Security team risks challenge your department’s ability to protect people, assets, and operations. The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York serves as a stark reminder that even organizations with sophisticated systems can face tragic vulnerabilities. In response, organizations rushed to remove executive profiles from public view and canceled in-person events.
Every risk security teams face demands proactive measures tailored to their specific requirements. These threats intersect in ways that require careful planning and continuous attention. Failing to address them often leaves organizations exposed to cascading problems that disrupt operations and damage trust.
Security professionals know that effective preparation starts with identifying where these risks originate and building solutions that address them directly. With clear strategies and actionable approaches, teams can strengthen their defenses and create safer environments for everyone involved.
1. Insider threats
Insider threats come from employees, contractors, or vendors who misuse their access — intentionally or accidentally — to harm the organization. The risks security teams face from insider threats are particularly challenging, as they may leak sensitive information, steal valuable assets, or unintentionally open the door to external attackers. Security teams must stay vigilant against these threats, as internal actors often have the necessary permissions to bypass standard defenses.
Why it matters for security teams
- Access and Trust: Insiders often operate under a veil of trust, making their actions harder to detect.
- Wide Impact: Even a small mistake — like clicking a malicious link — can lead to larger breaches or compromised systems.
- Evolving Risks: Remote work has added another layer of complexity, with more people accessing sensitive information from personal devices.
Steps to address insider threats
- Define Clear Access Controls: Assign permissions based on roles and responsibilities. Regularly review access logs to identify unusual activities.
- Implement Continuous Monitoring: Behavior analytics tools can flag patterns, such as excessive file downloads, that might signal malicious intent.
- Foster a Culture of Accountability: Collaborate with HR and leadership to create an environment where employees feel safe reporting suspicious behavior to strengthen security measures.
These threats require a balanced approach that combines technology with trust-building measures. By focusing on prevention and detection, you can can effectively address risks for security teams and reduce harm caused by internal actors.
Learn 5 Strategies To Mitigate Insider Threats
2. Theft and vandalism
Theft and vandalism are long-standing challenges for security teams. These security team risks range from stolen equipment to damaged infrastructure, the fallout can disrupt operations and erode trust. By targeting high-value items or visible areas, this threat affects both productivity and reputation.
Why it’s a concern for security teams
- Loss of Property: Portable devices and specialized tools are prime targets for theft, often leading to financial losses.
- Business Disruption: Damage to infrastructure, like broken locks or vandalized cameras, can expose organizations to further risks.
- Reputation Damage: Visible acts of vandalism can harm a company’s image, especially in customer-facing environments.
Steps to mitigate theft and vandalism
- Strengthen Perimeter Security: Use cameras, motion sensors, and well-lit entryways to deter unauthorized access.
- Secure Valuable Assets: Lock high-value equipment in storage during off-hours and track items using asset management systems.
- Encourage Reporting: Create simple reporting processes for employees to flag suspicious activity or damaged property.
- Conduct Routine Inspections: Regularly check vulnerable areas, such as parking lots and storage facilities, for signs of tampering or weak spots.
By combining physical safeguards with active monitoring, security teams can limit the impact of theft and vandalism on their organizations.
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3. Physical access exploitation
Physical access exploitation happens when unauthorized individuals gain entry to restricted areas. The risks security teams face from access exploitation include tactics like tailgating, where someone follows an authorized person through a secure door. Other tactics include exploiting weak entry points, like unmonitored delivery zones or poorly maintained access controls.
Why it’s a security concern:
- Operational Risk: Unrestricted entry can lead to theft, sabotage, or even harm to employees.
- Data Exposure: Access to server rooms or workstations opens up the potential for sensitive data theft.
- Compliance Issues: Security breaches at access points can put organizations at odds with regulations requiring strict physical security measures.
Steps to reduce the risk
- Install Multi-Layered Barriers: Combine physical measures like turnstiles with electronic systems such as keycards or biometrics.
- Audit Access Logs: Regularly review who enters secure areas and investigate anomalies.
- Train Employees: Educate staff to recognize tailgating and report unknown individuals.
- Monitor High-Risk Zones: Use surveillance systems to oversee delivery docks, side entrances, and other less-secure areas.
Tightening access controls helps address risks for security teams by only allowing the right people to enter sensitive spaces, reducing the risk of exploitation.
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4. Incident response gaps
When emergencies occur, the risks security teams face demand immediate action. Delays or miscommunications can escalate situations, putting people and property at risk. Whether it’s an active shooter or a fire, response gaps expose vulnerabilities in how teams prepare and execute their plans.
Why it matters for security teams
- Safety Risks: Poor responses can endanger employees, visitors, or customers.
- Operational Downtime: Mishandling incidents can prolong disruptions, leading to lost productivity.
- Reputation Concerns: Public knowledge of a poorly managed crisis can damage trust in the organization.
Steps to improve incident preparedness
- Develop Comprehensive Plans: Security teams should collaborate with emergency services to create detailed protocols for scenarios like evacuations and lockdowns.
- Run Regular Drills: Simulate incidents to evaluate team readiness and identify weaknesses in communication or execution.
- Leverage Real-Time Communication Tools: Use mass notification systems to coordinate responses and keep everyone informed during an emergency.
- Review and Adapt: After every drill or real incident, conduct a debrief to update procedures and address gaps.
Being prepared for emergencies isn’t optional — it’s a core responsibility of any security team. Addressing risks for security teams with clear plans and consistent training ensures swift, decisive action when it’s needed most.
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How Resolver helps mitigate security team risks
The risks security teams face can be overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. Proactive measures, coupled with the right tools, make a meaningful difference in preventing issues before they escalate. Resolver’s Security Risk Management Software is designed to support security teams by centralizing critical processes and streamlining workflows, so risks for security teams can be addressed head-on.
Automate repetitive compliance tasks, track incidents seamlessly, and stay ahead of regulatory requirements. Our centralized platform makes it easier to manage risk assessments, monitor key metrics, and maintain alignment with industry standards. By reducing manual work and providing clear visibility into potential vulnerabilities, Resolver helps security teams spend less time reacting to problems and more time preventing them.
Request a demo today and see how we can help mitigate your security team risks so you can approach challenges with confidence.
