Recognizing Insider Threats

(OBJ 5.6)

Recognizing Insider Threats

• Insider Threats
  • Involve risks posed by individuals within an organization
• Threats can be intentional or unintentional, arising from various personal factors
• Training employees to recognize anomalous behavior is essential in addressing insider threats

Behavior Indicators

• Altered State or Substance Abuse
  • Employees arriving at work intoxicated or hungover may indicate personal issues
  • Impaired judgment may lead to unintentional data disclosure or misconduct
  • Potential for coercion into making poor security decisions
• Emotional Distress
  • Signs of depression, giving away personal possessions, or emotional turmoil
  • Emotional distress may lead to non-compliance with security protocols
  • Vulnerability to exploitation by malicious parties
• Lifestyle Incongruences
  • Employees demonstrating a lifestyle inconsistent with their finances
  • Investigate cases where an employee's spending doesn't align with income
  • Discreet investigations to rule out illicit activities, theft, or information selling
• Financial Struggles
  • Employees under financial stress may express financial woes to coworkers
  • Financial pressures can make individuals susceptible to bribery or data selling
  • Organizations should have policies in place for handling such scenarios, like financial counseling or monitoring for unusual data access

Building a Robust Insider Threat Program

• Establish an insider threat program to create a security culture
• Encourage employees to report suspicious activities
• Provide training to recognize warning signs
• Implement policies that support mental health and financial well-being
• Ensure fair and confidential investigation processes
• Employ user activity monitoring tools to detect anomalous behavior while respecting employee privacy