Insider Data Leaks – Spotting and Preventing Them

Insider Data Leaks – Spotting and Preventing Them

What are Insider Data Leaks?

Insider data leaks refer to the unauthorized sharing or theft of sensitive information by employees or contractors who have access to an organization’s systems and data. This can include everything from customer records, financial reports, intellectual property, and other confidential data. Insider threats are especially dangerous because they violate the trust placed in them and can cause massive damage through data breaches.

Some examples of insider data leaks include:

  • Employees copying customer lists or product designs to share with a competitor
  • Disgruntled workers intentionally leaking private emails or financial documents
  • Contractors stealing trade secrets or source code when leaving a company
  • Staff negligently mishandling data by sending it to the wrong recipients

Why Do Insider Data Leaks Happen?

There are various motivations behind insider data theft and leaks:

Financial Gain

Employees may steal data to sell it for profit. Customer lists, product designs, and financial reports can be valuable on the black market.

Revenge

Angry or disgruntled employees who feel mistreated may leak data to harm the company.

Espionage

Insiders may be recruited by competitors to share confidential data and trade secrets. This is corporate espionage.

Unintentional Errors

Well-meaning employees can accidentally leak data through mishandling, like emailing sensitive data to incorrect recipients.

How to Spot Insider Data Leak Risks

Behavioral Red Flags

Look out for behavioral changes that may indicate increased risk:

  • Disgruntled employees venting anger at management
  • Staff experiencing financial hardship or requesting raises
  • Trying to gain access above their role
  • Downloading large amounts of data

Policy Violations

  • Sharing credentials
  • Circumventing security protocols
  • Sending data to personal email accounts

Technical Indicators

  • Large data transfers outside working hours
  • Suspicious spikes in data downloads
  • Unrecognized devices accessing network

Preventing Insider Data Leaks

Limit Access

  • Principle of least privilege – Only provide access to data needed for a role
  • Segment and silo sensitive data to limit exposure

Monitor Activity

  • Audit logs to track access and transfers
  • Data loss prevention systems
  • Endpoint monitoring tools

Enforce Separation

  • Ensure employees leave behind devices and credentials after termination
  • Complete exit interviews to collect credentials and understand risks

Security Training

  • Educate staff on secure data handling
  • Highlight severe consequences of data leaks

Background Checks

  • Thoroughly vet employees and contractors for risk factors
  • Periodically re-check existing personnel

Consequences of Insider Data Leaks

Insider data breaches can severely impact organizations:

Financial Loss

Stolen data, intellectual property theft, and espionage empower competitors and cause direct financial harm. Fines for non-compliance and remediation costs also add up.

Reputational Damage

Customers lose trust after data leaks. Significant brand damage can occur.

Legal Liability

Organizations face lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and criminal charges over negligent security practices. Executives may be held personally accountable.

Competitive Disadvantage

Loss of trade secrets and intellectual property can erase competitive edges built over years. Leaked product plans also reduce time-to-market advantages.

With proper insider threat detection and mitigation protocols, companies can reduce their risk and prevent catastrophic data breaches. Training employees, limiting access, and monitoring for red flags are key.

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIn

Newsletter

Signup our newsletter to get update information, news, insight or promotions.

Latest Post

Related Article