Insights / Insider Threat

5 Warning Signs of an Insider Threat Every Employer Should Know

By Warren Pulley

Insider threats come from people who already have access: employees, contractors, and partners. Some are malicious, many are careless, and the warning signs often appear well before the damage.

1. Unusual access behavior: logging in at odd hours, accessing systems or areas unrelated to the job, or copying large amounts of data.
2. Expressed grievances: persistent anger at the organization, a manager, or coworkers, especially after a disciplinary action or a passed-over promotion.
3. Policy pushback: repeated attempts to bypass security controls, share credentials, or avoid monitoring.
4. Sudden changes: financial stress, unexplained wealth, withdrawal, or dramatic changes in behavior.
5. Concerning statements: comments about harming the organization, taking information, or “getting even.”

What to do

One sign alone rarely means much. Patterns do. Give managers a clear way to report concerns, route them to a team that can look at the whole picture, and respond with a proportionate plan. Strong access controls, least-privilege permissions, and clean offboarding prevent many incidents outright.

Balance matters

An insider threat program should protect the organization without treating every employee as a suspect. Clear policies, fair processes, and documentation keep it effective and lawful.

This general information is not legal advice.