Hi, I’m Ron Kulik, owner of safemode IT, and I’ve seen how even the smallest cybersecurity oversight can cause big problems for businesses. Insider threats—risks coming from employees, contractors, or even careless mistakes—are often overlooked. Let’s talk about eight insider cybersecurity threats you might not realize are happening in your business and what you can do to stop them.
1. Unauthorized Access to Important Computers
When employees gain access to sensitive data they shouldn’t, it can lead to serious problems like stolen information or even revenge hacking. A big reason for this is poor password habits. Did you know 20% of employees download critical business data to their personal devices? That’s a huge risk.
How to Fix It: Use strong password policies and limit who can access your sensitive systems.
2. Unauthorized Logins to Your Systems
Hackers or former employees can cause major damage if they access your servers or cloud accounts. In one case, an ex-employee at Cisco deleted important data and caused $1.4 million in damage!
How to Fix It: Keep a close eye on who is logging in and make sure only approved users have access.
3. Surprise New Users on Your Network
Sometimes, new user accounts pop up without anyone noticing. Even if it’s not malicious, it can still weaken your network’s security.
How to Fix It: Set up alerts to notify you when a new user is created, so nothing slips through the cracks.
4. Logins from Suspicious Locations
If an employee is logging in from two places at the same time, like Texas and South Africa, it’s a red flag. This could mean their account has been hacked.
How to Fix It: Use tools that monitor login activity and flag anything unusual.
5. Logins at Odd Hours
While remote work has made flexible hours more common, most businesses don’t expect employees to log in at 2 a.m. If this happens, it could mean trouble.
How to Fix It: Get alerts for login attempts during odd hours to catch anything suspicious early.
6. Changes to Your Network
If someone weakens your network security—like removing password protections or letting guests onto your internal Wi-Fi—it can leave your business vulnerable to attacks.
How to Fix It: Regularly check your network setup to make sure it’s secure.
7. Connecting to Unsafe Wi-Fi Networks
When employees use public or unapproved Wi-Fi, it can expose your business to malware or other attacks.
How to Fix It: Require employees to use secure, company-approved networks.
8. Poor Storage of Sensitive Information
If sensitive information like credit card details or customer data is stored improperly, it’s at risk of being stolen. Worse, your business could face heavy fines or damage to its reputation.
How to Fix It: Use secure storage systems and regularly audit where sensitive data is kept.
5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Business
- Secure Remote Access: Make sure only approved users can access your systems.
- Offboarding Done Right: Remove access for former employees immediately.
- Monitor Vendors and Contractors: Keep track of what they can access.
- Least Privilege Rule: Give employees only the access they need to do their job.
- Use Password Vaults: Securely store and manage all your credentials.
How safemode IT Can Help
At safemode IT, we specialize in detecting these insider threats before they cause damage. Our advanced systems flag unusual activity, catch misconfigurations, and help you lock down your business. We use smart tools like machine learning to keep your data safe and give you peace of mind.
Don’t let insider threats ruin your business. Let’s work together to build a secure IT environment. Contact me today to learn more!
