Research from ObserveIT Reveals Major Insider Threat Disconnect in the Workplace

Majority of respondents say they understand the definition of an
insider threat, but data shows the insider threat risk is growing rapidly

BOSTON (BUSINESS WIRE) ObserveIT ,

the leading insider threat management provider with more than 1,700

customers around the world, today released the

Multigenerational

that reveals the

disconnect between cybersecurity awareness and insider threat risk, and

the differences in generational cybersecurity awareness within the

workplace. ObserveIT surveyed more than 1,000 full-time employees ages

18-65+ at organizations with more than 500 employees on their

understanding and awareness of cybersecurity programs. The results show

the majority (65 percent) of respondents reported they understand the

definition of an insider threat.

The data indicates 64 percent of respondents agree careless employees or

contractors are the most common cause of insider threats. This directly

correlates with

recent

from the Ponemon Institute showing negligent insider actions

caused 64 percent of all insider threat incidents in the past 12 months.

The Ponemon data also shows the risk posed by insider threats is growing

year-over-year. Since 2016, the average number of incidents involving

employee or contractor negligence has increased by 26 percent and the

cost to contain an incident in North America has risen to $11.01 million.

The fact that employees self-report understanding insider threats and

adhering to cybersecurity policies, while insider threat-related

incidents continue to rise, indicates organizations may have a false

sense of security based on their expectations of employees’

understanding of insider threats. Lack of consistent understanding

around the risks posed by insider threat activity can introduce

accidental or negligent insider threat behavior within the workplace.

And, the increased risk of insider threats is costing organizations

significant money and resources as these threats can be difficult to

detect, identify and prevent without the right processes and technology

in place.

“While the threat of the insider continues to grow, this research proves

that when it comes to cybersecurity awareness and insider threat

prevention, organizations need to take a holistic approach to

cybersecurity and focus on people first, then processes and technology,”

said ObserveIT CEO Mike McKee. “With a new generation entering the

workforce, organizations should increase security awareness training for

new hires and implement processes and technology to ensure both

employees and contractors with access to systems and data understand and

adhere to the company cybersecurity policy to prevent insider threats.”

Key findings from the survey include:

The Risk of the Accidental Insider: Almost two-thirds (61
percent) of respondents say they know what an insider threat is.
However, this points to the dangers posed by nave employees who may
not understand the hidden dangers of insider threats, or who may only
define insider threats as purely malicious in intent rather than
malicious and negligent behavior. The Generational Divide: Generation X and Baby Boomers are the
least risky generations within the workplace, as 90 percent of
45-54-year-olds and 55-64-year-olds report they follow their company’s
cybersecurity policy. Entrants to the Workforce Present Challenges: Generation Z
poses the highest overall cybersecurity risk to organizations, as more
than one third (34 percent) of 18-24-year-olds report that they don’t
know nor understand what is included within their company’s
cybersecurity policy. This group was also the most likely of any
generation to report that they do not follow their company’s
cybersecurity policy, even if they do understand it.

To review the results of ObserveIT’s Multigenerational Workforce and

Insider Threat Riskstudy,

visit

here

.

For more information on ObserveIT and to review the 2018 Ponemon

Institute Cost of Insider Threats: Global Organizations study,

visit

here

.

About ObserveIT

ObserveIT is the leading Insider Threat

Management solution with more than 1,700 customers across 87 countries.

ObserveIT is the only solution that empowers security teams to detect

insider threats, streamline the investigation process, and prevent data

exfiltration. With 300+ out-of-the-box insider threat indicators of

compromise, rich metadata and outstanding search capability and playback

of any policy violation, ObserveIT provides comprehensive visibility

into what people contractors, privileged users and high-risk users

are doing, and reduces investigation time from days to minutes. For more

information visit: www.observeit.com .

Contacts

ObserveIT Media Contact:

Hannah Curtis, 617-502-4350

ObserveIT@pancomm.com

Do you think you can beat this Sweet post? If so, you may have what it takes to become a Sweetcode contributor...Learn More.