Insider threats are one of the most significant security risks today. According to a recent report, insider attacks have increased by 47% over the past two years, and the average cost of an insider attack is estimated to be over $11 million. With the rise of remote work and the increasing use of cloud-based technologies, organizations must take proactive steps to prevent insider threats. In this article, we will provide expert insights from Kenny Riley from Velocity IT in Dallas, Nick Nouri from Compunet Infotech (Vancouver IT Services), and Mark Veldhoff from Envizion IT, who offers IT services near Grand Rapids, MI, on preventing insider threats in your organization.

1. Develop a Comprehensive Insider Threat Program

Developing a comprehensive insider threat program is the first step in preventing insider threats. Kenny Riley, Director of Cybersecurity at Velocity IT, states, “A comprehensive insider threat program should include policies, procedures, and controls to detect, respond to, and mitigate insider threats. The program should also include training and awareness for employees on identifying and reporting potential insider threats.”

2. Implement Access Controls

Implementing access controls is another crucial step in preventing insider threats. Nick Nouri, CEO of Compunet Infotech, suggests, “Organizations should implement least privilege access controls to limit employees’ access to only the data and systems they need to perform their jobs. Additionally, access should be reviewed periodically to ensure that employees have only the access they need.”

3. Monitor Employee Activity

Monitoring employee activity is essential to detecting insider threats. Mark Veldhoff, Chief Information Security Officer at Envizion IT, advises, “Organizations should implement monitoring tools that capture user activity logs, such as logins, file access, and network traffic. This data can be used to identify abnormal behavior that may indicate an insider threat.”

4. Conduct Background Checks

Conducting background checks is an essential step in preventing insider threats. Kenny Riley states, “Background checks can help identify potential insider threats before they are hired. Additionally, ongoing background checks can help detect employee behavior changes that may indicate a potential insider threat.”

5. Educate Employees

It is crucial to educate employees on the risks of insider threats and how to prevent them. Nick Nouri recommends that “Organizations should provide regular training to employees on identifying and reporting potential insider threats. This training should include best practices for securing sensitive data and reporting suspicious behavior.”

6. Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Solutions

Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions is another critical step in preventing insider threats. Mark Veldhoff advises that “DLP solutions can help prevent accidental or intentional data leaks by monitoring and controlling the movement of sensitive data within an organization.”

7. Develop an Incident Response Plan

Developing an incident response plan is critical to responding effectively to insider threats. Kenny Riley states, “An incident response plan should include procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating insider threats. If necessary, the plan should also include communication protocols for notifying stakeholders and law enforcement.”

In conclusion, preventing insider threats requires a proactive approach that includes developing a comprehensive insider threat program, implementing access controls, monitoring employee activity, conducting background checks, educating employees, implementing DLP solutions, and developing an incident response plan. By following these expert insights from Kenny Riley, Nick Nouri, and Mark Veldhoff, organizations can better protect themselves from insider threats‘ costly and damaging effects.