How To Recognize Insider Threats
Every business owner knows that outside hackers are trying to break into their network. However, if your cybersecurity plan is solely focused on external threats, your business could be in immediate danger if you fail to look inward. It’s crucial to be able to recognize insider threats. Anyone who has access to your computer network with malintent is a potential insider threat. This can include existing employees, former employees who still have access to the system, and vendors.
An insider threat is a cybersecurity risk inside the IT network’s security perimeter. This could be an employee mishandling information or an external source that gains access to an insider’s credentials. Insider threats can also be unintentionally created by employees whose credentials have been hacked. These threats can cause data breaches and business thefts, compromising your company’s reputation and safety.
An IT strategy solely focused on external threats can miss a crucial insider threat that can take down your business.
It’s more important now than ever to be able to recognize insider threats since have grown by 47% since 2020 and the costs on average about six million dollars to remedy over a 90-day period. Insider threats are typically motivated by financial gain, emotional gain, and political gain. Financial gain is the most common reason for insider threats compared to the other two.
Insider cybersecurity threats can indeed inflict significant harm on a business. They have the potential to cause financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Therefore, businesses must prioritize robust internal security measures, including access controls, regular monitoring, and employee education, to mitigate these risks effectively.
How To Recognize Insider Threats
- Unusual Network Activity: Keep an eye on any unexpected or unusual network activity, such as large data transfers or access to sensitive information outside of normal working hours.
- Unauthorized Access Attempts: Monitor instances of repeated failed login attempts or unauthorized access to systems or files.
- Changes in Behavior: Be alert to sudden changes in an employee’s behavior, such as disgruntlement, financial difficulties, or unexplained wealth, as these could be indicators of potential insider threats.
- Excessive Privileges: Be cautious of employees who have excessive access privileges that are not necessary for their roles, as this could increase the risk of internal threats.
- Lack of Compliance: Keep an eye out for employees who consistently disregard security protocols or attempt to bypass security measures.
- Unexplained or Unusual Data Movements: Pay attention to any unauthorized or unexplained movements of data, especially when it involves sensitive information or intellectual property.
- External Connections: Be wary of employees establishing unauthorized external connections or using unapproved external devices to access company systems.
By staying vigilant and monitoring these potential warning signs, organizations can better protect themselves against insider cybersecurity threats. Regular security training and awareness programs for employees can also play a key role in preventing insider threats.
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