Insider threats, both intentional and unintentional, pose a significant risk to organizations, and addressing them requires a comprehensive approach that combines technical controls, employee awareness and training, and robust access management policies.
Malicious Insider Threats
Malicious insiders are individuals who intentionally exploit their authorized access to sensitive data and systems for personal gain, revenge, or ideological beliefs. These threats can cause substantial damage to an organization due to the insiders' intimate knowledge of the company's operations, systems, and sensitive information.
Motivations for Malicious Insider Threats
The motivations behind malicious insider threats can vary, but some common drivers include:
- Financial Gain: Insiders may seek to profit by stealing and selling sensitive data, engaging in corporate espionage, or committing fraud [5][8][11].
- Revenge or Retaliation: Disgruntled employees who feel wronged or mistreated by their current or former employer may seek revenge by exposing sensitive data, sabotaging systems, or disrupting operations [2][5][11].
