Let’s Talk About the Threat You Don’t Expect
When most people think about cyber attacks, they picture hackers in hoodies, phishing scams, or malware sneaking in through dodgy downloads. But here’s the twist: the biggest danger might not come from the outside at all. It could be sitting in your office right now, holding a visitor badge or temporary login.
What Are Insider Threats?
Insider threats in cyber security happen when someone with legitimate access misuses it—intentionally or by accident. That might be a contractor, a cleaner, a visitor with Wi-Fi access, or even an employee on their last day who still has system permissions. Because they already have a foot in the door, detection is harder and damage is quicker.
Why They’re So Dangerous
- Trusted access – Security systems often assume insiders are safe.
- Harder to spot – Malicious actions can blend in with normal activity.
- Temporary users – Contractors and temps may not get the same training as full staff.
- Accidents happen – A well-meaning visitor could still click a phishing link on your guest Wi-Fi.
Real Example
In 2023, a large financial services firm suffered a breach when a contractor copied sensitive files onto a personal drive. No malware. No phishing. Just someone inside the network taking advantage of temporary access. Incidents like this show that firewalls and antivirus alone can’t protect you from human loopholes.
How to Defend Against Insider Threats
- Limit access by role – Give people only the permissions they need, nothing extra.
- Revoke access quickly – Disable accounts as soon as contracts or shifts end.
- Use monitoring tools – Spot unusual behaviour like large file downloads.
- Educate everyone – Even short-term staff should know about phishing and data handling basics. See our post on Why Training Beats Tech.
- Secure guest networks – Keep visitor Wi-Fi isolated from your main systems.
Key Takeaway
Insider threats in cyber security remind us that trust alone isn’t a defence. Every login, badge, and guest pass is a potential risk. Managing those risks doesn’t mean distrusting your team—it means protecting them, your clients, and your business.
Final Word
Think of it this way: you wouldn’t leave your office keys with someone you barely know. Why treat digital access any differently? Contractors, visitors, and temps need boundaries. And you need visibility.
At The Cyber Workshop, we show you how to put the right locks on your digital doors without slowing business down.
👋 Till next time, keep an eye not just on who’s trying to get in, but also on who’s already inside.
