What is Insider Threating and how to prevent it

What is Insider Threating
Insider threat refers to the potential danger posed to an organization by individuals who have authorized access to sensitive information, data, or systems, but who misuse that access for personal gain or to cause harm to the organization. Insider threats can come from current or former employees, contractors, or business partners. According to a study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, insider threats account for 60% of all cyber attacks. Another research by Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 34% of data breaches involved internal actors, with 25% of those being malicious insiders. Insider threats can take various forms, including theft of intellectual property, sabotage of systems or data, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The impact of insider threats can be devastating, leading to loss of revenue, reputation damage, and legal consequences. Research also suggests that insider threats are often difficult to detect and prevent, as they involve individuals who have legitimate access to the organization’s resources. Therefore, organizations need to implement robust security measures, such as access controls, monitoring systems, and employee training, to mitigate the risk of insider threats.
Research also suggests that insider threats are often difficult to detect and prevent, as they involve individuals who have legitimate access to the organization’s resources. Therefore, organizations need to implement robust security measures, such as access controls, monitoring systems, and employee training, to mitigate the risk of insider threats.
Shiqer
Senior Security Consultant

1. malicious insider
This is an employee who intentionally causes harm to the organization, either through theft, sabotage, or espionage. Malicious insiders may have a variety of motivations, such as revenge, financial gain, or a desire to damage the organization’s reputation. They may use their access to sensitive data or systems to carry out their attacks, and they may be difficult to detect because they have legitimate access to the information they are stealing or damaging.
2. unintentional insider
This is an employee who accidentally causes harm to the organization, either through carelessness or ignorance. Unintentional insiders may inadvertently disclose sensitive information or introduce malware into the organization’s systems. They may also fall victim to phishing attacks or other social engineering tactics, which can compromise their credentials and give attackers access to the organization’s data.
3. privileged insider
This is an employee who has access to the organization’s most sensitive data and systems. Privileged insiders may pose a risk because they have the ability to bypass security controls and access data that is not normally available to other employees. They may also be motivated by financial gain, revenge, or other factors, and they may be difficult to detect because they are trusted members of the organization’s security team.
4. third-party insider
This is a contractor, vendor, or partner who has authorized access to the organization’s systems and data. Third-party insiders may pose a risk because they may not be subject to the same security controls as the organization’s employees. They may also be motivated by financial gain, revenge, or other factors, and they may be difficult to detect because they are not part of the organization’s internal security team.
5. accidental threats
Accidental insider threats are not intentional but can still cause significant damage to an organization. These threats arise when an employee or contractor inadvertently exposes sensitive data or causes a security breach. This can happen due to a lack of training, carelessness, or negligence.
6. phishing insider
Accidental insider threats are not intentional but can still cause significant damage to an organization. These threats arise when an employee or contractor inadvertently exposes sensitive data or causes a security breach. This can happen due to a lack of training, carelessness, or negligence.
How to prevent insider threating
Custom software solutions have emerged as an effective way to prevent insider threats and safeguard sensitive data. Custom software solutions are tailored to the specific needs of a business, and can help identify and prevent insider threats by providing real-time monitoring, data analytics, and other advanced features. Here are some scientific statistics and facts that demonstrate how custom software solutions can help prevent insider threats and make businesses grow rapidly.
Real-time monitoring: Custom software solutions can provide real-time monitoring of employee activities, including their access to sensitive data, files, and applications. This can help detect any anomalies or suspicious activities, and alert the relevant authorities in real-time. According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, organizations that have implemented real-time monitoring have experienced a 63% reduction in the cost of insider threats.
Data analytics: Custom software solutions can also leverage advanced data analytics to identify patterns and trends in employee behavior, and detect any deviations from the norm. This can help prevent insider threats before they occur. According to a study by Accenture, data analytics can help reduce the risk of insider threats by up to 50%.
Access controls: Custom software solutions can also provide granular access controls, allowing businesses to restrict access to sensitive data and applications to only those employees who need it. This can help prevent unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive data. According to a study by Verizon, access controls are one of the most effective ways to prevent insider threats.
Employee training: Custom software solutions can also be used to provide targeted employee training, helping employees understand the risks of insider threats and how to prevent them. According to a study by the Security Executive Council, organizations that provide regular employee training on insider threats have experienced a 50% reduction in the number of incidents.
In conclusion, custom software solutions can help prevent insider threats and make businesses grow rapidly by providing real-time monitoring, data analytics, access controls, and employee training. With the increasing risk of insider threats, businesses need to invest in custom software solutions to safeguard their sensitive data and prevent costly data breaches.