Mitigate Insider Threats Through Security Awareness Programs

Introduction

All organizations, regardless of their size or nature, are vulnerable to insider threats. While most security teams focus on detecting and preventing external threats, it is crucial to recognize that not all threats come from outside.

The National Insider Threat Task Force (NITTF) reports a steady rise in incidents involving technology theft, infrastructure damage, and data leaks stemming from within.

A recent study by the Ponemon Institute shows a 47% increase in insider threats over the past two years, with the average cost of an incident being $11.45 million - a financial burden no organization can afford to ignore.

For organizations of any size, these numbers are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. In this blog, we’ll share best practices for mitigating insider threats through security awareness programs and help your business overcome common challenges along the way.

What is an Insider Threat?

An insider threat is a potential risk posed by an individual within an organization who might use their privileged access or specialized knowledge to harm the organization. This harm can result from intentional malicious activity, carelessness, or unintentional mistakes, compromising the safety, confidentiality, and accessibility of the company's data, personnel, facilities, and assets, and leading to a lose of competitive advantage.

Insider threats can be classified into the following categories:

1. Intentional Threats:

Malicious Insiders

These individuals take advantage of their authorized access to systems to carry out activities such as data theft, operational sabotage, or fraudulent behavior. Their motivations may include revenge or allegiance to a competitor.

2. Unintentional Threats:

Negligent Insiders

These individuals are generally familiar with IT security policies but choose to ignore them. Despite being aware of the protocols, they may engage in risky behaviors, such as falling for phishing scams or failing to follow security procedures. Their motivations can stem from laziness, and the results can still be extremely harmful.

Accidental insider

These threats occur due to human mistakes, such as sending business information to the wrong email address or mishandling sensitive data.

3. Other Threats

Collusive Threats

These involve one or multiple individuals within an organization working together with an external threat actor to compromise the organization. These incidents often involve cybercriminals recruiting insiders to enable intellectual property theft.

Third-Party Threats

These threats involve contractors or vendors who have been granted access to an organization's facilities, systems, networks, or personnel to perform their tasks. They may use this access to engage in malicious activity, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Security Awareness Training is Key

Security awareness is the best way to overcome insider threats. It must be an integral part of your organization's overall security posture. Here are some key reasons:

Reduce the Risk of a Breach

• 84% of security breaches result from human error, with 1 in 4 employees falling victim to phishing emails. Security awareness training reduces the likelihood of mistakes that could lead to security breaches and insider threats.

Enhancing Employee Confidence via Training

• Research from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shows that well-trained employees experience a 70% increase in confidence when handling sensitive information.

Fosters a Security Culture

• Employees' perception of security is rooted in their organization’s culture. When employees understand the importance of security and their role in maintaining it, they are more likely to adopt secure behaviors and practices.

Enhancing Technological Cyber Defenses Against Cyber Threats

• A key benefit of security awareness training is teaching employees to defend against common cyber threats such as phishing, malware, and hacker tactics. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, these types of threats are responsible for 70% of breaches, underscoring the importance of being well-prepared.

Cost Savings

• According to the 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report by IBM, companies with robust security awareness training program save, on average, $2 million per breach compared to those without such a program.
• Informed employees are less likely to fall victim to phishing attacks or other common security threats that lead to expensive breaches.

Ensure Compliance

• Security awareness training can lower insurance costs and minimize the chances of a user accidentally voiding your policy.

Components of an Effective Security Awareness Program

What makes a security awareness program effective? Here are the core elements of a well-designed security awareness program:

Obtain C-level support

• Having C-level support for a security awareness program can be transformative. It unlocks more freedom, larger budgets, and increased departmental collaboration. C-level willingness to invest in security solutions and training options highlights the program's importance and demonstrates the company's commitment to security, influencing how seriously employees take the training.

Identifying cybersecurity awareness needs

• What should staff be trained on? What skills do they need? While basic information is always included in awareness training, it's crucial to tailor the program to the specific environments and risks each employee faces.

Overcoming Challenges in Security Awareness Programs

The most common challenges faced by security awareness programs include:

1. Low Employee Engagement

Many employees may find security awareness dull, irrelevant, or boring, and as a result, they may refuse to attend or engage in training and events.

2. Ineffective Measurement

Without effective measurement, it becomes difficult to demonstrate the value of security awareness programs and identify areas for improvement.

3. Lack of Integration and Collaboration

Many security awareness programs are separate from the rest of the company, rather than being incorporated into its culture, policies, and systems.

This might lead to employees not perceiving the relevance or value of security awareness in their regular jobs.

4. Lack of Resources, Time, and Support

Security awareness professionals often face limitations in executing their programs due to a lack of leadership support, limited budgets, and a lack of time. A survey conducted by SANS Securing the Human found that the majority of security awareness personnel spend 25% or less of their time on awareness, with the remaining time dedicated to other responsibilities.

Best Practices for Building an Effective Security Awareness Program

To achieve the best results, it is crucial to follow a specific set of steps when implementing a security awareness program.

1. Understanding an Organization’s Security Awareness Maturity

• Develop a roadmap for where you want to end up, but it's equally important to know where you're starting from. The Security Awareness Model created by the Know4be Institute is a great tool for figuring out your organization's current level of sophistication and guiding your efforts to improve.

2. Establishing Security Baselines and an Awareness Program

• Before implementing a security awareness program, review the existing compliance efforts, security policies, and response procedures within your organization. This ensures that the training you provide to employees is based on the most up-to-date information available.

3. Conducting Training Effectively

• While providing resources and materials for individual perusal is important, conducting interactive group training sessions can significantly enhance employee engagement and knowledge retention.

4. Test Employees to Further Their Training

• One effective method is to send simulated phishing emails with various disguises to test their ability to recognize and report threats. This allows you to assess the effectiveness of your program and provide additional training to those who need it.

5. Review the Security Awareness Program and Repeat Training

• Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and it is essential to keep your program up to date with the latest information. Providing your security team with forefront cyber threat intelligence training helps them stay updated on the latest threats and trends in the cybersecurity landscape.

How to Promote a Work Culture that Prioritizes Security Awareness

It is crucial for organizations to prioritize building a strong cybersecurity culture. This is essential to protect not only their information and assets but also their hard-earned reputation. Here are some effective strategies to promote a work culture that prioritizes security:

Inclusiveness:

• Ensure that everyone in the organization understands that security is a shared responsibility. Integrate security into the company's vision and mission to highlight its significance across all levels, from top management to entry-level staff.

Regular Communication and Updates:

• Keep employees informed about security updates, incidents, and best practices through emails, newsletters, posters, and intranet portals. According to a survey by Cybersecurity Insiders, 62% of organizations believe regular communication about security policies helps reinforce a security-conscious culture.

Security Development Lifecycle (SDLC):

• Integrate security practices into software and system development through an SDLC, which includes security requirements, threat modeling, and security testing. Organizations with robust SDLC practices report a 30% reduction in security vulnerabilities in their software.

Incentives and Recognition:

• A study by the Ponemon Institute found that companies that incentivize security awareness report a 45% increase in employee engagement in security programs. Recognizing and rewarding employees who excel in security practices can significantly boost motivation.