Unfortunately for us all, insider threats are not just a theoretical risk.
They are the reality.
In fact, they account for a significant percentage of data breaches.
But what is an insider threat?
Well, simply put – disgruntled employees, corporate spies, or even unwitting staff members who inadvertently compromise security protocols. As the person ultimately responsible for an organization’s technology and data security, the CTO must be adept at identifying and mitigating these threats.
To help you in this endeavour, we’ve outlined the best way to identify potential insider threats. We’ll also share some tips and trick on how to avoid the biggest risks.
Take a look:
Understanding Insider Threats
Did you know that 34% of businesses are impacted by insider threats on an annual basis?
Basically, an issue arises when a contractor, business partner, or employee of the company abuses or misuses their privileges. Because insider threats come from people who already have authorised access to vital systems and data, they are more subtle than external cyberattacks. The latter are usually simpler to spot because of their aggressive character.
Insider threats are especially complicated in the IT and software development businesses because of the environments in which they arise. Such companies are fuelled by creativity, teamwork, and the free flow of ideas—factors that, although vital to advancing technology, also introduce risks. Also, developers, engineers, and IT specialists have deep access to the company’s most valuable assets, such as source code, proprietary algorithms, and customer data.
There are several different types of insider attacks:
- Malicious – perpetrated by individuals within the organization who intentionally seek to cause harm. These insiders often have clear motives, such as financial gain, personal vendettas, or allegiance to competitors.
- Negligent – happen when employees inadvertently cause security breaches due to carelessness, lack of awareness, or failure to follow security protocols. These individuals do not intend to harm the organization.
- Compromised – an external actor gains control over an insider’s credentials or access rights, effectively turning them into an unwitting participant in a cyberattack. It often starts with a successful phishing attempt, malware infection, or the exploitation of a vulnerability in the system.
- Collusive – involve multiple individuals, often including both insiders and external actors, working together to compromise the organization. These attacks are particularly dangerous because they combine the insider’s knowledge of the organization’s systems and data with the external actor’s resources and expertise.
- Unintentional – meaning that employees inadvertently cause harm to the organization through well-meaning but misguided actions. These can stem from a lack of understanding of security protocols, overconfidence in their technical abilities, or simple human error.
Ideally, you won’t have such issues in your company.
However, you need to be prepared to deal with all of the above scenarios. After all, better safe than sorry.
Here’s what we suggest:
Best Practices for Identifying Potential Insider Threats
Identifying any insider threats in IT and software development companies can be a difficult task for any CTO. That’s because contractors, partners, and employees frequently have extensive access to sensitive data and systems.
It’s not a hopeless situation, though.
Here are several strategies that can help you tackle issues before they arise:
Develop a Comprehensive Insider Threat Team
It’s a good idea to assemble a specialised team comprising representatives from IT security, HR, legal, and management. In addition to managing insider threat detection and response activities, this team should be in charge of policy development and risk assessments.
Both the CTO and this team need to conduct regular risk assessments to find potential threats and weaknesses. This entails checking who can access vital resources, figuring out how much those are worth, and how they can be exploited. Next, you need to outline the procedures for identifying and dealing with insider threats.
But that’s only the first step.
Implement Robust Access Controls
This is one of the best strategies to counter insider threats.
Give users the minimal amount of access necessary to carry out their responsibilities by adhering to the principle of least privilege. As a result, if an insider chooses to abuse their access, the possible harm they could do is reduced. As positions and duties within the company change, assess the levels frequently and make the necessary adjustments.
If possible, divide up important tasks so that several people oversee the entire process. For example, in software development, it is recommended that various team members participate in the review and deployment of product. It’s done to minimise the possibility of dangerous code being injected undetected.
Monitor Activity and Behaviour
Install cutting-edge monitoring systems that employ behavioural analytics to find changes in the typical actions of users. For example, if a developer starts downloading critical files they don’t normally work with or starts accessing massive amounts of data outside of regular business hours.
Some of the best insider threat detection tools include:
- Microsoft Defender for Identity
- Splunk UBA
- Code42 Incydr
Or you can get a custom tool developed for your company. It’s the perfect project to outsource.
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Wrap Up
Insider threats are dangerous and unpredictable.
However, as a CTO, you can minimize their damage.
Create a team responsible for managing insider threat detection, assessing risk, and developing suitable policies. Don’t be afraid to implement strict access controls – the less data people see, the smaller the risk. And last but not least – utilise the necessary behavioural analytics and monitoring systems.
Remember:
You are not only protecting your business, but also cultivating a culture of security awareness. Make sure to train your employees how to avoid unnecessary risks and do your best to cultivate the team spirit.
FAQ
What is an indicator of a potential insider threat?
An indicator of a potential insider threat could be an employee accessing sensitive information they typically wouldn’t need for their role. It’s an even bigger red flag if they do it during unusual hours. Another sign might be a sudden change in behaviour, such as increased secrecy or bypassing established security protocols.
What are unintentional insider threats?
Unintentional insider threats occur when employees inadvertently compromise security through careless actions. Those can include clicking on phishing links or mishandling sensitive data. These threats often stem from a lack of awareness or understanding of security protocols.
What is one way you can detect an insider threat?
One way to detect an insider threat is by using behavioural tools that monitor and analyses user activities for deviations from their typical actions. Additionally, keep an eye on your employees – those expressing dissatisfaction or exhibiting signs of financial stress could have a motive for malicious activity.