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September marks National Insider Threat Awareness Month (NITAM) — a timely reminder that not all cyber risks come from external hackers. In fact, some of the most damaging incidents originate inside organizations, where trusted users already have access to sensitive systems and data. Whether it’s a careless employee, a disgruntled contractor, or a compromised account, insider threats are among the hardest to detect and the most costly to resolve.

According to Ponemon Institute research, insider incidents continue to rise, with the average cost of an insider breach exceeding $15 million per year for organizations worldwide. In highly regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, and government contracting, insider threats pose a direct risk not only to data security but also to compliance, reputation, and business continuity.

Understanding Insider Threats

Insider threats fall into three primary categories:

• Malicious Insiders – Individuals who intentionally exploit access for personal or financial gain.
• Negligent Insiders – Employees who inadvertently expose data through mistakes such as falling for phishing scams or mishandling sensitive information.
• Compromised Insiders – Users whose accounts have been taken over by external actors, often without their knowledge.

What makes insider threats so challenging is that traditional perimeter defenses cannot stop them. When the risk comes from someone already inside your network, detection and prevention require a deeper, layered approach.

Building a Proactive Insider Threat Program

Organizations can protect themselves by embedding insider threat awareness into their cybersecurity strategy:

1. Employee Awareness & Training – Regular education on cybersecurity best practices and threat recognition.
2. Zero Trust & Access Control – Limit access to only what each role requires, following the principle of least privilege.
3. User Activity Monitoring – Deploy tools to detect unusual behavior in real time.
4. Incident Response Planning – Establish clear protocols to quickly respond to and contain insider incidents.
5. Culture of Security – Foster an environment where employees feel empowered to report suspicious activity.

A Leader’s Perspective

Regine Bonneau, CEO & founder of RB Advisory, LLC and widely recognized as the Cyber Queen™, emphasizes the importance of reframing how organizations view risk:

“Cybersecurity isn’t only about building walls to keep attackers out. It’s also about shining a light within our own organizations. Insider threats are often invisible until it’s too late — but with the right strategy, leadership, and culture, companies can transform their people from the weakest link into the strongest line of defense.” – Regine Bonneau, Cyber Queen and CEO & founder of RB Advisory, LLC

RB Advisory’s Role

At RB Advisory, we partner with clients across finance, healthcare, and government to design insider threat programs that integrate compliance, advanced monitoring, and employee training. Our expertise ensures that organizations not only meet regulatory obligations but also build resilience against the hidden risks that can undermine mission success.

Final Thoughts

As Insider Threat Awareness Month reminds us, the call is coming from inside the house. Organizations that proactively address insider risks, through strategy, technology, and leadership, will be best positioned to protect data, customers, and their long-term reputation.