Insider threats: Malicious and negligent incidents on the rise

As noted by Tech Radar, recent research indicates a notable increase in both malicious and negligent insider threat incidents.

A Mimecast survey of 2,500 IT decision-makers revealed that 42% of organizations experienced a rise in malicious insider threats, a jump from 33% the previous year. Concurrently, the same percentage reported an increase in negligent incidents. This parity signifies a major shift, where intentional acts of betrayal are now on par with accidental mistakes. On average, companies face six insider incidents monthly, each costing approximately $13.1 million. Two-thirds of respondents anticipate an increase in insider-related data loss in the coming year.

Negligent actions can range from misdirecting sensitive data to using unsanctioned cloud tools like potentially data-harvesting PDF converters, which can also deliver malware. Malicious insiders, often former or disgruntled employees, may steal sensitive data or grant unauthorized access to corporate networks, sometimes for financial gain.

Source: Tech Radar