// THREAT DETECTION AND DATA PRIVACY TERM

Insider Threat

An insider threat is a security risk originating from within an organization, where a current or former employee, contractor, or business associate uses their authorized access to intentionally or unintentionally harm the organization's data, systems, or operations.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

An insider threat represents a significant cybersecurity and organizational risk where a trusted entity, such as an employee, contractor, or third-party, leverages authorized access to intentionally exfiltrate data, commit sabotage, or disrupt operations, or unintentionally causes harm through negligence or error, often targeting critical data, intellectual property, or operational systems.

BACKGROUND

An insider threat is a perceived threat to an organization that comes from people within the organization, such as employees, former employees, contractors or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organization's security practices, data and computer systems. The threat may involve fraud, the theft of confidential or commercially valuable information, the theft of intellectual property, or the sabotage of computer systems.

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • Internal threat
  • Malicious insider
  • Insider risk
  • Rogue employee
  • Privileged access threat

USAGE NOTE

Insider threats are particularly challenging to detect and mitigate due to the actors' existing authorized access and inherent trust within the organization.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Insider Threat.

  • Proofpoint

    Develops a comprehensive insider threat management platform, including user activity monitoring, data loss prevention (DLP), and behavioral analytics to detect and prevent malicious or negligent insider risks.

  • DTEX Systems

    Specializes in workforce cyber intelligence and insider risk management, providing a platform that collects and analyzes human behavior data to identify and mitigate insider threats without invading privacy.

  • Forcepoint

    Offers a human-centric security platform that includes data loss prevention (DLP), user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), and cloud security to detect and prevent insider threats across various vectors.

  • Exabeam

    Provides a security analytics platform that leverages User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to detect advanced threats, including insider threats, through anomalous behavior detection.

  • Code42

    Offers an Insider Risk Management platform called Incydr, designed to detect and respond to data exposure and exfiltration from insiders, whether malicious, negligent, or accidental.

  • Gurucul

    Develops a unified security analytics and operations platform leveraging user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) and identity analytics to detect, predict, and prevent insider threats and other advanced attacks.

  • Trellix

    Provides extended detection and response (XDR) solutions that include advanced threat detection, data loss prevention, and endpoint security capabilities, contributing to the identification and mitigation of insider threats.

  • Microsoft

    Through Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance and Defender solutions, Microsoft offers insider risk management features, data loss prevention (DLP), and advanced behavioral analytics to identify and manage potential insider threats within organizations.

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