Essential Strategies for Leaders to Secure Their Organization Against Insider Threats

How much attention are we really giving to the risks inside our own organization? We spend so much time focusing on external threats—hackers, ransomware attacks, phishing scams—but what happens when the danger comes from within? Insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, can be just as damaging, if not more. These threats come from individuals within the organization with inside knowledge and access to company resources. Despite the growing frequency of such threats, many organizations still fail to treat insider risks with the same urgency as external attacks.

Real-world incidents show why this issue cannot be overlooked. In 2023, Tesla faced a major data breach when two former employees leaked personal data of 75,000 staff members to the media. This internal breach caused severe reputational damage and legal consequences. An article citing the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that insiders were responsible for 35% of analyzed data breaches, emphasizing the substantial role of insider threats.

An insider threat doesn’t always mean someone acting with bad intentions. It can be a well-meaning employee falling for a phishing scam, an IT admin mistakenly granting excessive access, a contractor mishandling sensitive data, or even a former employee who still has access to company systems unknowingly exposing confidential information. The impact, however, remains the same—financial losses, operational disruptions, and erosion of trust. Unlike external attacks, insider threats are challenging because the perpetrators are already within the work environment. Organizations must start recognizing these risks and taking proactive steps to secure their data and systems from the inside out.

6 Strategies for Leaders to Minimize Insider Threats in Their Organization

1. Ensure Thorough Background Checks Are Conducted as Part of Hiring

Not everyone who walks through the door may have the best intentions. As leaders, it is essential to implement and enforce a thorough background check process during hiring to reduce insider threats. This helps ensure that employees who are given access to sensitive information are trustworthy and less likely to engage in harmful actions, either intentionally or unintentionally. While background checks can provide valuable insights, they should be conducted respectfully and in compliance with privacy laws, local laws, and regulations. This applies not only to employees but also to contractors, consultants, and third-party vendors who have access to sensitive systems. Additionally, it’s important to balance thorough vetting with respect for individual rights and fairness in the hiring process.

2. Strengthen Authentication and Access Controls

One of the biggest risks organizations face is insiders having excessive or unnecessary access to critical data. When too many people have unrestricted access to critical systems, the risk of intentional misuse or accidental leaks increases dramatically. To reduce this risk, leaders must enforce strict access controls, ensuring that every insider only has access to the data and systems necessary for their role (Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)). Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is essential to prevent unauthorized logins, even if passwords are stolen. Additionally, setting up alerts for suspicious login attempts allows for early intervention before damage is done. By limiting access and enforcing authentication safeguards, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of insider threats.

3. Shape Employee Behavior to Prevent Insider Threats

Insider threats aren’t just about bad actors—poor security habits can be just as dangerous. Whether it’s an employee deliberately misusing data or carelessly exposing it, behavior is the deciding factor. Security awareness training ensures employees recognize risky actions before they become security incidents. Instead of blindly following rules, they learn why their actions matter and how to handle sensitive data responsibly. When mistakes happen, remedial training helps reinforce better security habits and prevents future risks. A security-first culture empowers employees to report threats, stay vigilant, and take responsibility. When security awareness becomes instinct, insider threats lose their advantage.

4. Encourage a Reporting Culture to Strengthen Security

Even with strong policies, insider threats can go unnoticed if employees are afraid to speak up. A strong security culture isn’t about spreading distrust—it’s about empowering employees to report concerns responsibly. Implement anonymous reporting channels so employees can flag suspicious activity without fear of retaliation. Foster open communication where reporting isn’t seen as blaming but as protecting the organization. Encourage employees to report not just malicious behavior, but also accidental mistakes before they lead to bigger issues. Leaders should reinforce that security is a shared responsibility, not just an IT concern. When employees feel safe and supported, they become active defenders against insider threats.

5. Ensure Proper Employee Offboarding

One of the most overlooked insider threats comes from former employees who retain access to company systems, data, or accounts after their departure. To mitigate this risk, organizations must implement a structured offboarding process that ensures access is revoked immediately upon an employee’s resignation or termination. This includes deactivating user accounts, disabling login credentials, revoking remote access, and reclaiming company-issued devices. Conduct exit interviews to understand if there are any concerns or issues that could lead to insider threats. Additionally, organizations should conduct a post-exit security review, ensuring that the former employee did not transfer sensitive files or leave behind unauthorized access points.

6. Ensure Effective Monitoring of Unusual Activity

Even with preventive measures in place, some insider threats may still go undetected until they escalate. Early detection is crucial to stopping security incidents before they cause significant damage. However, monitoring should be done with respect for employees’ privacy and trust, ensuring that security measures do not create a culture of suspicion but rather a workplace where everyone feels valued and protected. Establish processes to ensure system and file access logs are regularly reviewed for any unexpected activity. Security teams should have measures in place to detect instances where employees access files beyond their normal job functions or at unusual hours. Leverage existing email, cloud storage, and network services that provide free activity logs and alerts to notify administrators of suspicious activity, such as mass downloads or external data sharing.

Strengthen Security Without Undermining Trust

People are the greatest assets of any organization—employees, contractors, business partners, and even vendors all play a role in its success. They drive innovation, maintain operations, and contribute to a company’s success. However, in today’s evolving threat landscape, insider threats are a reality we cannot ignore. This does not mean we should view our employees with suspicion or create a culture of distrust. Instead, leaders must strike a balance between trust and security—protecting the organization while fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and respected.

By taking proactive security measures, organizations aren’t assuming the worst about their people. Rather, they are ensuring that everyone—employees, customers, and stakeholders—are safeguarded from potential risks. Implementing these preventive strategies is not about doubting loyalty but about staying one step ahead in an unpredictable world.