The Escalating Challenge of Insider Threats

The surge in insider threats is alarming. The 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) reveals that insider-related incidents constitute nearly 60% of all data breaches, underscoring the pressing need for robust internal security measures. The 2023 Cost of Insider Risks Global Report by Ponemon Institute notes the price of insider threat incidents has increased by nearly 95% between 2018 and 2023. Additionally, it takes an average of over 2 months for an organization to contain an insider incident according to IBM’s cost of Insider Threats report. Beyond time and monetary losses, the repercussions can include damaged reputations and regulatory penalties, elevating insider threat to a critical concern for organizations.

Behavioral Signs:

• Unusual work hours, such as frequent late-night logins
• Persistent breaches of company policies
• Active job hunting or increased communication with competitors
• Questionable associations with external vendors or rival firms
• Social media posts expressing dissatisfaction or hinting at internal issues

Technical Signs

• Large-scale data downloads or unauthorized transfers
• Use of personal devices or emails for handling sensitive information
• Attempts to erase system logs or disable security protocols
• Accessing data or systems beyond one’s role requirements

Organizational Signs:

• Recent resignations or disciplinary measures
• Opposition to security enhancements or habitual non-compliance
• Dependence on a single vendor, raising collusion risks
• Other security breaches or failed security audits, indicating insufficient security controls

Understanding the extensive impact of insider threats is vital for senior leadership.
Organizations are spending an annual average of $17.4 million to combat insider threats in 2025, up from $16.2 million in 2023, according to the Ponemon Institute’s 2025 Cost of Insider Risks Report. Data breaches, fraud, and fines can create significant financial strain and directly impact profit margins and investor trust. The exposure of sensitive information also erodes customer and stakeholder confidence, potentially diminishing brand value.

Additionally, insider attacks can halt business operations by disabling systems or leaking proprietary information, hindering strategic initiatives and growth. Failure to adhere to industry regulations can lead to severe fines and legal challenges, increasing an organization’s liability. In sectors like healthcare and critical infrastructure, insider threats can compromise essential systems, posing risks to human safety and intensifying scrutiny of executive management. As these threats continue to grow, organizations must prioritize proactive defense measures to safeguard their assets and ensure long-term resilience.

Detecting insider threats and suspicious actors requires a rigorous approach.
To shield vital assets, organizations should:

• Implement Monitoring: Keeping a vigilant eye on behavioral, technical, and organizational indicators to preempt potential issues.
• Leverage Investigative Expertise: Engage specialists to delve into suspected insider activities and attribute malicious actions accurately.
• Interdepartmental Cooperation: Ensuring seamless collaboration among security, HR, and legal departments to formulate a cohesive defense strategy.
• Integrate Threat Intelligence: Employing sophisticated investigative technologies and intelligence resources to identify malicious activities before they escalate, mitigating financial and regulatory repercussions.

Proactive defense against insider threats not only mitigates financial, reputational, and operational risks but also ensures business continuity and the safeguarding of sensitive data.

Nisos: Your Partner in Mitigating Insider Threats

Nisos offers strategic insights tailored for enterprise security teams, aligning insider threat mitigation with overarching business objectives. Our specialized services focus on identifying individuals that pose a threat and include:

• Comprehensive Threat Assessments: Analyzing individual risk profiles and digital footprints to inform executive decisions.
• In-Depth Investigations: Thoroughly examining suspected insider threats and attributing malicious activities to prevent organizational exposure.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Tracking insider behaviors and external interactions to maintain robust enterprise security.

By harnessing expert intelligence, cutting-edge investigative tools, and proactive threat monitoring, Nisos empowers organizations to identify and neutralize insider threats before they escalate into financial, reputational, or operational crises.

Insider threats are an evolving and costly challenge for businesses. However, with the right intelligence solutions, organizations can bolster operational resilience. Safeguarding an organization from internal risks is as crucial as defending against external threats. By adopting a strategic, intelligence-driven approach, businesses can effectively mitigate insider risks and secure long-term stability.

Want to learn more about how Nisos can help you protect against insider threats? Download our Insider Threat Intelligence Solutions Brief.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Insider Threats

1. What is an insider threat?
An insider threat is a security risk posed by an individual within an organization—such as an employee, contractor, or partner—who misuses their access to sensitive data, systems, or operations. These threats can be intentional or accidental, leading to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.

2. How common are insider threats?
Insider threats are a growing concern, accounting for nearly 60% of all data breaches, according to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). The cost of insider incidents has also surged by 95% over the last five years, making them a critical cybersecurity issue.

3. What are the signs of an insider threat?
Common indicators of insider threats include:

• Behavioral Signs: Unusual work hours, frequent policy violations, job hunting, or disgruntled social media activity.
• Technical Signs: Large data transfers, unauthorized system access, or attempts to erase security logs.
• Organizational Signs: Resistance to security measures, dependence on a single vendor, or prior security breaches.

4. How do insider threats impact businesses?
Insider threats can lead to financial losses, legal penalties, reputational harm, and operational disruptions. On average, businesses spend $17.4 million annually to combat insider threats, and failure to mitigate them can result in stolen intellectual property, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust.

5. What industries are most affected by insider threats?
Industries dealing with sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, government, and technology, are at high risk. Insider threats in these sectors can compromise customer data, intellectual property, and even public safety.

6. How can organizations detect insider threats?
Organizations can identify insider threats through:

• Continuous monitoring of user behavior and access logs.
• Investigating unusual network activity or policy violations.
• Collaborating across security, HR, and legal teams to spot potential risks.
• Utilizing insider threat intelligence and investigative tools.

7. What measures can businesses take to prevent insider threats?
To prevent insider threats, businesses should:

• Implement strict access controls and limit data exposure.
• Conduct regular security training for employees.
• Use advanced threat intelligence to monitor suspicious activity.
• Establish clear policies for handling sensitive information.

8. How does threat intelligence help mitigate insider threats?
Threat intelligence helps organizations proactively detect, investigate, and neutralize insider threats before they escalate. Solutions like those offered by Nisos provide in-depth investigations, real-time monitoring, and strategic insights to safeguard businesses from internal risks.

9. Can insider threats be accidental?
Yes, not all insider threats are malicious. Employees may unintentionally expose sensitive data through phishing attacks, weak passwords, or mishandling confidential information. This is why continuous security training and strict data policies are essential.

10. How can businesses respond to an insider threat incident?
If an insider threat is detected, businesses should:

• Investigate the activity with cybersecurity and legal teams.
• Restrict the insider’s access to sensitive data and systems.
• Document evidence and, if necessary, take legal action.
• Strengthen security measures to prevent future incidents.

11. Where can I learn more about real-world insider threat cases?
Explore real-life case studies in our Insider Threat Case Study eBook to see how businesses have identified and mitigated insider risks.

Protect Your Business from Insider Threats with Nisos
Learn how our intelligence-driven approach can help you mitigate insider threats effectively.

Download our Insider Threat Intelligence Solutions Brief today.

About Nisos®

Nisos is the Managed Intelligence Company. We are a trusted digital investigations partner, specializing in unmasking threats to protect people, organizations, and their digital ecosystems in the commercial and public sectors. Our open source intelligence services help security, intelligence, legal, and trust and safety teams make critical decisions, impose real world consequences, and increase adversary costs. For more information, visit: https://nisos.com.