Secure Human Behavior – Recognizing and Reporting Insider Threats

Insider threats often go undetected—not because employees don’t notice suspicious behavior but because they hesitate to report it. Employees fear they might:

• Be wrong and face retaliation.
• Damage relationships with colleagues.
• Be perceived as "overreacting" or "snitching."

“2023 Insider Threat Report" by Cybersecurity Insiders reveals that 74% of organizations are at least moderately vulnerable to insider threats. The report also highlights that 76% of organizations attribute growing business and IT complexity as the main drivers for increased insider risk.

This highlights a key behavioral challenge: insider threat management isn’t just about technology; it’s about empowering employees to act without fear.

In this post, we’ll explore:

• Why recognizing and reporting insider threats is essential for organizational security.
• The psychological barriers that prevent employees from reporting.
• How Keepnet’s Awareness Educator helps employees overcome these barriers, recognize insider threats, and build proactive reporting habits.

What Is an Insider Threat and Why Is Reporting Critical?

An insider threat refers to malicious or negligent actions by employees, contractors, or partners that jeopardize the company’s security. This can involve:

• Data theft – Downloading sensitive data before resignation.
• Sabotage – Deliberate attempts to disrupt systems or operations.
• Negligence – Accidentally sharing sensitive files or mishandling data.

Why Reporting Matters:

• Early intervention prevents small incidents from escalating into full-blown breaches.
• Anonymous reporting can protect the insider from harsher consequences if caught later.
• Insider threats account for 34% of data breaches, yet only 13% are reported by coworkers.

Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training helps employees recognize common insider threat behaviors, providing real-world examples and case studies to illustrate why reporting matters.

Real-World Examples of Insider Threats and Their Impact

Insider threats pose significant risks to organizations, as individuals with authorized access can exploit their positions to cause harm, intentionally or through negligence. Here are some notable real-world examples:

Table 1: Notable Insider Threat Incidents and Their Impacts

These cases illustrate the diverse nature of insider threats, ranging from malicious intent to negligence, and emphasize the importance of robust insider threat detection and prevention strategies within organizations.

The Business and Cybersecurity Benefits of Reporting Insider Threats

Proactively identifying and reporting these threats can mitigate potential damage and enhance overall security. Beyond minimizing risks, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability empowers businesses to protect their assets, improve compliance, and strengthen their cybersecurity posture:

Business Benefits:

• Prevents Financial Loss – Insider breaches cost organizations $15 million annually on average. Early reporting mitigates these losses.
• Regulatory Compliance – Reporting insider threats aligns with data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.
• Preserves Company Culture – Addressing insider issues early prevents broader mistrust and toxic environments.

Cybersecurity Benefits:

• Protects Intellectual Property – Stops the unauthorized transfer of sensitive files.
• Identifies Malicious Insiders – Tracks unusual access or downloading patterns before major breaches occur.
• Limits Access Privileges – Reporting suspicious activity triggers access audits and role adjustments to minimize risk.

Understanding how reporting insider threats integrates with broader security strategies, such as Threat Intelligence Sharing, can help your organization stay one step ahead of emerging risks.

How to Deploy Insider Threat Reporting Behavior (Step by Step)

By empowering employees to identify and report suspicious activity, organizations can mitigate risks, protect sensitive data, and foster a culture of accountability. This step-by-step section outlines practical measures to deploy and sustain insider threat reporting behavior effectively.

Step 1: Educate Employees to Recognize Insider Threats

Insider threats can be subtle, requiring employees to know what behaviors to look for.

Training Focus Areas:

• Sudden data access outside typical job functions.
• Attempts to bypass security protocols.
• Unusual interest in confidential projects or systems.

Keepnet’s Awareness Educator offers interactive training to teach employees how to spot insider threats and understand the critical importance of early reporting.

Launch Insider Threat Training.

Step 2: Overcome Psychological Barriers to Reporting

Fear, shame, and uncertainty often stop employees from reporting insider threats.

Keepnet’s Awareness Educator removes these barriers by:

• Providing real-world examples where reporting saved organizations from major breaches.
• Using positive reinforcement to reward employees who engage in reporting exercises.
• Simulating reporting scenarios to make employees comfortable with the process.

This approach normalizes reporting and shifts the narrative from fear to responsibility.

Step 3: Create a Safe and Anonymous Reporting Environment

Anonymous reporting channels protect employees and encourage participation.

• Deploy secure platforms where employees can report threats anonymously.
• Reinforce the message that reporting is confidential, non-punitive, and essential.

Keepnet’s Awareness Educator can integrate with anonymous reporting tools to ensure employees feel safe sharing their concerns.

Explore Keepnet Phishing Reporter.

Step 4: Reward and Recognize Reporting Behavior

Recognition not only reinforces positive behavior but also encourages others to follow suit. Here’s how to implement this step effectively:

Incentivize Reporting:

• Recognize teams and individuals who contribute to insider threat detection.
• Offer incentives for accurate and proactive reporting, reinforcing the value of engagement.

Gamification and Rewards:

• Use leaderboards and point systems to encourage participation.
• Publicly celebrate employees who help avert security incidents.

Keepnet’s Gamification Dashboard tracks reporting activity, encouraging a proactive security culture.

Learn About the Power of Gamification in Security Awareness Training.

Final Thoughts: Creating a Culture of Security

Recognizing and reporting insider threats is an essential part of building a resilient, secure organization.

By fostering secure reporting habits through:

• Education and simulation exercises
• Breaking psychological barriers with positive reinforcement
• Providing anonymous reporting channels

Organizations can proactively prevent insider breaches and cultivate a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility.