Reduce insider risk with a positive work culture
Technology advances have provided benefits for our overall lifestyle. The digital revolution has changed the way we communicate, collaborate, learn, and work. However, as our digital environments get more sophisticated, and with the latest adoption of a hybrid work style, so does the threat landscape.
Security is now more challenging than ever. As we’ve heard and read before, security is more a process than a product. Protecting our company from external threats is not the only challenge to face when we talk about security, we also must protect ourselves from the inside out.
Insider risks target and impact an organization’s most important asset: Our data
Jeff Teper, Corporate Vice President – Microsoft 365, stated in April 2021, that Microsoft Teams now has 145 million active users per day.
#MicrosoftTeams now 145 million daily active users ?? – thank you to customers, partners, and team
— Jeff Teper (@jeffteper) April 27, 2021
The 2021 Microsoft’s Work Trend Index showed that people are communicating, chatting, sharing and emailing in a way greater volume than before.
2021 Work Trend Index statistics
Even though these numbers may seem impressive in terms of efficiency, there’s a less exciting outcome. The same Work Trend Index report showed that the overall workforce feels burned out. The 2021 State of Remote Work showed that loneliness and difficulties with collaboration and communication are the biggest challenges for the remote workforce.
2021 Work Trend Index statistics
Employees’ exhaustion increases insider risks
Still, productivity and engagement are not the only aspects that have been affected by this. With employees being burned out, exhausted and unmotivated, organizations’ security is also at risk.
According to a recent study of CyLab and Microsoft, 69% of the organizations that were part of this study had more than 5 high-concern incidents in 2020. Also, 44% had more than 10 incidents, and 11% had more than 100 that same year.
Financial fraud, sabotage, data theft, and workplace violence are some of the incidents reported by these organizations. CyLab also stated that there’s a correlation between the levels of stress and exhaustion, and the number of insider risk incidents.
Engaging with our employees, rewarding, and supporting them, will promote a positive corporate culture. Taking care of the employees’ tranquility and wellbeing can directly help reduce said risks.
“A well-balanced insider risk program can become known as an advocate for employee wellbeing and a means for a more productive, engaged, connected, and committed workforce.” —Carnegie Mellon University
Support the wellbeing of your people
As we mentioned before, higher levels of stress for employees means a higher risk for the organization. Taking care of their wellbeing will directly help reduce risks for the organization. Creating channels and procedures to make them feel heard, and for you to get feedback, ensuring they feel valued by the organization, and understanding the critical role they play in keeping data secure.
Embrace collaboration
Knowing that security is a process, not a product, we understand that an effective insider risk management program should not only focus on implementing tools and technology, although it does play an important role in it.
This program should embrace collaboration across departments, such as HR, leaders, legal and security, as well as educating and engaging with the whole organization.
Take a holistic approach
Understanding the technical and human parts of this issue will help you effectively take care of it. User activity report and activity explorer will give you the broadest view of insider risks in your organization.
Viewing our company will allow us to understand the root of certain issues. We hope this article helps you take care of both your company’s security and your workforces wellbeing.
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