Insider Threats & Strawberry Brandy Single Malt: Sweet But Dangerous
Not all cyberthreats come from hackers working in the shadows of the dark web. The most damaging breaches come from the people you work with every day. Trusted employees, contractors, or partners who unintentionally or deliberately put you at risk. Insider threats come from people you trust, making them one of the most underestimated risks in cybersecurity today.
To match the unexpected shock of insider threats, we’ve paired this risk with 10th Street Distillery’s Strawberry Brandy Cask-Finished Single Malt. This whiskey is soft, fruity, and inviting at first sip, but has a rich, unexpected depth that mirrors the complexity and consequences of letting your guard down inside your own business.
Insider Threats: The Risk Within
Insider threats are security risks that originate from individuals with legitimate access to your company’s data, systems, or networks. These can include:
- Employees who unintentionally fall for phishing scams
- Contractors who misuse access or ignore security protocols
- Disgruntled staff deliberately exfiltrating data or sabotaging systems
Because they already have credentials, insider threats often bypass your perimeter defenses, making them harder to detect and even harder to stop.
According to the 2023 Ponemon Institute report, insider threats rose by 44% over the past two years, with the average cost of an insider incident reaching $15.38 million. While you might not have lost that big, the damage to client trust, operations, and finances can still be devastating.
Spot and Stop Insider Threats
While the threat is subtle, the defense must be intentional and ongoing. Here’s what you can do to stop insider threats:
1. Implement Access Controls
Use the principle of least privilege—employees should only have access to what they need. And don’t forget to immediately revoke access when someone leaves or changes roles.
2. Monitor User Behavior
With User Behavior Analytics (UBA) and endpoint monitoring, you can detect unusual access patterns, file downloads, or unauthorized changes before they escalate.
3. Train and Educate Regularly
Not all insider threats are malicious. Ongoing cybersecurity training helps staff recognize phishing attempts, password best practices, and the importance of following policies.
4. Create a Culture of Accountability
Ensure your employees know security is everyone’s job. Encourage them to report suspicious behavior without fear of retaliation.
5. Partner With a Proactive MSP
At Nevtec, our managed security services help you identify and prevent internal threats through monitoring, access management, and tailored security awareness training. Explore our Security Services →
Strawberry Brandy Cask Single Malt
Like insider threats, this whiskey is sweet on the surface, but surprisingly potent beneath. The brandy cask finish introduces a smooth, fruit-forward character that feels comforting and familiar, but don’t be fooled. Just like a trusted employee with too much access, this whiskey can sneak up on you with strength and depth you weren’t expecting.
It’s a reminder that not all threats come from unknown actors. Sometimes, the risk is sweet, smooth, and sitting just a few desks away.
Final Sip
Insider threats are quiet, overlooked, and devastating. Whether intentional or accidental, they require active defense, including access controls, behavioral monitoring, and a trusted security partner who’s watching your blind spots.
At Nevtec, we help small and midsize businesses build resilience against all forms of risk, including the ones already inside.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog:
“Zero-Day Exploits & Distiller’s Cut: The Unseen Risk”
We’ll explore unpredictable threats that strike without warning—and how to prepare when no patch exists.
Book Your Insider Threat Assessment
Are the ones you trust your biggest risk? Find out for free!
Schedule a free cybersecurity consultation with Nevtec, and we’ll evaluate your access controls, monitoring, and insider threat readiness.
Cheers,
The Nevtec Team
