The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released a new resource titled Assembling a Multi-Disciplinary Insider Threat Management Team. This guidance arrives at a moment when insider threats are becoming more complex and more damaging. According to CISA, insider threats remain one of the most serious challenges to organizational security because they can erode trust and disrupt critical operations.
This new guidance is not just another checklist. It is a call to action. It urges organizations to treat insider threat management as a core capability that must be woven into the fabric of daily operations. It is aimed at critical infrastructure operators as well as state, local, tribal and territorial governments, but its lessons apply to any organization that handles sensitive data or relies on trusted personnel.
Why Insider Threats Are So Dangerous
Insider threats come in two major forms: malicious insiders and unintentional insiders. Malicious insiders may abuse their access for personal gain or retaliation. Unintentional insiders may simply make mistakes that open the door to external adversaries. CISA warns that both types can lead to data loss, reputational damage and harm to essential services.
This dual nature of insider threats is what makes them so difficult to manage. Technology alone cannot solve the problem. Organizations need people who understand human behavior, legal constraints, operational workflows and security controls. This is why CISA is pushing for multidisciplinary teams.
The Heart of the Guidance
CISA’s new infographic and guidance document outlines a structured approach for building and maintaining an insider threat management team. The framework is built around four stages: plan, organize, execute and maintain. This is often referred to as the POEM model. According to CISA, this model helps organizations define priorities, select appropriate team members and establish clear processes before incidents occur.
Let us break down each stage in a more conversational way.
Plan
Planning means understanding your organization’s risk tolerance and identifying what you need from an insider threat team. It involves defining roles, responsibilities and reporting structures. CISA emphasizes that insider threat programs should be tailored to the size and maturity of the organization. A small business will not need the same structure as a large federal agency, but both need a plan.
Organize
Organizing the team means selecting people from across the organization. CISA recommends including experts from security, legal, human resources, information technology and operational units. This diversity ensures that the team can see risk from multiple angles. It also helps build trust because employees know that decisions are not being made in a vacuum.
Execute
Execution is where the real work happens. CISA recommends implementing mandatory training, integrating processes across departments and establishing a central hub for gathering and analyzing information. This is where organizations begin to detect patterns, identify concerning behaviors and intervene before harm occurs. According to CISA, organizations with mature insider threat programs are more resilient to disruptions should they occur.
Maintain
Maintaining the program means continuously evaluating its effectiveness. Threats evolve. Organizations change. People come and go. CISA stresses the importance of confidentiality, legal compliance and coordination with external partners such as law enforcement. Maintenance ensures that the program stays relevant and effective.
The Human Element
One of the most important messages in the guidance is that people are the first and best line of defense. Technology can help detect anomalies, but only people can interpret context and understand intent. CISA encourages organizations to foster a culture of trust where employees feel empowered to report concerns without fear of retaliation. This cultural shift is essential for early detection and prevention.
CISA Executive Assistant Director Steve Casapulla emphasizes that leadership should draw expertise from across departments for a holistic defense while fostering a culture of trust where employees feel empowered to report concerns and stop threats before they escalate.
A Moment of Irony
It is worth noting that this guidance was released shortly after reports surfaced that CISA’s own acting director had uploaded sensitive contracting documents into a public version of ChatGPT. This incident triggered automated security warnings and raised questions about internal controls. While CISA stated that the use was authorized under a temporary exception, the timing underscores how insider risk can emerge even at the highest levels of an organization.
This does not diminish the value of the guidance. If anything, it reinforces its importance. Insider threats can come from anyone, including well-intentioned leaders who make mistakes.
Why This Guidance Matters
CISA’s new insider threat management guidance matters because it shifts the conversation from reactive security to proactive resilience. It encourages organizations to think holistically about risk and to build teams that can adapt to evolving threats. It also provides a clear roadmap that organizations of any size can follow.
The guidance is not just about preventing catastrophic breaches. It is about building trust, improving communication and strengthening organizational culture. When employees feel supported and informed, they are more likely to act responsibly and report concerns early.
Final Thoughts
Insider threats are not going away. In fact, they are becoming more complex as organizations adopt new technologies and remote work models. CISA’s guidance provides a practical and actionable framework for addressing these challenges. It encourages organizations to build multidisciplinary teams, foster trust and integrate insider threat management into everyday operations.
For leaders who want to strengthen their security posture, this guidance is a valuable resource. It is not a quick fix, but it is a strong foundation for long term resilience.
Sources
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/new-cisa-guidance-targets-insider (infosecurity-magazine.com in Bing)
https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/cisa_insider_threat_guidance (theregister.com in Bing)
https://www.cisa.gov/news-releases/insider-threat-management-team (cisa.gov in Bing)
https://potomacofficersclub.com/cisa-issues-new-guidance (potomacofficersclub.com in Bing)
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/new-cisa-guidance-targets-insider (infosecurity-magazine.com in Bing)
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