Insider Threat: Understanding the Risks from Within

Navigating the Threat Landscape of Insider Risks

The use case of insider threats is complex and multifaceted. Often dramatized in films and television, these scenarios reveal the myriad of ways individuals within an organization can turn against it. In the realm of cybersecurity, insider threats are defined as the misuse of authorized access by someone within the organization to inflict harm via digital channels. The 2021 Insider Threat Report indicates a surprising consensus among companies: virtually all feel exposed to this risk.

Recognizing an Insider

Who exactly is an insider? Basically, it’s any individual with sanctioned access or insights into a company’s assets. Additionally, this broad definition extends beyond the limits of a traditional payroll.

The Unseen Saboteurs: Intentional vs. Unintentional Threats

Insider threats can be listed into two primary types: intentional and unintentional. Unintentional threats often stem from simple carelessness, particularly with hardware. Reports by organizations like the Ponemon Institute suggest that more than half of internal security incidents are the result of employee negligence.

Hardware attacks rely on social engineering techniques that exploit human vulnerabilities, particularly greed. An example is the distribution of compromised iPhone chargers, cleverly hidden as promotional giveaways. Plugged into an organization’s network, these devices can launch cyber attacks from the inside.

Similarly, airport charging stations present a easy trap for the weary traveler. The readily available charging cords not only power up devices but can also siphon data from them. Potentially compromising sensitive work-related information.

The Calculated Breach

The intentional insider threat, although less frequent, is often more devastating due to the attacker’s intimate knowledge of the organization’s weak spots. These are the saboteurs who carefully plan their attacks, motivated by financial gain or personal vendettas. They have the means to introduce compromised devices. Such as the infamous Rubber Ducky USB (USB Attacks), into the heart of the company’s infrastructure.

Some insiders are coerced into malicious acts through blackmail, thus becoming unwilling participants in the cyber assault. They are the manipulated pawns in the larger scheme of corporate espionage.

The Insider Threat Beyond the Paycheck

Threats also arise from third parties like contractors and service personnel, who have access to the premises but not necessarily allegiance to the company. In scenarios like the “evil maid attack” , these individuals, whether bribed or impersonated, can introduce harmful devices into the organization’s ecosystem.

The Subtle Weaponry of Rogue Devices

This discussion highlights why opponents favor hardware-based attacks. The market is awash with sophisticated tools capable of launching a spectrum of covert operations. A significant concern for businesses is the difficulty in detecting these rogue devices, which can lead to profound security breaches.

The Achilles’ Heel of Cyber Defense

Compromised hardware, such as “juice jacking” of iPhone chargers, are engineered to bypass standard security protocols by mimicking legitimate hardware on a physical level. Traditional security measures often overlook the Physical Layer, leaving a blind spot in an organization’s defenses.

Bridging the Insider Threat Security Gap with Sepio

Sepio’s solution offers a remedy for the oversight in device visibility. By delving into physical layer visibility, the fundamental level of network communication, Sepio ensures comprehensive device management. Specifically, it detects and neutralizes rogue devices through an integrated approach that complements the Zero Trust model, fortifying the organization’s defenses from the ground up.

Sepio’s solution stands out by not requiring additional hardware and refraining from cumbersome monitoring network traffic. Deployment is swift, providing a complete overview of all connected assets, including previously invisible or vulnerable devices, within 24 hours.

A New Perspective on Asset Management

Sepio doesn’t just add a layer of security; it transforms your approach to asset risk management. With Sepio’s pioneering technology, you can uncover all known and hidden devices, allowing for effective risk prioritization and mitigation.

Embrace the insight of experts. Learn how Sepio’s patented technology can empower you to take command of your asset risks. Engage with a specialist to understand the full scope of your organization’s vulnerabilities and secure the front lines against the subtleties of insider threats.