential company information to an opponent.
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A person who is an insider embezzling money by manipulating the accounting records of financial institutions.
2. Negligent Insider Threats
Negligent insiders can be defined as those who have the intention of putting their business at risk through negligence or lack of knowledge. They can misuse sensitive data and fail to comply with security guidelines or be a victim of cyber-attacks using social engineering. Although their actions might not be harmful, the consequences could nonetheless be serious.
Examples:
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A person who leaves their computer unattended in public areas which could expose it to being stolen.
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Sending confidential information accidentally to an unintentional recipient, or using passwords that are weak.
3. Compromised Insider Threats
In some instances an insider could become an unintentional accomplice to an hacker or cybercriminal. It can occur when an insider’s password is hacked or they are coerced to assist in the breach. The criminal makes use of the insider’s access to gain access to the system of the company.
Examples:
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Employee’s credentials are taken in a phishing scam which allows an outside actor to gain access to the internal network of the company.
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A user being tricked to install malware, or granting the ability to access systems.
Why Insider Threats Are Dangerous
1. Access to sensitive data Insiders typically have unlimited access to company’s most sensitive information which includes customer information, trade secrets as well as financial records. This allows individuals to make use of the information without being detected.
2. Trust Level Trust Level: Employees are regarded as trustworthy with access to information and systems and companies generally have a lot of trust in their employees. This trust may make it hard for businesses to recognize or suspect that an insider is involved in a shady act.
3. The Evasion Detection Systems In contrast to external threats, which typically create alarms or are flagged via firewalls. Insider threat typically work within the system’s regular protocols, which makes it more difficult the detection system to recognize suspicious behaviour. Security tools that are traditional may not detect the activity as suspicious, since the individual accountable already has access to the system.
4. Long-Term Damage: Intruder threats could cause lasting damage to an organisation. It could be due to destruction of intellectual properties, reputational damage or financial losses due to data leaks or fraud. The consequences of these incidents could ripple throughout an organization and damage relationships with customers and stakeholders as well as regulators.
Famous Examples of Insider Threats
Knowing real-world examples can help show the dangers that are associated with insider attacks. Here are some high-profile examples:
1. Edward Snowden – National Security Agency (NSA)
The most well-known insider threat cases in recent times, Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor released classified information on U.S. surveillance programs. Snowden was granted access to confidential documents which was downloaded and communicated with journalists. The leak triggered an worldwide ruckus and revealed weaknesses in the security of our nation.
2. Harold T. Martin III – NSA Contractor
An additional NSA employee, Harold Martin, was detained for allegedly having stolen classified information for a period that spanned 20 years. In contrast to Snowden, Martin didn’t leak the data but instead kept the information, which led to significant security issues for the nation. His story highlights the importance of securing the long-term access to sensitive information by individuals who have access to the data.
3. Tesla – Former Employee Theft
In the year 2018 an ex- Tesla employee was charged with taking company data and sharing it with rivals. The insider was believed to be angry and employed his position to extort sensitive data that could have been used to damage Tesla’s competitive position in the market for electric vehicles.
How to safeguard your company from insider threats
Although threats from insiders cannot be eliminated completely However, there are steps that organizations can take to limit the risk and minimize the potential harm.
1. Implement Strict Access Controls
Access to sensitive data is restricted only on a basis of need-to-know. Assure that employees have access to data and systems required to fulfill their job. Employ roles-based access controls (RBAC) to speed up this process and decrease the possibility of an insider stealing their rights.
2. Monitor and Audit Employee Activity
Regular monitoring and auditing will aid in identifying suspicious activities. Install systems that track the user’s behavior, including logs of file access as well as login attempt attempts. Utilize Security information as well as event management (SIEM) tools to study patterns and spot any unusual behavior that might indicate that there is an insider security threat.
3. Regular Security Awareness Training
Instruct employees about the risks from insider threat, specifically reckless insiders. Regularly train employees on the best practices for cybersecurity like using secure passwords as well as recognizing scams and adhering to security procedures of the company.
4. Zero Trust Architecture
Choose the Zero Trust model for cybersecurity that ensures that nobody, within or outside the company is presumed to be trustworthy. This method involves constant verification of all devices and users trying to gain access to network resources. This ensures that even employees are screened for any suspicious activity.
5. Use Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tools
Secure sensitive data at rest and while in transit to safeguard it from unauthorised access. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be configured to stop and identify the unauthorised transmission of data that is sensitive.
6. Conduct Regular Security Audits
Regular security audits and penetration testing are a great way to find weaknesses and limit potential insider threat. Be sure to conduct audits that are thorough and cover internal systems as well as the behavior of employees.
Conclusion
Insider threats pose a serious and frequently overlooked danger for businesses, with the potential to cause serious damages to the company as well as its customers. By identifying the different kinds of threats from insiders, keeping track of employees’ behavior, and taking security measures that are robust, companies are able to reduce their exposure to such threats. Prevention is the key, however alertness, vigilance and proactive measures are vital to safeguard the security and integrity of an organisation.
As threats from inside continue to change, companies must adjust their security strategies to remain in the forefront of any potential threats from within.
