Which best describes an insider threat? Someone who uses access to harm national security through unauthorized disclosure, data modification, espionage, terrorism, or kinetic actions.
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unauthorized; detected or undetected
unauthorized; undetected
authorized; willingly or unwittingly
authorized with good intentions
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
authorized; willingly or unwittingly
Explanation (300 words):
An insider threat refers to individuals who have authorized access within an organization, yet pose a security risk because they either intentionally (willingly) or unintentionally (unwittingly) misuse or compromise their privileges. Unlike external threats, insiders already have legitimate entry to sensitive systems, data, or infrastructure, making their activities particularly dangerous and challenging to detect.
An insider threat can manifest in various forms, including unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, data modification, espionage, terrorism, sabotage, or kinetic actions causing physical harm or disruption. These threats might stem from an employee, contractor, business associate, or anyone else trusted with internal access. Insiders can exploit their positions for personal gain, revenge, or ideological motives, intentionally harming national security or organizational interests. Examples of intentional insider threats include espionage—where an insider deliberately shares confidential information with foreign adversaries—or deliberate sabotage, which could involve damaging critical infrastructure.
Conversely, insider threats also encompass unintentional harm caused by carelessness or ignorance. For instance, employees might accidentally leak classified documents through improper handling, falling victim to phishing attacks, or unknowingly introducing malware to a system. These unintentional actions, while not malicious, can be just as devastating as deliberate ones because they are difficult to predict and control.
Organizations and governments must therefore manage insider threats proactively through a combination of training, strict access controls, continuous monitoring, and a robust culture of security awareness. Addressing insider threats involves both technical and human-factor solutions, acknowledging that trust and vigilance must coexist. Ultimately, recognizing that insider threats come from individuals with authorized access—whether willingly or unwittingly—is essential to effectively safeguard sensitive assets and ensure national security.