We all know that employees are the weakest link in any security chain. Most of the human errors that lead to safety incidents are the result of inattention, lack of concentration or carelessness, and most trainings and educations are aimed at eliminating these errors. However, this blog is not intended to reiterate the importance of employee education and training. No, with this blog we want to highlight employee mistakes that are not the result of inattention or negligence, but are caused intentionally.
Deliberate action to the detriment of the company - an insider threat
Insider threats originate from individuals located within the company, such as employees, contractors or business partners, who have access to sensitive data or systems. These individuals want to cause indirect or direct damage to the company through their actions. The reasons for this can be different - from financial problems, dissatisfaction with work, to ideological beliefs. Because it is a deliberate and planned action, insider threats in a company can cause significantly more damage than errors resulting from negligence. Insider threat management is therefore key to protecting sensitive information, intellectual property, and maintaining corporate integrity.
How to prevent insider threats?
- Employee awareness and training: Regular training and awareness of security policies and protocols and the warning signs of insider threats can significantly contribute to the timely identification and prevention of insider threats.
- Background Check System: It is imperative that a thorough background check process be conducted prior to employment or contracting. This is especially true for individuals who will be employed in positions with a high level of responsibility. By conducting pre-employment background checks, we can identify early warning signs that could pose a risk to our company.
- "Need to know": Employees should only have access to the information and resources they need for the smooth and successful performance of their work tasks. With this, we disable the possibility of a wider leakage of business secrets.
- Measuring organizational climate: Dissatisfaction with the workplace, employer or colleagues is one of the most common causes of intentional, harmful behavior. Make sure that you ensure good relations in the team as much as possible and recognize employees who do not work as part of a homogeneous collective in a timely manner.
- Establishing a clear protocol for reporting irregularities: Give employees clear instructions and instructions on how to act if they detect any irregularities that could lead to the development of internal threats - of course without fear of retaliatory measures.
Managing insider threats requires a comprehensive approach that integrates technology, processes and the company's security culture. Through employee awareness, effective policies and the use of advanced technologies, companies can effectively reduce their exposure to insider threats.
Recognizing that every employee can be part of the problem as well as part of the solution is key to ensuring a safe and trusting work environment.
