The Danger of Insider Threats

When asked about cybersecurity and threats posed to businesses and organizations, the first thing that comes to mind is probably hackers, malware, or phishing attacks. An often overlooked danger that can come from within any organization, however, is insider threats. Insiders have the potential to cause just as much, if not more, damage than external attackers.

While some insider threats do originate from malicious or disgruntled employees, the vast majority of insider threats are likely the result of mistakes, inadequate training, or inadequate security practices. What makes insider threats especially dangerous is the access to information that insiders already have as a requirement of their ongoing assigned duties. This insider group likely includes not only employees but also contractors and business partners who may need to maintain access to various systems over time. In the complex landscape of today’s business environment, a multifaceted approach is essential to maintaining operational security.

So, what can you do to protect your organization?

• Implement access controls: Limit access to sensitive data and systems based on principles of least privilege.  Only grant access that is absolutely necessary for the individuals job function
• Regularly review and update permissions: Conduct regular audits of user access rights and remove unnecessary or outdated permissions
• Provide security awareness training: Educate employees about security risks including phishing, social engineering and of course, data handling best practices.
• Monitor user activity: Implement tools and systems that can detect unusual or suspicious behavior.
•  Establish data loss prevention policies (DLP): Define rules for handling sensitive data and implement tools to prevent data exfiltration.
• Create an incident response plan: Have a plan in place for how to respond to and contain insider threats, including procedures for investigation and remediation.

At the end of the day, preventing insider threats requires a combination of technology, policy, and human awareness. We at Macktez are always happy to provide the technical expertise and support to help clients build and maintain robust defenses. With a secure environment businesses can thrive, without worrying about threats from within.