Employees Can Be The Biggest Threat - And Assett - For Workplace Security Programs
Corporations and organizations often face their biggest threat from the inside.
Insiders have access and knowledge of corporate systems and information, and nobody will question their presence at a facility or involvement with privileged information.
Some insider threats may be unintentional—caused by negligence or simple error. But others are malicious, with insiders either carrying out criminal acts themselves or supplying pertinent information to outsiders.
Some companies have started to take steps to limit the amount of information insiders can carry out of a workplace, but in the past disgruntled employees have circumvented stricter policies by doing things as simple as taking a photo of a computer screen with a mobile phone. At times, insiders can be plants from the beginning, seeking out jobs with certain organizations for the sole purpose of eventually harming that organization.
In order to combat insider threats, companies should complete ongoing vetting of their employees, monitoring potentially problematic developments like the accrual of significant debt or a gambling addiction.
Organizations can also use artificial intelligence tools to monitor employee access and flag any anomalous or troubling behaviour. Individual organizations must consider their own purpose and service to develop a plan against physical acts of violence.
Above all else, companies should remember that the most effective security plans include collaboration between information security officials, corporate legal officials, human resources officials, and more.