An Insider Threat is a security risk originating from within an organisation, often by authorised users.
Characteristics:
- Access to internal systems and data
- Knowledge of organisational processes
- Potential for significant damage due to trusted status
- Can be intentional or unintentional
Types of insider threats:
- Malicious insiders (e.g., disgruntled employees)
- Negligent insiders (e.g., those who accidentally expose data)
- Compromised insiders (e.g., victims of phishing attacks)
Mitigating Insider Threats:
- Implementing strong access controls
- Monitoring user activities
- Providing security awareness training
- Establishing clear security policies
Insider threats can be particularly challenging to detect and prevent due to the legitimate access of the individuals involved.