What characterizes an insider threat?

The characterization of an insider threat is defined by the risk that originates from within the organization itself, primarily involving current or former employees, contractors, or partners who have inside information concerning the organization's security practices, data, or computer systems. These individuals have legitimate access to the organization's resources, which allows them to misuse their access and cause potential harm, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The insider might exploit their privileges to steal sensitive information, sabotage systems, or facilitate an external attack.

In contrast to this, security risks that originate from outside the organization, such as external attacks or risks posed by third-party vendors, are not considered insider threats. While these are significant security concerns, they do not involve individuals who are part of the organization’s internal structure. This distinction is crucial for developing effective security policies, as the measures to mitigate insider threats must focus on monitoring internal behavior and securing access controls, whereas external threats often require perimeter defenses and intrusion detection systems.