Insider threats are people with authorized access to a system or network, making them more dangerous than external attacks.
Motivations for insider threats can range from malicious intent to carelessness.
Unusual access patterns and employee behavior can be red flags for insider threats.
To prevent insider threats, organizations should implement least-privilege access, open communication channels, security awareness training, and anonymous reporting systems.
Someone here will turn, it’s just a matter of when. Photo by fauxels, please support by following @pexel.com
Ever feel like you’ve secured your castle walls only to discover a secret passage inside? That’s the unnerving reality of insider threats. Forget shadowy hackers in distant lands; these are the folks with the key, the ones who can bypass security with a smile and a badge.
Why Do They Do It? It’s a Twisted Family Affair
Motivations are as varied as your office gossip. We’ve got the disgruntled employee, out for revenge with a digital scorched-earth policy. There’s the greedy mole, selling secrets for a hefty payday. But sometimes, it’s not malice, but carelessness – an employee falling for a clever phishing scam, or a disgruntled teenager using their parent’s work laptop for a late-night joyride through sensitive data.
GET BACK HERE WITH MOMMY’S DATA!! Photo by Karolina Kaboompics, please support by following @pexel.com
Catching the Imposter Among Us
They may seem like your colleagues, but these insiders can leave a trail of digital breadcrumbs. An employee accessing top-secret files at 3 AM? A sudden surge in downloads right before quitting time? These unusual access patterns could be a sign of something fishy.
Building a Fortress From Within
Don’t wait for the sirens to blare! Here’s how to build a defense system that goes beyond firewalls:
Least Privilege: Imagine a company credit card with a spending limit. Grant access to data and systems on the same principle – only what’s absolutely necessary.
Open Communication is Key: Create a safe space for employees to voice concerns without fear of getting in trouble. A disgruntled worker who feels heard is less likely to become a disgruntled insider.
Security Savvy Squad: Regular training keeps everyone on their toes. Teach employees about insider threats, common tactics, and how to spot a phishing scam from a mile away.
See Something, Say Something: Set up an anonymous reporting system so employees can flag suspicious activity without fear of reprisal.
We’re more secure when we work together. Photo by fauxels, please support by following @pexel.com
Join the Fight Against the Insider Threat
Have you ever encountered a case of insider espionage (or maybe just a close call)? Share your stories and best practices in the comments below. Together, let’s build a community of cyber defenders, ready to face the threats from within!
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Either see how far you’ve come or how far you have to go. Photo by Matt Hardy, please support by following @pexel.com
Beginning to an End
It has been a rough ride trying to look for a job in Information Technology (IT). All I want is to change careers and improve my quality of living. Is that too much to ask? Pouring countless hours into Bootcamps, completing online courses, and doing code-along projects.
Fixing up my resume to suit resume screening needs. At this point, things have been pretty interesting, to say the least. After months of facing countless piles of rejection, something came through finally.
I finally got my big break, and this was going to be my meal ticket into the big wide world of IT, and with studying areas such as cloud computing, Python programming, and machine learning, it was clear I was on my way to the big leagues. Someone reached out to me and offered me an interview.
My thoughts were, I finally made it past the computer screening. Someone looked at my resume and envisioned the potential.
Not all lights at the end of the tunnel are created equal. Photo by Xi Xi, please support by following @pexel.com
Moth Set Ablaze
This company wasn’t to the likes of Microsoft, but it wasn’t too small either. I was determined to make this work, even if I stumbled, I was going to give it my all. Like Vin Diesel, I was doing this for “family”.
They gave me a bit of information about their company such as whom they were backed by and what role they are recruiting for. Day came to interview… which was an email by the way. Googled it (it’s a thing) but didn’t think too much of it.
The interviewer was late for the time we agreed to (didn’t think too much of that either), readily filling out this questionnaire. Some questions were easy, others had me trying to figure out how to word my responses.
Whatever the case may be, this was my light at the end of the tunnel, and I wasn’t going to let this slip by since I worked so hard to get here. Tried not to be too in my head. It’s not like I was sitting across from them where I could judge how the question is being asked.
Despite the opposition, by determination I will make it. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, please support by following @pexel.com
Promise with a Dash of Doubt
After filling out the questionnaire and sending it back. I anticipated,” thank you for your interest, despite the fact we are desperately hiring, we decided to go with other candidates”.
However, to my surprise, I received an email the next afternoon congratulating me on the interview and that the board wanted to move forward with my application and grant me the position of application engineer.
I was informed to keep an eye on my email because I would be receiving an offer letter for employment from human resources (HR) to fill out to start my hiring process. My dreams were coming true, and I could finally and wholeheartedly say I was a part of the oh-so-coveted IT world. I could see greatness on the horizon.
This offer may seem good now but give it time. Photo by Andrea Piacquaido, please support by following @pexel.com
Beware of The Hand That Feeds You
Later that night, something wasn’t sitting right. I kept reviewing the email that was sent which included that I was going to receive a check via paycheck or electronic deposit that was going to use for purchasing my soon-to-be home office equipment.
This had me promptly questioning with a; “Say what now?” But I quickly dismissed it with an “oh well, I need a job, and if this is going to be my foot in the door. I’ll take it”.
But something still didn’t sit right. I couldn’t just be given a job this quick, and it is a six-figure salary. After scanning the questionnaire several times and viewing there was a street address. I decided to go and see if my having the job was real.
I tracked all my way to this lovely building (which held Microsoft by the way), walked in, knocked on the door, and was greeted by an older fellow who had an AirPod in his ear. I explained my situation and asked if there were any hiring managers around, I could talk to, but before I could get the words out, he replied “It’s a scam, I’m sorry”. My suspicions were correct, how nice.
When they’re trying to scam you, but they don’t know who they’re dealing with. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, please support by following @pexel.com
Turning Tables
Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to make the best of my situation. I waited for my offer letter to be sent to me, which I received right as I was being informed this was a scam. I took to LinkedIn to see If I could connect with these people.
However, turn out to be a dead end. The names did not match the faces. I decided to have some fun to offer up some good spirit and email them a proactive email. I sent the one (the interviewer) an email telling them how happy and hopeful I was to get this position and how I couldn’t wait to start working.
That I wanted to know more about him and how well he was connected to the company and the board. Also, I needed the requisition id number since I needed a list of my duties of what was going to be expected of me. And to the other (HR) email informing them that I would not be needing money for the office equipment since I already have the items.
It has been a while now, so I presume they cut their losses.
This guy must know his stuff, he asked for the requisition id number. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, please support by following @pexel.com
Look Out!
When dealing with a situation like this there is a two-prong attack.
The Interviewer (attacker one)
-Will reach out for a role, you may or may have not applied to. This person will engage and offer an email interview or interview in some form of messaging service.
The hiring manager or human resources manager (attacker two)
-Will send the offer letter and request to purchase office equipment or mini-office equipment.
List of office or mini-office items
MacBook
Dual Monitors
External hard drive/backup system
Laptop Stand
A high-quality webcam
Comfortable desk chair
Hp LaserJet Pro M15w Printer
Computer Hardware and Software
High-Speed Internet Access
Stress Ball
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