What is an Insider Threat?

Types of Insider Threats

An insider threat may be executed intentionally or unintentionally. Here are 3 types of insider threats:

1. Careless Insider

Unintentional insider threats can be from a negligent employee who unknowingly exposes the system to outside threats. This is the most common type of insider threat, resulting from mistakes, such as leaving a device exposed or falling victim to a scam. For example, an employee who intends no harm may unintentionally click on an insecure link, infecting the system with malware.

2. Malicious insider

Malicious insider threats, also known as Turncloaks, are those who maliciously and intentionally abuse their privileged access to steal information or degrade systems for financial or personal incentives. For example, an individual who holds a grudge against a former employer, or an opportunistic employee who sells confidential information to a competitor. Malicious insiders have an advantage over other attackers because they are familiar with the security policies and procedures of an organization, as well as its vulnerabilities.

3. A Mole

A mole is an outsider but one who has gained insider access to an organization’s privileged network. They may pose as a vendor, partner, contractor, or employee, thereby obtaining the privileged authorization they otherwise would not qualify for. Their intent is to abuse this level of access to steal and sell data or use it for other malicious purposes, such as threatening to leak confidential information if an organization doesn’t comply with their demands.

Moles often exploit the existing business relationships of a company since most organizations work with various freelancers and contractors. They use stolen credentials or social engineering to gain access to this extended network and the company data that legitimate business partners work with.

No matter the intent, the result is the same – the compromised information security of an organization.

Examples of Insider Threats

Here are three examples of insider threats from recent memory:

1. WikiLeaks (2010): Former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning downloaded and leaked classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. Manning had legitimate access to these documents due to her job role but bypassed security protocols to download them onto unauthorized devices.
   
   Manning may have used removable storage devices like USB drives to transfer the classified data. She might have also exploited trust relationships with colleagues to gain access to additional information or bypass security measures.
2. Equifax Data Breach (2017): This massive breach exposed the sensitive data of over 147 million Americans. A temporary employee with administrative access to a server containing personal information exploited a vulnerability in Apache Struts, a web application framework. The vulnerability allowed unauthorized access through a specially crafted web request. The employee used this to gain access to the server and download vast amounts of data.
   
   Apache Struts had a known vulnerability (CVE-2017-5638) that was exploitable through a remote code execution (RCE) attack. The insider likely used a publicly available exploit kit to target the vulnerable server and gain access. Once in, they could move laterally within the network and access sensitive data.
3. The SolarWinds Attack (2020): While this was an advanced external breach, there were inevitable internal components as well. Cybercriminals injected their code into one of the most popular distributor’s products (SolarWinds) that was used at numerous federal departments and private organizations. Huge data breaches were perpetrated with insider’s access and the systems were manipulated without causing alarm. This attack brought out the fact that third-party suppliers/ insiders could contribute inadvertently towards large-scale cyberattacks.
4. Uber’s 2022 Data Breach: The same year in 2022, uber fell prey to a massive hack involving a data breach through an employee login. This attacker was successful at getting personal information and bypassing the company message structure to infiltrate the mainframe. In this case, the breach could also have been prevented if there was enhanced authentication measures and educating the staff on how to identify such scams.
5. Twitter Insider Breach (2023): Allegations roamed in 2023 that a former holder of a Twitter account had allegedly tapped into the private account data of users and sold phone numbers. This case shows if employers were allowed to have relatively high levels of privacy and access to the system, then even a few of them could do a great deal of damage. Specifically, vulnerabilities of Twitter involved the absence of proper authorization mechanisms as well as inadequate supervision.

These are just a few examples, and insider threats can take many forms. They highlight the importance of both technical controls (like patching vulnerabilities) and a strong security culture within organizations.

Indicators of Insider Threats

Learning the signs of the insider threat is very important so that action can be taken appropriately. Sometimes you don’t know who may be dangerous within the company but there are signs that one is a threat to the company or organization. Have you wondered how you can identify the insider threat before he or she brings calamities to the organization? Below are some of the most common signs to detect insider threats:

1. Unusual User Behavior

The best way to identify insider threats tends to involve analyzing users’ behaviors for signs of the unexpected. This can be achieved through analyzing the access logs, spying on the file movement, and analyzing the traffic within the network. If an employee starts using systems or data that she or he is not supposed to use, or if he or she uses systems or data after working hours, a cause for concern arises. Tools such as the User Behavior Analytics (UBA) can offer information about breakdowns in various behavioral habits.

2. Disruptions in Work Patterns

Insider threats do not necessarily go against organizational policies, instead, it is an act of introducing slow changes within an organization. Mentally, an employee who is normally interactive and willing to work may just transform into a completely cold person. If there is any shift in schedule, be it early arrival or early departure or lack of any scheduled arrival at all, then this may well point to a problem. Employees might be frustrated or dissatisfied in performing their roles and this may mislead them at some point.

3. Accessing Information Beyond Job Scope

Although managing the anomalies or irregularities of the network traffic is very important, equal consideration should be placed to the kinds of data that are being retrieved from the Web. For example, if an employee from the HR department, who has no direct responsibilities in the finances, starts working with financial information, or a programmer who has no connections with customers starts to open their records, it raises suspicion. Traditionally insiders with improper purpose begin viewing information apart from their routine business before advancing to larger-scale cybercrimes.

4. Behavioral Changes and Stress Indicators

Symptoms of stress like temper tantrums, erratic behavior, or cases of being away from work are some of the telltale signs of insider threats in the making. A person who is in a state of personal or financial distress will be under pressure to perpetrate fraud or become the target of social engineering. In such cases, maintaining open communication with the employees can allow one to notice such signs earlier enough.

5. Inconsistent Device and Software Usage

Another clear indicator of an insider threat is the loss of a company’s property or theft of equipment by the employee or unauthorized installations of programs and use of some peripheral equipment. Those who download applications to their company-owned devices without appropriate consent from IT will be doing so on the basis of having the protection that is required and those who use their own devices to connect with company systems may well be circumventing the recommended protection. Specifically, controlling software usage and tracking the devices using the relevant information lets one notice problematic situations.

How to Stop Insider Threats

Identifying insider threats is already a major problem, but it is even more important to prevent such incidents. Here’s how organizations can put preventive steps in place.

1. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)– One of the best security practices is ensuring that every employee receives the barest level of privileged access required for their job. This is referred to as the principle of least privilege. Denial of access to data and systems minimizes the risks of the insider either intentionally or inadvertently compromising an organization’s security.
2. Conduct Regular Security Awareness Training– One of the main factors behind insider risks is human mistakes. Phishing threats, threats from IT administrators, and weak password policies are some of the insider threats that organizations can prevent by creating awareness among their employees. There should be clear instructional training carried out frequently and in the form of sessions to engage employees and ensure that they understand the risks involved.
3. Enforce Strong Authentication and Access Controls– Ensuring and adopting MFA and strong passwords as part of the password policy can help to protect access to the systems and information. MFA greatly reduces the ability of the attacker, even if the attacker possesses the correct credentials, to access sensitive information. They should also be checked periodically and changed anytime the employee handling a specific security level moves to another position or when the employee is terminated.
4. Use Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies– DLP solutions assist organizations to watch and prevent the improper sharing of different forms of data. Through the filtering of data movements that are considered high risk or through the restriction on data and file transfer outside the network, DLP prevents insiders from sharing or stealing information.
5. Foster a Strong Security Culture– This statement means that security is as much an individual responsibility as it is an organizational one. Management needs to create a culture that would ensure that employees know the risks the organization is exposed to as well as the need to avoid compromising organizational data. A good security culture prepares the employees to report unusual activities without any form of repercussions from employers. In addition, there must be enhanced trust and a proper means of communication through which annoyance that may in turn cause malevolence can be dealt with effectively.

Who is at Risk of Insider Threats?

Unfortunately, it has become rather usual today that no organization is fully protected from insider threats. It does not matter if you run a small startup, or you are a multinational company, all are vulnerable to insider threats. And this is not just about the size of an organization, but about who has access to key information as well as systems and knowledge that belongs to the organization. An initial task of insider threat mitigation is the identification of insiders at risk. Let’s break it down:

1. Employees with Access to Critical Data– Those who directly deal with sensitive data at the company include the human resource department, employees of the financial department, and information technology personnel. These people are in a position where they get to handle valuable and often proprietary information which then makes them potentially a risk of either unintentionally or with intent, leak that information to someone else. For instance, a payroll officer may transfer sensitive information to the wrong person via mail or an IT administrative officer may review more details than the permitted scope of work.

2. Contractors, Vendors, and Third-Party Partners– Hiring third-party providers is a common practice in various organizations due to the outsourcing of different tasks, including software development, payroll processing, etc. Although these third-party partners provide an effective way of reducing material costs and other expenses most of the time they act as a threat. Even if you are unrelated to a particular form of attack, an unauthorized third party can install risks into your systems. Just one vulnerability in a third-party partner’s network could be catastrophic for your organization.

3. High-Level Executives– C-level executives or other managers usually have full and even confidential data on the company’s activities. This makes them get on the radar of hackers, who may otherwise blackmail them into releasing or using this information. They also become disgruntled and start to act as a negative insider, which is the executives themselves. These individuals could easily avoid several security protocols depending on the amount of trust they have in the organization.

4. Employees Facing Personal or Financial Stress– When an employee is experiencing personal problems such as debt, family problems, or dissatisfaction at work they are likely to be exploited. Many insiders’ attacks are motivated by desperation, who get access to the company’s assets and data and then sell the access or simply use the data to make quick profits. This is a reminder that the state of mind as well as the employers’ workforce has to have optimum health for minimal cases of insider threats.

5. Former Employees with Lingering Access– In many cases, organizations are not as rigorous in removing access when an employee departs from the company. If the person has left the organization but the credentials that they were provided remain valid, it will only take them a few moments to come back and wreak havoc. A former employee may just hold a personal grudge against the company or just exploit the fact that they retain access for the company’s detriment.

How to Report Insider Threats to Authorities

Reporting an insider threat is a crucial step in maintaining the security of an organization. If you suspect or have evidence of insider threat activity, follow these general steps:

1. Follow Company Policy

Check your organization’s policies and procedures regarding reporting insider threats. Many companies have specific guidelines for reporting security incidents.

2. Contact IT or Security Department

Reach out to your organization’s IT or security department immediately. They are typically responsible for handling security incidents.

3. Provide Detailed Information

· When reporting, be prepared to provide as much detailed information as possible, including the nature of the threat, individuals involved, specific incidents, and any evidence you may have.

4. Use Anonymous Reporting Channels

Some organizations have anonymous reporting channels to encourage employees to come forward without fear of reprisal. Check if such channels exist and use them if necessary.

5. Document Evidence

If you have any evidence such as emails, documents, or other digital artifacts, make sure to document and preserve them. Do not tamper with any evidence.

6. Maintain Confidentiality

Be discreet about the information you possess to avoid compromising ongoing investigations. Share details only with authorized personnel.

7. Cooperate with Investigations

If an investigation is initiated, cooperate fully with the designated security or legal personnel. Your input may be crucial to resolving the issue.

8. Report to Higher Authorities if Necessary

If you feel that the internal reporting process is not effective or if the threat involves high-level personnel, you may need to report to higher authorities, such as senior management or legal departments.

9. Escalate to Law Enforcement if Required

In extreme cases, where there is a serious threat or criminal activity, it may be necessary to involve law enforcement. Coordinate with your organization’s legal team before taking this step. Remember, insider threat situations can be complex, and it’s important to follow the appropriate procedures to ensure a thorough and lawful investigation. Always prioritize the safety and security of your organization.