Insider Attacks To Rise, Microsoft Warns

Microsoft warns of an increase in insider attacks as more employees are laid off by companies during the recession.

One of the biggest threats facing companies, especially in this economy where so many are being laid off, is the “insider attack,” and it’s going to rise in the future, according to Microsoft.

Doug Leland, head of the new Identity and Security unit at the company, told the BBC:

"The malicious insider is classed as the greatest security concern because they have access, and relatively easy access, to corporate assets."

How bad is it now? Last year a study by Verizon showed that insider breaches were behind 18% of all attacks – a staggering figure. And just last week, another study, this one by the Ponemon Institute, discovered that 88% of data breaches arose from staff negligence.

That means companies face security problems. Leland notes:

"On the one hand it’s all about keeping the bad guys out, the malware, the viruses out of our systems. And on the other you want to let the good guys in – the people who need to have access to your system and information so that they can be productive. Getting the balance right is key."

Among the solutions Microsoft suggests is data encryption, and quickly ending an employee’s access to data once moved to another department or laid off.