January 2015: Malicious Insiders are Big Threats

Companies spend billions every year to prevent hackers, but sometimes threats that can come from inside the organization are just as serious and need just as much attention.

Last week Morgan Stanley, a multinational financial services corporation, stated that an employee stole information from over 350,000 accounts. According to experts at SpectorSoft, insider attacks cost US companies $40 billion during 2013.

Malicious insiders are often harder to detect than outside hackers, but there are a few ways that companies can help protect themselves. This includes disabling USB ports on work machines, keeping tight restrictions on access to sensitive information, and monitoring those who do have access. Other steps companies can take involves training employees to safeguard passwords, prevent data leaks, and keeping a clean desk policy. All employees have a part to play in guarding against malicious outsiders.

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