Take a Look Inside: Managing and Mitigating Insider Risk

"All individuals with access to or knowledge of an organization's computers, networks, facilities, information, or personnel are potential insider threats, including vendors and contractors. The ability to intentionally use or accidentally misuse any of this information can breach confidentiality, reveal trade secrets, cause a data security incident, or harm an organization's personnel, ultimately impacting its reputation and ability to do business."

"As the former Chief Privacy Officer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, I assessed the Department's approach to insider threats, ensuring that the measures put into place effectively mitigated potential risk while safeguarding individuals' privacy and civil liberties. The same considerations are at play in the private sector: effectively reducing potential threats to your organization and its people while facilitating your business and achieving your goals. In short, operationalizing your security."

Proactive mitigation of insider risk is essential to prevent harm from both inadvertent and malicious actions by insiders. Insider threats include any individuals with access to computers, networks, facilities, information, or personnel, encompassing employees, vendors, and contractors. Misuse or unauthorized use of access can breach confidentiality, reveal trade secrets, cause data incidents, and harm personnel, damaging reputation and business operations. Effective insider risk management balances reducing threats with safeguarding individuals' privacy and civil liberties. Each organization must define its specific insider risk profile and operationalize security measures across physical security, personnel practices, and cybersecurity to align with business goals.

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