External attacks are not the only cyber security threats an organization has to consider when planning their cyber security strategy. While you are busy fighting against cyber security threats like spyware or ransomware, the biggest threat your organization could originate from within.
Insider threats pose a growing threat to security, with the number of incidents growing 44% over the past two years and the cost of these incidents have also increased.
To prevent data loss by insiders, you need to first understand who the insiders could be and identify where the insider threat is originating from.
An insider threat is when someone with legitimate access to your network and has the potential to intentionally or unintentionally contribute towards harming your organization.
These insiders can be broadly classified into 3 types:
All three types of threats pose a danger to the organization and need to be detected and curbed before they can cause damage.
Insider threats are hard to detect since they are caused by trusted individuals with access to sensitive company data. According to a global study spanning over a 12 month period, the cost of activities to resolve insider threats is $15.4 million. (Highest cost recorded in North America at $17.53 million). Remember, this is just a rough estimate and organizations have reported 100s of millions of dollars in losses due to fines, SLA breaches, and intangible losses like diminished brand value and customer loyalty.
Insider threats are difficult to detect because:
Although insider threat indicators are often difficult to differentiate from regular work routines, there are few giveaways to finding insider threat activity. These include individuals who are:
Curbing insider threats is not a one-time activity but a continuous process. Although it is difficult to eliminate insider threats, they can be minimized with the help of smart network security monitoring tools and by deploying employee best practices.
ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer has been helping network security admins across the globe safeguard their organizations from threats. It boasts a wealth of features—such as employee internet usage monitoring, URL monitoring, change monitoring, and more—to aid in insider threat detection. Try Firewall Analyzer free for 30 days.
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