How to Protect Against Insider Threats

It’s critical to protect against insider threats, and it’s a team effort. Insider threats are the hazards that surface when someone in your organization who has authorized access to data, computer systems, or security practices misuses their access. Whether intentional or not, insider threats can be detrimental to an organization.

Indeed, management and IT have considerable responsibility for taking precautions against insider threats, but not all responsibility rests with them. Every employee has a role to play. All staff members must understand how to safeguard against threats from the inside.

Here are six tips that all employees should follow to help safeguard against insider threats.

1. 1. Notice Disgruntled Coworkers. Unhappy employees often feel wronged by their employer and want revenge. They may speak poorly of the company or a boss, attempt to sabotage a system, or circumnavigate steps designed to avoid risks. Watch for signals from an employee that could harm your organization. Staff members need to alert managers when behavior is concerning.

1. 1. Keep Your Training Current. Many threats come from simple mistakes or ignorance resulting from inadequate training. Regular training helps employees understand the latest threats and how to avoid them. Staying vigilant helps to keep your organization safe. Moreover, employees should feel encouraged to speak up if they make mistakes. Early intervention can help mitigate adverse outcomes.

1. 1. Review Company Policies and Procedures. Many employees only skim policies and procedures, if at all. Because policies should help protect your business, having everyone demonstrate their understanding with a quiz can help companies to detect when employees don’t understand. Plus, quizzing the staff allows businesses to see when policies need to be updated.

1. 1. Keep Tabs on Suppliers. Vendors and third-party businesses your company works with have team members that could cause an issue that impacts your company. Make sure suppliers have only the minimum access necessary to perform their roles. Management should maintain a dialogue with suppliers about how they vet their new hires and train new staff.

1. 1. Restrict Access. Don’t share passwords or other login details. Nobody should share their access credentials with coworkers or suppliers. Keep your access for you alone. When you share your login, system audit trails will tie you to the actions taken by whoever accesses, adds, changes, deletes, or exports data. The IT department should grant everyone the necessary access to do their jobs.

1. Honor Physical Security. Make sure areas with sensitive data remain locked. Likewise, make certain visitors follow the check-in and check-out policies. To protect your organization, only allow visitors access to permitted areas or escort them if they need access in a restricted zone. Management should consider increasing physical security where gaps exist.

Everyone from the front desk staff to cleaning contractors to managers and the CEO has a role to play in safeguarding against insider threats. For more information about developing a strategy that protects against insider threats in your organization, contact a professional cyber security training company like Athreon. Athreon is one of the best cyber security training businesses that can help your organization protect itself. Contact Athreon for a no-risk cyber security consultation.