The Insider Threat is Real and it’s Now

What is an Insider Threat?

Is the threat to your organization someone you know and trust? An Insider Threat may be intentional or just bad work habits, poor training and personal behaviors. Both intended and unwitting threats are significant problems. Ignoring questionable behaviors can only increase the potential damage the insider can have on your organization, the national security and/or employee safety. While each insider threat may have different motivations, the indicators are generally consistent.

Be Alert! Be Aware! Report suspicious activity to your local security official. See something, say something. Nine times out of ten, after an attack on data or people, someone realizes they knew something that could have stopped or reduced the damages, or even deaths.  

Insider Threat Examples of possible Reportable Behaviors – Information Data Collection

  • – Keeping classified materials in an unauthorized location
    • – at home, car, backpack, bag, personal server
  • – Attempting unauthorized access to private or classified data information
  • – Obtaining access to sensitive information beyond the requirements of a person’s job
    • – A request from a worker or team member to provide access or documents without a current need or out of their project access
  • – Questionable data or file downloads
    • – Gathering information which has no relevancy to assigned work
  • – Unauthorized use of removable media and moving files without permission
  • – Using an unclassified medium to move classified materials
    • – Unsecured faxing, thumb drives, external hard disks
  • – Discussing classified topics and materials on non-secure phones, using non-secure emails or texts
    • – Use of cellphone in or out of workplace on home phone or personal email or texting
  • – Removing the classification markings from documents
    • – Changing the classification or observing deleting classified markings
  • – Unnecessary or excess copying of classified materials
    • – Nervous behaviors around unusual activities
    • – Moving data to external drives or any out of pattern heavy usage of copy machines
  • – Expressing loyalty to another country or for a radical cause
    • – Displays desire to help, assist or fight for a foreign faction
  • – Concealing reportable foreign travel or contact
  • – Sudden reversal of financial situation or a sudden repayment of large debts or loans
    • – Mysterious purchase of new car, expensive jewelry or large investments
  • – Being disgruntled to the point of discussing or writing about the desire to retaliate
    • – “I’ll get them for this” or “she’s going to pay for that”
  • – Repeated or unrequired work outside of normal duty hours
  • – Bringing an unapproved BYOD or work device into a unauthorized or controlled area


What’s in it for me to take the risk of reporting something?

Insiders have a negative impact on your industry, our nation’s security and safety and well-being of the citizens. Not reporting can seriously affect your career or even cause you big legal problems. The effect of not reporting, often will result in:

Not reporting can seriously affect your career or even cause you big legal problems.
The effect of not reporting, often will result in:

  • – Loss or compromise of private information, of classified or controlled and sensitive information
  • – Military weapons can be reproduced, destroyed, or rendered ineffective
  • – The country’s loss of technological competitiveness or superiority
  • – Financial loss, company brand and image damage causing layoffs or slowing economic growth
  • – Public utilities and infrastructure damage and physical harm, and loss of life

Take the Insider Threat seriously. It’s worth doing the right thing over the cost of keeping quiet. 

To find out what steps you can take in creating Insider Threat awareness, and the requisite change management for your organization, call Susan Morris or Tom Jenkins today.  
480-222-7507 office or 480-227-5134 direct