What insider threats should you be aware of to secure your network?

Securing your network against insider threats requires awareness of various types of insider risks and behaviors that could compromise security. Here are some insider threats to be aware of: Malicious Insiders Careless or Negligent Employees Compromised Accounts Insider Trading Data Theft and Intellectual Property Theft Disgruntled Employees Third-Party Vendors and Contractors By understanding these insider threats and implementing proactive security measures, organizations can better protect their networks, data, and assets against insider risks and vulnerabilities

the default is disgruntled employees. But there are far more common ones. 1. inefficient or effective programming and monitoring systems caused by gaps from budget constraints. 2. leadership forget the rule...you can only have 2 of these: good, fast, cheap, well documented. most pick fast and cheap.

The answer to this question depends on what type of environment you are need to secure. When protecting a SaaS environment there should only be a few folks with access to maintain the production system. This is quite different from an enterprise with thousands of laptops to protect. SaaS administrators must know that they are being monitored and are then not likely to risk job loss or criminal prosecution by being malicious. However use of EDR can protect their devices from infection. Further, 2 factor, JIT access, least privilege, and separation of duties, are used to further protect the environment. Some UBA will not work well in this environment since folks are responding to a variety of production issues all hours of the day.

In my experience, the most dangerous insider threats are often the hardest to detect. Turncoats, for instance, can be particularly tricky as they are driven by personal motives and often have a deep understanding of your network. Similarly, compromised accounts can be a nightmare to deal with, as they are essentially outsiders masquerading as trusted insiders. It's crucial to establish a culture of security, where everyone understands the importance of proactive security measures, and to regularly conduct risk assessments and penetration testing. Remember, in cybersecurity, it's always "trust but verify".

Malicious Insiders: Employees who misuse their access to steal data, sabotage systems, or harm the company. Careless Insiders: Employees who accidentally compromise security due to negligence. Third-Party Insiders: Contractors or partners with access who might become a threat. Disgruntled Insiders: Employees who seek revenge by leaking information or disrupting operations. Unintentional Insiders: Employees tricked by social engineering or who unknowingly install malware.

To detect insider threats, organizations can employ various techniques: User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Identifies abnormal behavior patterns. Monitoring System Logs: Watches for unauthorized access and suspicious activities. Privileged Access Management (PAM):Controls and logs privileged account usage. Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitors data flows for unauthorized transfers. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Watches endpoints for malicious activities. Employee Monitoring:Within limits, observes employee activities. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):Correlates security events for threat detection. Regular Security Audits:Helps identify vulnerabilities and security gaps.

Again it depends on the type of person that you are monitoring. If you are monitoring hundreds or thousands of users across a large enterprise, you will absolutely need a good UBA tool. The only one I am familiar with is Internet by Micro Focus (now part of OpenText). Interest works well for employees with regular hours and regular duties. If you have many employees who are on call at all hours of the day or who access a diverse set of services to support large complex systems, you will likely see a lot of false positives for these folks. It is still much much better than going without UBA. Even with such a team, each interest report has sufficient information to quickly determine if suspicious activity is possibly inappropriate.

La detección de amenazas internas es un desafío complejo, ya que los atacantes suelen tener acceso legítimo a la información y los sistemas de la organización. Sin embargo, existen algunas señales que pueden indicar una posible amenaza interna, como: Comportamiento Actividad inusual en la red Intentos de acceso no autorizados Software malicioso Para esto se puede automatizar la detección incorporando herramientas como Sistemas de detección de intrusiones (IDS) Sistemas de prevención de intrusiones (IPS) Software de análisis de comportamiento de usuarios (UBA) Herramientas de monitoreo de datos

Implement tools and systems to track user activities and identify deviations from normal behavior patterns. Analyze network logs, access logs, and other data sources to detect suspicious activities. Conduct and review audits. Use data analytics for changing behavioral patten. Review user access rights, permissions, and activity logs to identify any unauthorized or suspicious behavior.

Monitoramento de Comportamento: Implemente sistemas de monitoramento de comportamento do usuário e da rede. Ferramentas de análise comportamental podem identificar padrões anômalos e atividades suspeitas, alertando para possíveis ameaças internas. Análise de Tráfego: Realize uma análise detalhada do tráfego de rede para identificar padrões de comunicação incomuns. Isso pode incluir comunicação com servidores não autorizados, transferências de dados anormais ou padrões de tráfego inconsistentes. Auditoria de Acesso: Mantenha registros detalhados de atividades de acesso, monitorando quem acessa quais recursos e quando. Isso facilita a detecção de padrões incomuns ou acessos não autorizados.

The thing I worry about the most is not malicious insider threats, but unintentional threats due to infected workstations and compromised accounts. I really like the tool hoxhunt, which trains users how to identify and report malicious emails. We should all remember, as Albus Dumbledore says "Every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this [clouds] walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon... is you. There's something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip."

There is no 100% prevention. You can reduce the risk of Insider threats by leveraging the Principle of Least Privilege for all users, using separate admin vs. user accounts, and implementing a Data Loss Prevention solution that prevents a user from sending specific information out the back door (via Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). EDR/MDR/XDR can help to prevent and detect malware from being launched on your network. Detection is JUST as important as prevention, however. Use User Entity and Behavior Analytics and user activity logging to create alerts when users behave out of the ordinary. Egress Firewall Whitelisting and strong network monitoring can also detect out-of-the-ordinary behavior and changes on your network.

Implement strict access controls and the principle of least privilege, ensuring employees have only the access necessary to perform their duties will be a very good start to mitigate insider threats, while regularly train employees on security best practices, phishing awareness, and the importance of protecting sensitive information remain the winning and your trusted number in this lottery.

Preventing insider threats can be challenging, but there are several measures organizations can take to minimize the risk. Here are some strategies: 1. Implement a strong security culture 2. Establish clear policies and procedures 3. Conduct background checks 4. Limit access to sensitive information 5. Monitor user activity 6. Implement data encryption and access controls 7. Educate employees on security awareness 8. Have a response plan in place By implementing these strategies, organizations can reduce the risk of insider threats and protect their sensitive data from potential harm.

To prevent insider threats, organizations should implement technical controls like strict access controls, two-factor authentication, and data encryption, alongside behavioral analytics to detect suspicious activity. Employee education programs are essential to train staff on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing attempts and safeguarding sensitive data. Clear security policies should be established and enforced consistently, outlining acceptable behavior and reporting procedures. Thorough vetting processes for new hires and robust monitoring mechanisms help detect and deter insider threats effectively. Developing a comprehensive incident response plan enables organizations to respond promptly to identified threats.

Insider threat is anything that will cause harm to the company from inside either knowingly or unknowingly. Hence, we have to monitor for any activity that is abnormal. This can be done by something like UBA products.

Insider threats to network security include disgruntled employees who may misuse access for harm, careless staff causing accidental breaches, and departing employees taking sensitive data. Privileged users, like IT admins, pose significant risks if their accounts are compromised. Third-party vendors with network access can also be a threat vector. Regularly updating access permissions, monitoring user activities, and implementing strict data control policies are crucial. Training staff on security best practices and conducting thorough background checks are equally important. Balancing trust with verification and maintaining an alert stance against unusual activities within the network are key to mitigating these risks.

Las organizaciones también pueden considerar: Implementar un programa de reconocimiento de empleados para recompensar a los empleados que reportan actividades sospechosas. Ofrecer programas de asistencia a los empleados que están pasando por dificultades personales. Crear un ambiente de trabajo positivo donde los empleados se sientan valorados y respetados. Al tomar un enfoque proactivo para prevenir las amenazas internas, las organizaciones pueden proteger sus activos y su reputación.

Consider implementing least privilege access controls to limit users' access to only the resources they need to perform their job functions. Regularly reviewing and updating user permissions and access rights can help mitigate the risk of insider threats. Also, establishing a culture of accountability and transparency, encourage employees to report suspicious behavior or security incidents promptly. Conducting thorough background checks during the hiring process and periodically reviewing employees' access and activities can also help identify potential insider threats early on. Deploying robust encryption protocols and data loss prevention measures can safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access or exfiltration by insiders.