Top High Risk Behaviors to Watch

An insider threat is a category of risk posed by those who have access to an organization's physical or digital assets. These insiders can be current employees, former employees, contractors, vendors, or business partners who all have -- or had -- authorized access to an organization's network and computer systems. For secure cyber defense against an insider threat, you have to keep an eye on anomalous behavioral and digital activity. With a baseline of data, risk scores for user behavior tied to specific events can be assigned and in turn deviations can be flagged and investigated.

One seemingly harmless move by a negligent contractor or malicious theft by a disgruntled employee can jeopardize a company’s data and IP. These situations can lead to financial or reputational damage as well as a loss of competitive edge.

Security leaders can start detecting insider threat indicators before damage occurs by implementing technology that analyzes employee, endpoint and data activity to proactively mitigate critical risk.

What is an insider risk score?

An insider risk score is a quantitative measurement of the potential risk posed by an individual employee or group of employees to an organization's security. It is a way for organizations to assess the likelihood of insider threats and to prioritize their security resources accordingly.

An insider risk score is typically calculated based on a variety of factors, including:

• Access level: The level of access an employee has to sensitive information or critical systems.

• Job function: The nature of an employee's job and the role they play in the organization.

• Behavioral patterns: An employee's past behavior, including any suspicious activities or incidents.

• Work performance: An employee's performance at work, including any changes in work patterns or deviations from established norms.

• External factors: Any external factors that may impact an employee's behavior, such as financial difficulties or personal stressors.

Using these factors, a baseline can be established, and an insider risk score can be calculated for each employee. This can help organizations to identify employees who may pose a higher risk and take appropriate actions to mitigate that risk.  

Common Insider Threat Warning Signs

Keeping an eye out for suspicious occurrences, will give you a far better chance of thwarting a malicious insider threat, even if it’s disguised as an unintentional act. Here are a few examples of actors and behaviors that could indicate risk.

• Unusual Login Behavior
  There is a distinct pattern to user logins that repeats day after day. Any login that deviates from the baseline pattern may indicate a threat. An increase in attempts to log into systems could be a red flag. Likewise, your authentication logs may start filling up with numerous unexplained occurrences of “test” or “admin” username attempts. Anything that strikes you as out of the ordinary warrant’s investigation.

• Access attempts to other devices or servers containing sensitive data
  It’s not unusual for employees, vendors or contractors to need permission to view sensitive information. It becomes a concern when an increasing number of people want access to it, or when someone views data not pertinent to their role. 

• Large quantities of data either saved or accessed by a specific user
  It’s normal for certain roles or teams to download large files or for HR to save large employee or payroll databases on a regular basis. But if you begin to see significant downloads of data that can’t be explained, or that occur during odd times of the day or from strange locations in which you don’t typically do business, something is likely amiss.

• Emails containing sensitive data sent to a third party or unsecured location in the cloud
  The truth is that email is not a secure channel for sending information.  Therefore, if highly sensitive data or information is shared in an email, whether written in the body or as an attachment, it should be flagged as a risk.

• Remote access to network and data at non-business hours or irregular work hours
  No doubt post pandemic work styles have drastically shifted from the traditional 9 to 5 office schedule. However logins happening remotely, from unusual locations, or during odd hours could be a sign of trouble.

• Frequent access requests to data unrelated to the employee’s job function
  If you’re structuring your access privileges properly, you’ll have particular people or roles that are granted access to necessary applications. When unauthorized people attempt to gain access to these applications and the sensitive data they house, it could mean a breach of disastrous proportions for your business. 

Proactively mitigate insider threat

Insider threats can have severe consequences for organizations, ranging from financial losses to reputational damage. By being vigilant and recognizing the indicators of insider threats, organizations can take proactive steps to protect their sensitive information. Employing a multi-layered security approach that combines a leading technology solution, robust policies, and a strong culture will help minimize the risk of insider threat. Learn more at www.inneractiv.com.