Internal Cyber Security Threats with Sepio

Internal Cyber Security

Have you considered the impact of human behavior on your organization’s internal cyber security? Surprisingly, the very people within your company—employees, contractors, and partners—can present some of the most significant risks to internal cybersecurity. According to the 2023 Insider Threat Report by Cybersecurity Insiders, 74% of organizations report moderate to severe vulnerability to insider threats. This emphasizes the importance of improving internal cyber security strategies to mitigate these risks.

In recent years, insider threats have emerged more frequently, including malicious attacks and unintentional data leaks caused by employee negligence. To protect against these risks, it’s crucial to understand the role human behavior plays in internal cyber security and build a comprehensive approach to reduce vulnerabilities.

Why Internal Cyber Security Matters

Most organizations focus on external threats—hackers, phishing scams, and ransomware attacks. However, ignoring internal cyber security threats can lead to severe consequences. This threats may come from:

  • Malicious insiders who deliberately steal data or disrupt operations.
  • Negligent employees who accidentally expose systems to threats through poor security practices.
  • Third-party contractors or suppliers who may unintentionally or intentionally access sensitive data without adequate safeguards.

A holistic internal cyber security strategy is necessary for organizations to defend against these risks effectively.

The Role of Employee Awareness in Internal Cyber Security

This article explores the human vulnerabilities that impact internal security. According to a 2022 Ponemon Institute report, approximately 26% of cyber-attacks were the result of malicious insider activity, while 56% stemmed from negligence or errors by employees or vendors. Even with well-intentioned staff, cybersecurity awareness gaps persist, highlighting the need for focused training in internal security.

Employee awareness is essential for safeguarding sensitive information. Regularly educating staff on best practices in internal cyber security can prevent many risks associated with negligence or human error. Training on topics like password hygiene, phishing detection, and data handling protocols is a critical component of an effective security program.

Negligence or Ignorance in Staff

Poor training and complex security protocols often lead to gaps in internal cyber security. This lack of awareness can severely harm your organization internal cybersecurity. In 2023, nearly quarter of cybersecurity breaches were due to negligent staff, and 53% of ransomware attacks had similar causes.

Moreover, a high volume of cybersecurity policies may overwhelm employees, causing them to avoid reporting incidents due to fear of repercussions. In fact, 40% of global businesses report that employees sometimes hide security incidents, leaving potential blind spots in internal cyber security.

Bring Your Own Device Policies

Even if you pride yourself on being a laid-back boss who allows personal device usage, this leniency can introduce flaws. Many cybersecurity incidents stem from human factors linked to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, such as uncontrolled personal devices and data sharing. While cost-effective, BYOD can lead to costly data breaches.

Combatting this doesn’t involve reprogramming human carelessness, but rather enhancing cybersecurity policy enforcement. Only 44% of companies report proper adherence to these policies, highlighting a need for improvement. Education is key.

Your employees may not realize the extent of damage they can cause. Inform them, and consider deploying sophisticated IT cybersecurity software, a strategy favored by 43% of businesses. It’s an investment in your organization’s internal cybersecurity.

How Sepio Strengthens Internal Cyber Security

Addressing these challenges, Sepio’s platform takes human factors into account. Sepio offers full visibility of all hardware assets, even remote ones, using physical layer Asset DNA technology and Machine Learning.

Sepio allows administrators to set detailed, effective policies. If a device violates these policies, Sepio’s platform, can block unauthorized hardware. Effectively reducing risks from both malicious and careless employees. This approach proved effective in a real-life scenario where a client used Sepio to disable an ex-employee’s device, eliminating any threat from that hardware. This illustrates the challenge of identifying internal cyber security threats, and how Sepio offers a solution, effectively playing a high-stakes game of “Where is Your Evil Waldo?” in the realm of cybersecurity.

Ready to Strengthen Your Internal Cyber Security?

Schedule a demo to understand how Sepio can transform your organization’s defense against insider threats and negligence. Our advanced platform offers comprehensive visibility and robust policy enforcement to safeguard your critical assets.

January 4th, 2024