In today's fast-paced digital environment, organizations face a growing need to address threats that originate not only from external actors but also from within the organization itself. Insider threats have emerged as one of the most dangerous and challenging risks to manage, whether they are caused by negligence, disgruntled employees, contractors, or business partners. While many organizations focus on defending against external attacks, insider threats are often more difficult to detect and manage since the perpetrators are already familiar with internal systems and policies.

The "Identifying and Managing Insider Threats - British Standards" course offered by the British Academy for Training and Development is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of how to identify and effectively manage insider threats. The course will focus on recognizing risks from internal actors, implementing prevention strategies, detecting threats early, and managing these risks in alignment with British cybersecurity standards.

Who Should Attend?

• Cybersecurity Managers looking to enhance their knowledge in protecting organizations from insider threats.
• Information Security Professionals responsible for securing systems and applications within the organization.
• Human Resources Managers seeking to understand how to mitigate risks posed by internal threats related to employees or contractors.
• IT Managers overseeing the development and implementation of internal security policies and systems to protect sensitive data.
• Compliance and Audit Teams interested in ensuring compliance with British cybersecurity standards and best practices regarding insider threats.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand the nature and impact of insider threats on organizations.
• Apply effective strategies and tools for early detection of insider threats.
• Develop policies and procedures to address insider threats and mitigate potential risks.
• Foster a culture of security awareness within the organization to reduce insider risks.
• Comply with British cybersecurity standards and regulatory frameworks related to insider threat management.

• Defining Insider Threats and Their Types
  • What constitutes an insider threat? Risks originating from within the organization.
  • Different types of insider threats: negligent (unintentional) and malicious (intentional) threats.
  • How insider threats differ from external threats and their impact on an organization.
• Root Causes of Insider Threats
  • Human factors: frustration, job dissatisfaction, or negligence.
  • Technological factors: weak internal security policies or systems.
  • Organizational factors: lack of training, inadequate monitoring, or poor management.
• Impact of Insider Threats on Organizations
  • Security impacts: data breaches, system manipulation, and operational disruption.
  • Financial impacts: investigation costs, regulatory fines, and reputational damage.
  • Organizational impacts: loss of client trust, legal liabilities, and internal disruptions.

• Tools and Techniques for Detecting Insider Threats
  • System monitoring and anomaly detection for unusual activity.
  • Forensic analysis tools to identify suspicious behavior.
  • Using AI and machine learning for pattern recognition in detecting insider threats.
• Early Warning Signs of Insider Threats
  • Behavioral analysis: identifying unusual access patterns or data usage.
  • Monitoring emails and communications for signs of malicious intent.
  • Changes in job performance: sudden decline in productivity or increased absenteeism.
• Importance of Data Collection and Analysis
  • The role of logging and tracking activities: capturing all system and data interactions.
  • Monitoring access to sensitive information and identifying risky behaviors.
  • Analyzing data to uncover unauthorized activities and potential threats.

• Internal Security Policies
  • Implementing policies to restrict access to sensitive data based on roles.
  • Access control policies: assigning permissions according to job responsibilities.
  • Using the principle of least privilege to limit exposure to sensitive systems.
• Employee Training and Awareness
  • The importance of continuous cybersecurity training for employees.
  • Awareness campaigns to help staff recognize and report insider threats.
  • Providing employees with the knowledge of how to deal with suspicious incidents.
• Technological Safeguards
  • Encryption techniques to protect sensitive data.
  • Using network and application monitoring tools to detect and prevent insider threats.
  • Managing access rights and implementing data loss prevention (DLP) systems.

• Effective Incident Response Procedures
  • How to respond quickly and efficiently when an insider threat is detected.
  • Differentiating between major and minor security incidents and how to handle each.
  • The importance of having a well-defined emergency response plan.
• Conducting Internal Investigations
  • Steps for conducting a thorough investigation into suspected insider threats.
  • Reviewing system logs, communications, and behavior to gather evidence.
  • Collaborating with legal teams to ensure proper handling of evidence.
• Internal Communication During an Incident
  • How to coordinate with internal teams during an insider threat event.
  • Communicating with senior management and employees about the incident.
  • Ensuring transparency and providing timely updates to both staff and clients.

• Building a Strong Security Culture
  • Encouraging employees to adopt security best practices in their daily activities.
  • Involving employees in developing and reviewing security policies.
  • Promoting security awareness at all levels of the organization to reduce insider risk.
• Managing Security Changes Within the Organization
  • Handling employee transitions: onboarding, role changes, or departures.
  • Managing technology and infrastructure changes to ensure continued security.
  • Ensuring that changes do not compromise internal security policies.
• Regular Review and Updates of Security Policies
  • Updating security policies and procedures to address emerging threats.
  • Reviewing and enhancing tools used to monitor and manage insider threats.
  • The role of the security team in evaluating the effectiveness of current measures.

• British Cybersecurity Standards for Insider Threats
  • Overview of British standards such as Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 and their role in managing insider threats.
  • How these standards help enhance internal security and minimize insider threats.
  • The importance of complying with regulatory frameworks in the UK regarding insider threat management.
• Security Reporting Procedures
  • Best practices for reporting insider threats and the actions taken.
  • How to compile detailed reports on insider threat incidents.
  • The role of reporting in improving future security measures.
• Auditing and Compliance
  • The importance of internal audits to ensure the security policies are being properly followed.
  • Ensuring compliance with relevant legal and regulatory standards.
  • The role of third-party audits in strengthening internal security practices.