Your Basic Guide To Insider Threat

This article explores the different types of insider threats, including Lone wolves and Collaborators. The key to preventing these attacks is to understand the reasons for their existence and act accordingly. This article will help you understand which type of insider is most dangerous and how to deal with them. Then you can develop a proactive strategy to counteract them. But remember, no plan is foolproof. Even if you think you have a great security program in place, you need to consider other aspects of the threat, including how to prevent it.

Negligent insiders

The negative impacts of the insider threat are well documented. In a recent study, a former engineer at Ubiquiti stole company data and attempted to extort his employer of $2 million. The employee was charged with stealing confidential information for personal benefit and fraud. In addition to these, there have been numerous other incidents of insider threats, including disgruntled employees who steal intellectual property and try to get a free ride. While a large number of these incidents are highly publicized, few companies are able to stop the perpetrators from making money from their actions.

One example of this type of insider threat is that of the Boeing engineer Greg Chung. Chung, who was an insider at the company for nearly 25 years, secretly espionaged the Chinese space program and stole sensitive information. Eventually, he was caught, compromising both his employer and the company. Despite his efforts to protect the company, the insider's actions put it at risk.

Because insiders typically have insider knowledge, they pose additional risks to organizations. In some cases, they can compromise critical systems or spread malicious software, which is highly dangerous for an organization. Regardless of the cause, insiders also pose an added risk. Some insiders are also involved in phishing attacks. They can also steal intellectual property, stealing trade secrets, or simply leaking confidential information. Consequently, insiders should be monitored carefully to protect themselves and their organizations.

Collaborators

When employees collaborate with cybercriminals to gain access to a company's data, they are considered collaborators. These individuals often use privileged in-company access to steal intellectual property, customer information, or disrupt operations. Many of these individuals are motivated by personal gain, and the financial industry is a common target. This article discusses some of the most common types of collaboration risks.

Malicious insiders, also known as turncloak, are individuals who intentionally damage an organization by abusing privileged access and degrading systems. These types of individuals can act as collaborators or lone wolves. Collaborators are more likely to share sensitive data than lone wolves, and they are more likely to compromise company assets. Collaborators should be avoided at all costs, as they can compromise the integrity of the company's data and disrupt business operations.

Detecting an insider is not easy, and it can vary with different types of insiders. A negligent insider can be detected by uncovering vulnerabilities before they become compromised, or by uncovering unusual lateral movements. On the other hand, collusive insiders can be detected by identifying their communications with malicious external collaborators, which is particularly useful in detecting these types of insiders. These individuals can be detected via similar methods, including profiling.

Lone wolves

The threat of lone wolf attacks can come in many forms. While foreign born terrorists are a real concern, they can also be domestic. Homegrown violent extremists, or lone wolves, pose a greater threat. The recent Fort Hood attack highlighted this risk and provided a valuable lesson for preventing incidents. These individuals may not even be aware of the threat they pose. Here are some tips for preventing lone wolf attacks.

Detecting the threat of lone wolves requires identifying individuals who may be operating alone. This type of criminal acts without any outside influence and without any prior knowledge. Their behavior is particularly dangerous when they hold high security clearance. One example of this type of attacker is former employees with access to sensitive company information. Such actors may also use their access to company systems to carry out attacks. The use of AI applications may help identify and track potential lone wolf attackers.

The insider threat of lone wolves comes from individuals operating independently with privileged system access. Inadvertently accessing company information, these individuals may cause damage. In some cases, they may not even be malicious; instead, they may be just pawns or goofs. Whatever the case, this type of attack poses a huge risk to any organization. It's essential to have a strong security program that prevents lone wolves and other dangerous individuals from gaining access to sensitive information.