Human-Driven vs. Employee-Driven Cyber Risk: Understanding the Key Differences

In 2024, 50% of businesses and 32% of charities in the UK reported experiencing a cybersecurity breach or attack (UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024), underscoring the persistent threat of human error in cyber incidents. The 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report by Ventures further reveals that the human element was involved in 68% of breaches, proving that cybercriminals continue to exploit human vulnerabilities—whether through social engineering, negligence, or insider threats.

Despite the rising threat, many cybersecurity professionals—such as CISOs, IT security administrators, and security managers—use human-driven cyber risk and employee-driven cyber risk interchangeably, leading to confusion. However, these risks are not the same. Understanding their differences is critical for building effective cybersecurity strategies that tackle threats both inside the organization and from external sources.

This blog breaks down the key differences between human-driven and employee-driven cyber risks, their impact, and how organizations can mitigate them to enhance security.

What is Human-Driven Cyber Risk?

Human-driven cyber risk refers to any cybersecurity threat caused by human behavior—whether intentional or unintentional—that compromises security. Unlike employee-driven risks, which are limited to internal staff, human-driven risks encompass everyone who interacts with an organization’s cybersecurity framework. This includes employees, executives, vendors, partners, customers, and even attackers.

Key Examples of Human-Driven Cyber Risk:

• Social Engineering Attacks – Cybercriminals exploit human psychology to deceive individuals into revealing credentials, transferring funds, or granting unauthorized access.
• Negligence & Poor Cyber Hygiene – Employees and third parties weaken security by using weak passwords, ignoring software updates, or disregarding security protocols.
• Malicious Insiders – Individuals with authorized access intentionally misuse their privileges for personal gain, espionage, or sabotage.
• Third-Party Risks – Vendors and partners with inadequate security controls can serve as entry points for cybercriminals.
• Security Awareness Gaps – Employees with insufficient cybersecurity training are more likely to fall for phishing, smishing, and vishing attacks.

How It Impacts Businesses

Human-driven cyber risks can cause massive financial and operational damage, as seen in the September 2023 MGM Resorts cyberattack. Hackers used social engineering—a classic human-driven cyber risk—to trick MGM employees into resetting passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, giving attackers full access to critical systems.

For nearly a week, operations at Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and other MGM properties were paralyzed. Guests were locked out of their rooms, slot machines stopped working, ATMs failed, and online bookings were disrupted. Beyond operational chaos, the breach exposed customer data and cost MGM an estimated $100 million in damages. (Source)

This attack highlights how cybercriminals manipulate human behavior to bypass security controls, leading to severe business disruptions and financial losses.

What is Employee-Driven Cyber Risk?

Employee-driven cyber risk is a type of human-driven risk that comes specifically from an organization’s employees. It occurs when employees—whether accidentally or intentionally—compromise security through their actions, such as mishandling data, ignoring security policies, or making configuration errors.

Key Examples of Employee-Driven Cyber Risk:

• Phishing Susceptibility – Employees fall for phishing emails, clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments.
• Unauthorized Data Sharing – Employees send sensitive files via personal email, unapproved cloud storage, or USB drives.
• Misconfiguration of Systems – IT staff or employees set up security controls incorrectly, leading to data exposure or system vulnerabilities.
• Password Mismanagement – Employees reuse weak passwords, share credentials, or fail to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Shadow IT – Employees use unauthorized applications or cloud services that bypass security protocols, increasing risk.
• Privileged Access Misuse – Users with admin rights make unauthorized changes, creating security gaps or enabling insider threats.

How It Impacts Businesses

Employee mistakes and misconduct can lead to severe security breaches. In October 2024, Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, faced a major employee-driven data breach when a staff member illegally accessed the accounts of thousands of customers, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The employee was fired, and the bank reported the breach to the Data Protection Authority, emphasizing the need for stronger internal security. This incident highlights the risks of insider threats and the importance of strict data controls, employee monitoring, and continuous security audits. (Source: Reuters)

Key Differences Between Human-Driven & Employee-Driven Cyber Risks

While both human-driven and employee-driven cyber risks stem from human actions, their scope, causes, and impact differ significantly. Human-driven risks involve threats from both internal and external sources, such as employees, vendors, and attackers, whereas employee-driven risks are specifically tied to an organization’s workforce. Recognizing these differences is key to implementing security measures that reduce employee errors, detect insider threats, and strengthen defenses against external attacks.

The table below outlines the key differences between human-driven and employee-driven cyber risks.

Table 1: Key Differences Between Human-Driven and Employee-Driven Cyber Risks

How to Mitigate Both Risks Effectively

Minimizing human-driven and employee-driven cyber risks requires a combination of training, security policies, and automated threat detection. Keepnet’s tools provide comprehensive solutions to address these challenges:

• Strengthen Security Awareness Training – Try Keepnet’s Adaptive Security Awareness Training, which uses AI-driven phishing simulations, behavior-based learning, and executive reports to combat social engineering threats and improve security awareness.
• Enforce Zero-Trust Security – Implement strict access controls and continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized access. Keepnet’s security solutions help enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based permissions to ensure only authorized users can access critical systems.
• Secure Third-Party Interactions – Weak security practices among vendors and third parties can create entry points for cyberattacks, exposing sensitive company data. Keepnet’s Threat Intelligence detects compromised employee credentials, assesses supplier risks, and provides breach details to help organizations take immediate action.
• Automate Phishing Incident Response – A fast response to phishing attempts can prevent breaches before they escalate. Try Keepnet’s Incident Responder to automatically detect, analyze, and neutralize email-based threats in real time.
• Implement Continuous Risk Assessment – Understanding employee risk levels helps organizations apply targeted security measures. For example, Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform tracks high-risk behaviors and adapts training to individual employee needs, reinforcing cybersecurity awareness.

Keepnet’s AI-Driven Approach to Cyber Risk Management

Human errors and insider threats are among the leading causes of data breaches, making it essential to protect employees, contractors, and third parties. Keepnet’s Extended Human Risk Management Platform provides a comprehensive, AI-powered solution that integrates phishing simulations, adaptive security awareness training, and automated phishing response to mitigate cyber risks across the entire ecosystem.

What makes Keepnet unique is its intelligence-driven approach to reducing human-driven and employee-driven risks:

• Multi-Channel Phishing Simulations – Conducts AI-driven simulations across email, SMS, voice, QR codes, MFA, and callback phishing to train employees and measure vulnerability levels.
• Adaptive Security Awareness Training – Uses behavior-based learning and personalized training paths to strengthen employee security awareness and embed safe practices.
• AI-Powered Phishing Analysis & Response – Empowers employees to report threats instantly, with AI-driven analysis and automated responses, allowing security teams to act 168 times faster.
• Supply Chain and Third-Party Security – Extends risk management beyond employees to vendors and external partners, securing the entire ecosystem.
• Automated Threat Intelligence Sharing – Provides real-time threat intelligence to help organizations proactively defend against emerging cyber threats.

By combining AI, automation, and continuous monitoring, Keepnet enables organizations to identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats more effectively, reducing human-driven security risks.

Managing Human- vs. Employee-Driven Cyber Risks

Effectively managing human-driven and employee-driven cyber risks requires a strategic, multi-layered approach. While employee-driven risks can be reduced through training, policies, and security controls, human-driven risks extend beyond the organization, requiring external threat monitoring, vendor security assessments, and strong governance. By combining technical defenses with human-centric security programs, organizations can proactively identify, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats more effectively.