Mitigating Insider Threats: 5 Strategies to Protect Your Organization

Imagine your organization as a fortress. You’ve built high walls to keep out external threats, but what about the risks lurking within?

In 2023, insider threats accounted for a staggering 55% of security incidents, according to the 2023 Cost of Insider Risks: Global Study by Ponemon Institute. Even with advanced security, threats often come from within your own organization. While access controls and safety protocols help, the rising complexity of insider threats calls for a more comprehensive approach to protection. That’s where insider threat mitigation comes into play.

Insider threats aren’t just about disgruntled employees with malicious intent. They can emerge from unexpected sources, including well-meaning team members who might inadvertently expose sensitive information. The challenge? These internal risks are often more complex and harder to detect than external threats.

It’s time to elevate your insider threat mitigation strategies and develop a more nuanced understanding of insider threat indicators within our organizations.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• What exactly constitutes an insider threat
• The different types of insider threats and their impacts
• The process and importance of insider threat mitigation
• Key industry standards and regulations for insider threat management
• 6 proven strategies to mitigate insider risks
• Essential tools and technologies for effective threat mitigation
• How to strengthen your overall insider threat mitigation strategy

Ready to fortify your organization against insider threats? Let’s dive in and explore how you can stay one step ahead. Your organization’s valuable assets — and your security posture — depend on it.

Understanding insider threats

An insider threat is a security risk that originates from within an organization, typically involving individuals who have authorized access to its systems, data, or facilities. These threats can come from current or former employees, contractors, or business partners who, either intentionally or unintentionally, misuse their access to cause harm, steal sensitive information, or compromise the organization’s operations.

According to the Ponemon Institute 2023 Study, insider incidents have risen by 25% in the last year, with the average time to contain these incidents reaching 86 days. Insider threats pose a significant risk to organizations for several reasons:

• Difficulty in Detection: Unlike external threats, insiders already have access to systems and data, making their actions harder to identify as malicious.
• Potential for Severe Damage: Insiders often have in-depth knowledge of an organization’s vulnerabilities, allowing them to cause more targeted and severe damage.
• Complexity of Motivations: Insider threats can stem from various motivations, including financial gain, revenge, or even unintentional actions, making them challenging to predict and prevent.

What are the types of insider threats?

Insider threats can be broadly categorized into three types. Each one presents unique challenges that require different threat mitigation strategies.

1. Malicious Insider Threats: These involve individuals who intentionally misuse their access to harm the organization. Examples include disgruntled employees seeking revenge or financial gain, like leaking sensitive data to competitors or selling it on the dark web. Recent data suggests that these incidents cost organizations an average of $701,500 per incident. 
2. Negligent Insider Threats: These stem from employees unintentionally causing harm through actions like falling for a phishing scam, letting an unauthorized person into the building, or ignoring a well-outlined security protocol. As Resolver Solution Engineer Brooke Robinson from Resolver pointed out in a webinar on insider threat protection, “Sometimes, it’s a well-intentioned employee making a critical mistake that can open the door to significant security breaches.” Effective insider threat mitigation strategies for this category typically focus on comprehensive training and awareness programs.
3. Compromised Insider Threats: This occurs when an external attacker gains control of an employee’s credentials, turning them into an unwitting insider threat. This type of threat is particularly difficult to detect because the compromised employee often has no idea they’ve been breached. Insider threat mitigation in this case relies heavily on continuous monitoring and rapid response protocols.

The Ponemon Study found that 55% of insider incidents were due to employee negligence, 25% involved criminal or malicious insiders, and 20% were related to credential theft. Each type presents unique challenges, requiring tailored approaches to effectively protect your organization’s assets and data. Ready to learn how to prevent these internal risks? Let’s dive deeper into specific threat mitigation strategies.

Watch: Insider Threat Protection: Why Integrating Technology & Expert Services is Your Best Defense

What is insider threat mitigation?

Insider threat mitigation is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing the risks posed by individuals within an organization who may — intentionally or unintentionally — cause harm. As reported in the Ponemon study, the average annual cost to remediate incidents caused by negligent employees was $7.2 million.

As Steve Powers, Associate Managing Director of Enterprise Security Risk Management at Kroll (Resolver’s parent company), puts it, “Insider threat mitigation is about recognizing that the people we trust can sometimes pose the greatest risk. It’s a delicate balance of vigilance and respect for your team.”

At its core, insider threat mitigation is the process of:

• Identifying potential risks from within your organization
• Assessing the severity and likelihood of these risks
• Managing and minimizing these risks effectively

Powers emphasizes the dynamic nature of these threats: “A person that presents a low or maybe a moderate level of concern can shift and become higher based on the information that later becomes available.” As insider threats can emerge from various sources, systemically assessing and proactively addressing them is essential for maintaining the integrity and resilience of the organization.

Effective insider threat mitigation strategies often include:

• Comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans
• Clear procedures for reporting incidents without fear of retaliation
• Regular employee training and awareness programs
• Utilization of technology for behavioral monitoring and anomaly detection
• Collaboration between different departments (HR, IT, Security)

Remember, insider threat mitigation isn’t about fostering distrust. It’s about creating a resilient organization that can protect its assets, reputation, and people — even from unintentional internal risks. As Powers notes, “Everyone is resource-constrained,” but implementing these strategies is crucial for maintaining organizational integrity and safety.

By implementing robust insider threat mitigation strategies, you’re not just defending against potential harm. You’re building a stronger, more secure foundation for your organization’s future, and fulfilling your duty of care to employees and stakeholders alike.

Industry standards and regulations in insider threat mitigation

When developing an insider threat mitigation strategy, adhering to relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements is critical to ensuring both compliance and effective protection. These standards provide a framework for best practices and help organizations strengthen their defenses against insider threats while staying compliant with legal obligations. Below are some key standards and regulations that every organization should consider:

1. NIST Special Publication 800-53

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers comprehensive guidelines for security and privacy controls, specifically addressing the management of insider threats. NIST 800-53 emphasizes the importance of access control, continuous monitoring, and incident response as key elements in an effective insider threat program.

2. ISO/IEC 27001

This international standard outlines the best practices for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an information security management system (ISMS). It includes guidance on managing insider risks by ensuring that security policies and controls are aligned with the organization’s threat landscape and business objectives. This international standard outlines systems, which include measures to address insider threats.

3. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

Although primarily focused on data privacy, GDPR has significant implications for insider threat programs, particularly regarding the handling and protection of employee data. Under GDPR, organizations must balance privacy with security, ensuring that any monitoring or threat mitigation efforts comply with regulations on data collection, storage, and processing.

Learn more about IT Compliance solutions.

4. California Senate Bill 553

Effective July 1, 2024, SB 553 mandates that organizations in certain sectors, such as retail, develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans. This legislation reflects the growing recognition of internal risks and highlights the need for comprehensive plans that include mechanisms for reporting and responding to potential insider threats. (Read our SB 553 explainer here.)

5. OSHA General Duty Clause

Powers explains, “Within OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration… there is what’s called the General Duty Cause. Basically, it’s a duty of care clause in which employers are supposed to have a place free of hazards.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces workplace safety through the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, including those posed by insiders. A robust insider threat mitigation program can help fulfill this duty by preventing harmful actions from within the organization.

By aligning your insider threat mitigation efforts and tools with these recognized standards and regulations, your organization not only strengthens its security posture but also ensures compliance with industry norms and legal requirements. Incorporating best practices from frameworks like NIST 800-53 or ISO 27001 can lead to more systematic risk management, while adhering to GDPR ensures your approach to insider threat monitoring is both ethical and compliant.

6 Approaches to mitigating insider threats

Protecting your organization from insider threats requires a well-rounded approach that combines technology, policy enforcement, and employee engagement. The study found that Privileged Access Management (PAM) can save an average of $5.9 million, while user training and awareness programs can save $5.4 million in insider threat-related costs.

Here are six key strategies to strengthen your organization’s defenses and reduce the risk of internal security breaches:

1. Behavioral Monitoring and Analytics

Implement advanced analytics tools, such as User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA), to continuously monitor employee activity. These systems use machine learning to detect unusual behaviors, such as accessing sensitive data at odd hours or transferring large amounts of data unexpectedly. Early detection of these behaviors allows for prompt investigation and response, preventing potential insider threats from escalating.

2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Limit access to sensitive data and systems by ensuring that employees only have the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. Role-based access control (RBAC) is an essential tool for minimizing the risk of insider threats, as it reduces the likelihood of accidental or intentional misuse of information. Regular audits should be conducted to ensure access rights remain appropriate as employees’ roles evolve.

3. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tools

Deploy enterprise-grade Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions to monitor and control the movement of sensitive information across your network. DLP tools can prevent unauthorized users from downloading, sharing, or transferring critical data. These tools are especially useful in mitigating insider threats by flagging suspicious data transfers and ensuring that sensitive data remains protected within the organization.

4. Employee Training Programs

Human error is a leading cause of insider incidents, often due to a lack of awareness about security risks. Regular training sessions that focus on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attacks and securing sensitive information, can significantly reduce the likelihood of negligence leading to a breach. Interactive, scenario-based training helps reinforce important concepts and keeps security top of mind for all employees.

Learn more about Organizational Threat Management Training here.

5. Incident Response and Recovery Plans

A well-prepared incident response plan ensures that your organization can quickly contain and mitigate insider threats when they occur. This plan should include clear steps for identifying potential threats, escalating incidents, and responding effectively. In addition, integrating the plan with automated workflows and real-time monitoring tools can improve response times, reducing the potential impact of insider-related incidents.

It was reported that 64% of organizations believe AI and machine learning are essential or very important in managing insider threats, a significant increase from 54% in 2022. Additionally, 61% say automation is crucial in managing insider risks.

6. Collaboration and Information Sharing

Insider threat mitigation is most effective when security efforts span across departments, from HR and IT to legal and compliance teams. By establishing a culture of information sharing and collaboration, organizations can detect early warning signs and address potential risks before they become critical. A centralized threat protection system that allows different teams to share insights and findings in real-time enhances overall security effectiveness.

Watch: Breaking Down Siloes: Strategies for Effective Cross-Team Investigations in Security

Insider threat mitigation tools

When choosing tools for your insider threat mitigation strategy, look for solutions that offer:

• Comprehensive monitoring capabilities
• Easy integration with your existing systems
• Powerful security incident management features
• Clear, actionable insights for your security team

Remember, while these tools are powerful allies in mitigating insider threats, they’re most effective when part of a broader strategy that includes employee training, clear policies, and a culture of security awareness.

By implementing a mix of these technologies and best practices, organizations can build a robust defense against insider threats, protecting their valuable assets and data from both intentional and accidental risks.

Strengthening your insider threat mitigation strategy

Understanding insider threats is just the first step; effective mitigation strategies require the right blend of tools and processes. This is where a comprehensive threat management solution can make the difference between reactive and proactive security. According to the Ponemon study, the top metric for measuring the success of insider risk efforts is the reduction in incidents (50%), followed by assessment of insider risks (40%) and length of time to resolve incidents (38%).

An advanced solution for insider threat protection offers the following advantages:

• Streamlined Threat Analysis: Consolidating threat intelligence from multiple sources ensures your team can quickly identify and assess potential risks.
• Pre-Incident Detection: Detect early warning signs, enrich threat actor profiles, and mitigate risks before incidents escalate.
• Automated Workflows for Rapid Response: Automated playbooks and workflows ensure that insider threats are addressed promptly, minimizing potential damage.
• Real-Time Performance Dashboards: Use detailed reporting dashboards to track security incident management, security performance, and continuous improvements.

By integrating these advanced capabilities, your organization can stay ahead of insider threats, transitioning from a reactive approach to a proactive security posture.

Stay ahead of insider threats before they materialize. Discover how Resolver’s Threat Protection Software can enhance your organization’s security through AI-powered detection, comprehensive threat profiling, and real-time incident response. Register for a quick, commitment-free guided tour of our Threat Protection Software today and protect your most valuable assets.

Don’t let insider threats compromise your hard-earned success. Equip your team with our advanced, award-winning tools to detect, prevent, and respond to threats before they escalate.