What type of threat is posed by a malicious insider in an organization?

A malicious insider poses a personnel threat to an organization. This type of threat originates from individuals within the organization, such as employees or contractors, who exploit their access and knowledge of internal processes and systems to inflict harm or steal data. These insiders may have legitimate access to sensitive information, which they can misuse for various motives, including financial gain, revenge, or corporate espionage.

Understanding the implications of personnel threats is crucial for organizations, as these threats can be particularly challenging to detect and mitigate. Unlike external hackers, who must breach perimeter defenses, malicious insiders often already possess credentials and access rights that allow them to bypass many security measures. This makes it essential for organizations to implement robust insider threat programs, which include monitoring user behavior, conducting thorough background checks during hiring, and fostering a culture of security awareness to reduce the risk of personnel-generated threats.