Weekly Security Tip - Insider Threats: What You Need to Know

Headline: Insider threats are one of the most overlooked cybersecurity risks.

When people think of cyberattacks, they usually imagine hackers breaking in from the outside. But many data breaches actually originate from inside an organization.

Insider threats can include employees, contractors, vendors, or former staff who misuse access to sensitive systems or data. Sometimes this is intentional — such as theft of client information or financial data. Other times it happens accidentally through negligence, poor security habits, or falling victim to phishing.

For financial professionals and firms handling sensitive client information, insider threats can lead to regulatory exposure, reputational damage, and significant financial loss.

Quick Tips

What You Should Do:

• Follow the principle of least privilege — only grant access needed for a role
• Immediately remove access for departing employees or contractors
• Monitor unusual account activity or data downloads
• Use security awareness training to reduce accidental insider risk
• Require strong authentication and device security controls

Call to Action: Cybersecurity isn’t just about stopping outside attackers.
Strong internal controls and access management are essential to protecting your firm and your clients.