How to Minimize Insider Threats by Tackling Human Factors

Insider threats remain one of the most persistent cybersecurity challenges. Unlike external attacks, these threats come from people who already have legitimate access—employees, contractors, or partners. While you can’t completely remove the human element, you can dramatically reduce the risk, especially negligence, by combining smart technology with strong processes.

Why Insider Threats Are So Dangerous

Insider threats account for a significant share of security incidents. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average annual cost of insider threats reached $17.4 million per organization in 2025, up from $16.2 million in 2023. The breakdown of causes is telling: [ponemon.dt…ystems.com]

• 55% of incidents are due to employee negligence (e.g., mishandling data, falling for phishing). [ponemon.org]
• 25% involve malicious insiders, and 20% involve credential theft. [ponemon.org]

The financial impact varies:

• Negligence-related incidents cost $8.8 million annually on average. [ponemon.org]
• Malicious insider incidents average $3.7 million per event, while credential theft costs about $4.8 million per event. [ponemon.org]

The Scale of the Problem

• 83% of organizations experienced at least one insider attack in the past year. [deepstrike.io]
• Human error contributed to 60% of data breaches, according to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report. [keepnetlabs.com]
• Insider-related breaches take an average of 81 days to contain, and delays drive costs higher. [globenewswire.com]
• Malicious insiders are the costliest attack vector, averaging $4.92 million per breach, according to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report. [spycloud.com]

Six Steps to Reduce Insider Threats

Step 1: Automate Access and Reduce Human Error

Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools like Okta and Microsoft Entra ID enforce least privilege access and automate provisioning. For privileged accounts, CyberArk and BeyondTrust rotate credentials and monitor admin sessions.

Why it matters: Manual access management is prone to mistakes. Automation ensures consistency and compliance.

Step 2: Monitor Behavior Continuously

Use User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) tools such as Splunk UBA, Exabeam, and Securonix to detect anomalies like unusual data downloads. Pair these with SIEM platforms like Microsoft Sentinel or IBM QRadar for correlation across systems.

Why it matters: Behavioral analytics catch subtle signs of risk that traditional tools miss.

Step 3: Protect Your Data

Deploy Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools like Symantec DLP, Forcepoint, and Microsoft Purview to prevent sensitive data leaks. On endpoints, CrowdStrike Falcon and SentinelOne detect suspicious activity before it becomes a breach.

Why it matters: Data is the crown jewel. Protecting it reduces the impact of mistakes.

Step 4: Embrace Zero Trust

Solutions like Zscaler, Palo Alto Prisma Access, and Cloudflare Zero Trust enforce identity-based access and continuous verification. Microsegmentation tools such as Illumio limit lateral movement.

Why it matters: Assume nothing and verify everything. This minimizes damage from compromised accounts.

Step 5: Build a Security-First Culture

Regular training through platforms like KnowBe4, Proofpoint Security Awareness, and Infosec IQ helps employees recognize phishing attempts and understand policies. Gamified learning makes it engaging and memorable.

Why it matters: People are your first line of defense. Empower them to make smart decisions.

Step 6: Invest in Insider Threat Programs

Dedicated platforms like DTEX Systems, Ekran System, and ObserveIT provide deep visibility into user activity and help detect risky behavior before it escalates.

Why it matters: Insider threat programs combine technology, process, and people for a holistic approach.

Key Statistics Recap

• $17.4M average annual cost of insider threats per organization (Ponemon). [ponemon.dt…ystems.com]
• 55% of incidents caused by negligence (Ponemon). [ponemon.org]
• 60% of breaches involve human error (Verizon DBIR). [keepnetlabs.com]
• $4.92M average cost of malicious insider breaches (IBM). [spycloud.com]
• 83% of organizations faced insider attacks in the past year (Ponemon). [deepstrike.io]

The Bottom Line

You can’t eliminate the human factor entirely, but you can make it much harder for negligence to cause harm. By combining automation, analytics, and education, you create a layered defense that protects your organization from the inside out.