How to Create an Insider Risk Management Policy

When it comes to protecting your company’s most valuable assets and sensitive data protection, knowing how to create an insider risk management policy acts like a shield, guarding against risks that come not from strangers, but from within your own organization.

Not knowing how to create an insider risk management policy can lead to serious problems, like data leaks or financial losses, which can shake up your business and its reputation.

What Are Insider Risks?

Insider risks involve potential threats to a company’s information or systems that come from people within the organization.

These can include employees, former employees, contractors, or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organization’s security practices, know your data, and computer systems.

These risks can be unintentional—like an employee accidentally sending sensitive data to the wrong person—or malicious, where someone intentionally steals or damages information.

The impact of insider risks can be devastating, affecting everything from day-to-day operations to a company’s bottom line. These risks can differ greatly depending on the industry and size of the company, making it crucial for every business to recognize and prepare for them as part of a comprehensive security strategy.

Common Examples of Insider Threats

Insider threats can happen when people within a company misuse their access to information. 

For example, someone might take client data to use for themselves, or they could mess with company systems for personal gain. Sometimes, a worker might even try to damage the company on purpose, like what happened with the Ashley Madison data breach. 

These threats can come from anyone in the company, not just higher-ups. Signs to watch for include strange behavior, like accessing systems at weird times. By understanding these threats, companies can properly create an insider risk management policy to mitigate these risks.

Elements of an Insider Risk Management Policy

A well-crafted insider risk management policy is made up of several key components that work together to protect your organization from potential internal threats

Scope and Purpose

The scope of an insider risk management policy outlines what the policy covers and its boundaries. It details which parts of the organization are affected, what types of actions are considered risks, and the resources that are protected, such as digital assets, physical assets, and intellectual property.

The purpose of the policy goes beyond mere protection; it serves as a foundational aspect of your organization’s broader security strategy. It aims to prevent, detect, and respond to insider threats that could potentially harm the organization.

Clear and understandable language is essential to ensure that all employees, regardless of their role, fully understand what the policy entails and how it applies to them. Including real-world scenarios or examples can help illustrate these points, making the policy more relatable and easier to grasp.

Roles and Responsibilities

Defining roles and responsibilities is crucial in the management of insider risks. Specific roles, such as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Human Resources personnel, and department heads, have distinct responsibilities in enforcing the policy. The CISO might focus on the technical aspects of security, while HR could handle aspects related to employee behavior and compliance.

Clearly delegating these duties is important for the effective prevention and detection of insider threats. It makes sure there’s no confusion about who is responsible for what, which is critical in a situation where quick action might be needed. Additionally, forming a cross-departmental team can enhance the oversight and implementation of the policy, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise are involved in decision-making processes.

Regular updates and ongoing training are also necessary to keep everyone up-to-date on their roles and responsibilities under the policy. This continuous education helps in recognizing and responding to insider threats promptly and effectively, maintaining the security integrity of the organization.

Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Your Insider Risk Management Policy

Creating an insider risk management policy requires a systematic approach that not only addresses immediate concerns but also adapts over time to meet new challenges. This process is iterative, meaning it continually evolves based on feedback and monitoring, ensuring the policy remains effective against emerging threats.

*Before anything, remember that it’s important for this policy to align with international standards and legal requirements to maintain compliance and enhance its effectiveness.

Utilizing tools and resources specifically designed for policy development can provide invaluable support during this process.

Risk Assessment

The first step in developing your policy is conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify potential insider threats. This assessment should evaluate the severity and likelihood of various insider risks, considering factors like access privileges, employee roles, and previous security incidents

The findings from the risk assessment will help prioritize efforts in policy development, focusing on the most significant risks first.

Establishing Controls and Procedures

Once risks are identified, the next step is to establish appropriate controls and procedures to mitigate these risks. Controls can be administrative (policies and procedures), technical (software and hardware solutions), or physical (secured access to buildings and rooms).

You’ll also want to develop response plans to address any violations of the policy in order to provide a clear roadmap for dealing with incidents as they arise.

Integration with Existing Security Policies

Integrating your insider risk management policies with other security and operational policies is vital to creating a cohesive defense strategy. This integration ensures consistency across all policies and helps avoid conflicts that could undermine your security efforts.

Training, Awareness & Educating Your Team

Educating your employees about insider risks and the specific policies your company has implemented helps them understand their role in maintaining security.

We get it — security might not always be the most exciting topic to discuss with your team, which is why it’s important to find engaging and memorable ways to implement training programs.

Some key topics you’ll want to make sure this covers:

• Recognizing suspicious behavior
• Protocols on how to report suspicious behavior
• The consequences of non-compliance

*It’s important to include all employees in these training sessions, not just those in sensitive or high-risk positions. Everyone can be a potential vector for security threats, intentionally or unintentionally!

How to Balance Employee Privacy and Security

Balancing employee privacy with the need for security is a delicate task.

You must monitor your data and employee activity to prevent insider threats, but it must be done within the framework of ethical considerations and legal constraints.

To approach this, be fully transparent about what monitoring entails and the reasons behind it. This helps in gaining employee trust and cooperation.

The policy should clearly outline what monitoring occurs, how data is handled, and the measures in place to protect employees’ privacy. Ensuring that these measures comply with legal standards, such as GDPR in the EU, is essential to avoid legal repercussions and maintain the integrity of your privacy policies.

Explore Qohash’s Qostodian for Automated Insider Risk Detection

Qostodian offers automated insider risk detection, leveraging advanced technology to enhance your data security posture management. With features like real-time monitoring and analysis, Qostodian reduces reliance on manual processes, increasing the speed and efficiency of threat detection. 

Don’t wait to bolster your defenses—book a demo today to see how Qostodian can safeguard your organization’s sensitive information!