Internal IT Threats
Your Company Security Starts With Your Team
Not every IT or cybersecurity problem is caused by cyberattacks or external threats. Sometimes the real problem is caused by people working in your business itself. In fact, 22% of security incidents are caused by people within the business. Internal IT problems can be maliciously intentional, or they can be simply accidental.
As well as making sure you are protecting your IT infrastructure from external threats such as cyberattacks, it is important that business shores up the defenses from internal IT threats.
Protecting Against Internal Threats
There are various ways to protect against internal threats. Physical security measures such as turnstiles, CCTV and warning signs are often good suggestions. However, IT precautions also need to be taken.
Implementing monitoring systems, hardening network security, and adequate training for your employees is key.
Negligent Internal Threats
Not everyone harms the business intentionally. Sometimes human error or lack of knowledge causes the internal IT threat. Here are many ways data breaches occur by negligent practice:
Phishing or social engineering
Phishing attacks are quite common, and often convincing. All it takes is for an untrained or tired employee to click on an errant link in an email.
Using unauthorised devices
USB sticks or other devices that are plugged into computers, or access the business Wi-Fi, provide a perfect environment for cyberthreats or viruses.
Using unauthorised software
Some team members might believe they have a more efficient solution to their job or simply want to watch videos on their break. Either way, unauthorised software can sometimes carry a threat.
Loss of company device
Providing your staff with a phone or other device might help them with their day-to-day tasks, but what data do they have access to through that device?
Malicious Internal Threats
There is no one single reason members of your business would choose to maliciously damage your IT infrastructure. Often the reasons behind internal sabotage are complex and nuanced. However, here are some common reasons a member of your team may be an internal IT threat:
Revenge
A disgruntled employee, or one that has been recently let go may choose to enact revenge by damaging the system. Often this is intended to damage the company’s reputation by accessing sensitive data.
Espionage
For some businesses, there is the danger that the malicious member of your team is working for a rival company. They could be releasing company data to your competitor.
Fraud
There is often some personal gain for someone within your company when they modify or destroy business data. They also could be attempting to damage your business reputation by acting fraudulently.
Intellectual property theft
Your team member could be trying to copy or claim intellectual property for themselves to sell it to a competitor or interested party.
GET IN TOUCH
For more information about how you can help protect against internal threats, call us on 01327 300 311, or email [email protected] with any enquiries.
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I have used Keba for the last 10 years because I am dealing with friends not a business. I'm always happy with the service & solution provided and have no hesitation recommending them for anything IT. - Shaun Malin