The Insider Threat: Why Employees Now Pose a Greater Risk Than External Hackers

For years, organizations have focused their security efforts outward—firewalls, antivirus, vulnerability scanners, and intrusion detection systems designed to keep the “bad guys” out. But in 2025, a new truth has emerged:

The most dangerous threat to an organization is often not outside its walls. It’s already inside.

Employees—whether intentionally malicious or simply careless—now represent the single greatest threat to digital and physical security. Insider incidents account for billions in losses every year, and the number continues to increase as workplaces grow more interconnected, data-rich, and technology-driven.

Today’s blog breaks down why insider threats are rising, the different types of insider risks, real-world examples, and how NordBridge can help organizations prevent and detect these internal vulnerabilities.

1. Why Insider Threats Are Increasing Across the United States

Insider threats are not new—but several modern factors have accelerated their frequency and impact.

A. The Explosion of Remote and Hybrid Work

More employees now work:

• On personal devices

• On home networks

• Without supervision

• Across unsecured Wi-Fi environments

This environment creates:

• Unmonitored data access

• Uncontrolled copying and downloading

• Weak credential hygiene

• Shadow IT systems

Employees can now cause damage from anywhere—intentionally or accidentally.

B. The Massive Growth of Cloud Tools and Data Accessibility

Cloud platforms such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS, and Slack make data accessible:

• From any location

• At any time

• On any device

This is good for productivity but dangerous for security.

A single employee can now access:

• Thousands of sensitive files

• Executive communications

• Financial information

• Customer databases

All with a few clicks.

C. Increased Employee Stress, Terminations, and Dissatisfaction

Organizations with:

• High turnover

• Poor management

• Financial pressure

• Job instability

• Toxic work culture

are more exposed to malicious insiders, including those who want revenge or financial gain.

Studies show that most malicious insider acts occur within 30 days of termination.

D. The Value of Data Has Never Been Higher

Employee access often includes:

• Customer information

• Intellectual property

• Trade secrets

• Proprietary algorithms

• Financial records

• Password vaults

This data can be:

• Sold

• Leaked

• Used as leverage

• Uploaded to personal drives

• Taken to competitors

Insider theft is often more profitable and less risky than external hacking.

2. The Three Major Types of Insider Threats

Understanding insider profiles helps organizations know what to watch for.

A. Malicious Insiders

Employees or contractors who intentionally cause harm.

Examples include:

• Deleting critical files

• Leaking confidential information

• Installing malware

• Selling data on the dark web

• Sabotaging systems during offboarding

• Stealing intellectual property before joining a competitor

• Misusing admin credentials

These insiders are the most destructive because they know:

• Your internal processes

• Your weaknesses

• Your tools and workflows

• Your blind spots

Malicious insiders exploit trust as their weapon.

B. Negligent Insiders

Employees who do not intend harm—but end up causing significant damage.

They make mistakes such as:

• Clicking phishing emails

• Storing passwords in unsecured files

• Using weak credentials

• Sharing confidential files by accident

• Mishandling sensitive data

• Failing to follow security protocols

• Falling for social engineering

Over 75% of insider incidents are caused by negligence—not malicious intent.

C. Compromised Insiders

Employees whose devices or accounts are taken over by hackers.

This includes:

• Malware infections

• Credential theft

• MFA fatigue attacks

• Phishing and spear-phishing

• Social engineering

• Session hijacking

Once compromised, employees become unintentional “agents of the attacker,” who now has legitimate access into the network.

3. High-Impact Insider Threat Examples

These real-world scenarios show how dangerous insider incidents can be:

• A disgruntled IT admin deletes cloud backups before resigning.

• An employee unknowingly uploads customer files to a personal Google Drive.

• A contractor shares internal documents with competitors.

• A compromised accountant approves fraudulent wire transfers.

• A careless staff member falls victim to a phishing attack.

• An employee screenshot-shares internal chats publicly.

• Internal passwords stored in plain text get leaked online.

The common thread: insiders bypass many traditional defenses.

4. Why Insider Threats Are More Dangerous Than Hackers

Insiders Already Have Access

Hackers must break in.
Employees start inside the walls.

Insiders Understand How to Avoid Detection

They know:

• What logs exist

• What IT monitors

• Where sensitive data lives

• Who approves what

Insiders Can Disable or Manipulate Controls

Especially privileged users (IT, finance, HR, supervisors).

Insiders Trigger the Most Expensive Data Breaches

Not because attacks are advanced, but because attackers exploit trust.

Insider incidents are harder to attribute and prosecute

Employees disappearing or being terminated often leave no trail.

5. Solutions for Protecting Organizations from Insider Threats

NordBridge takes a converged approach, combining cybersecurity, physical security, and behavioral analysis to create a complete insider threat management program.

Below are the essential components.

A. Zero Trust Architecture

Zero trust eliminates implicit trust by enforcing:

• Identity verification

• Continuous authentication

• Least privilege access

• Segmented permissions

Every access request is treated as hostile until verified.

B. Access Control and Privilege Management

This includes:

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• Privileged Access Workflows

• Admin segmentation

• Removing unnecessary privileges

• Automated offboarding

No employee should have access beyond what their job requires.

C. User Behavior Analytics (UBA)

AI-driven analytics detect abnormal actions such as:

• Unusual login times

• Sudden file transfers

• Accessing restricted areas

• Data exfiltration

• Mass document downloads

• Unusual Wi-Fi connections

UBA is one of the most powerful insider threat detection tools available.

D. Continuous Monitoring and Logging

This includes:

• Endpoint monitoring

• Network traffic analysis

• File activity logging

• Email scanning

• Shadow IT detection

The key is identifying deviations from normal behavior early.

E. Employee Security Awareness Training

Employees must be trained to:

• Identify phishing

• Recognize suspicious behavior

• Protect credentials

• Properly handle sensitive data

• Report incidents without fear

Human error is the biggest security risk—training reduces it.

F. Strong Offboarding Procedures

NordBridge recommends:

• Immediate access revocation

• Retrieval of company equipment

• Password resets

• Session termination

• Cloud access lockout

• Account auditing

Many breaches occur after employees leave.

G. Insider Threat Policies and Governance

Organizations should develop:

• Insider threat reporting procedures

• Acceptable use policies

• Data handling rules

• Disciplinary actions

• Privacy considerations

• Ethical monitoring guidelines

Security must align with legal and HR practices.

Closing Thoughts: The Insider Threat Era Has Arrived

The modern workplace is more connected, data-rich, and flexible than ever before. As a result, the traditional cybersecurity model—focused only on keeping attackers out—is no longer enough.

The greatest risk now comes from within:
Employees with access, knowledge, and authority.

Organizations that fail to address insider threats are exposed to:

• Data breaches

• Financial losses

• Reputation damage

• Regulatory penalties

• Operational disruption

NordBridge Security Advisors specializes in helping organizations build full-spectrum insider threat programs that align cyber, physical, and human security.

Because in today’s environment, protecting your organization means protecting it from both the outside and the inside.

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About the Author

Tyrone Collins is a security strategist with over 27 years of experience. He is the founder of NordBridge Security Advisors, a converged security consultancy focused on the U.S. and Brazil. On this site, he shares personal insights on security, strategy, and his journey in Brazil.