Blog
March 25, 2025

The Role of Employee Behaviour in Preventing Insider Threats

Insider threats are a growing concern for businesses. This article explores how HR, security teams, and employees can work together to prevent them.

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Key points 

  • Insider threats pose a significant risk to businesses, both intentional and unintentional.
  • Employee behaviour, especially when monitored and understood, is crucial in preventing these threats.
  • HR and security teams must collaborate to identify red flags and implement preventative measures.
  • Metomic offers insider detection tools to help businesses identify and mitigate insider threats through comprehensive data security solutions.

Insider threats are becoming a bigger problem for businesses, and they’re often harder to spot than external attacks. 

In fact, 53% of cybersecurity professionals believe that it’s as difficult to detect insider attacks as those from outside the organisation. 

Whether it’s intentional actions or simple mistakes, insider threats and risks can come from employees, contractors, or even partners. The way people behave at work plays a huge part in managing these risks. 

Recognising warning signs, creating a positive workplace culture, and being proactive can all make a real difference. In this article, we’ll explore how HR, security teams, and employees themselves can help prevent insider threats. 

After all, when it comes to insider threats, it’s not just a problem for the security team. It’s all hands on deck.

The growing risk of insider threats 

Insider threats have become such a problem that it might actually be easier to find companies that haven’t been impacted by them than those that have.

In fact, only 17% of businesses reported no insider attacks in 2024. That leaves a huge majority of organisations dealing with the fallout.

And the costs are steep. For incidents that drag on for more than 90 days, businesses face an average cost of $18.33 million (or around £15 million) in dealing with them. Whether intentional or accidental, insider threats can result in stolen data, reputational damage, and serious financial losses.

As organisations continue to digitalise and more people work remotely, the risks are growing. But the good news is, you can minimise the impact—and it all starts with understanding how HR, security teams, and employees can work together to prevent them.

The role of HR in identifying insider threats 

HR plays a crucial role in spotting and preventing insider threats, often by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Unusual signs—like dissatisfaction or erratic actions—can be early indicators of potential issues. While not always a cause for concern, these signals can suggest there’s something deeper going on.

HR should conduct thorough background checks, not just at hiring, but during transitions within the company (e.g. for promotions). Proactive monitoring can help identify potential risks before they escalate.

The HR team also acts as a bridge between employees and management. By maintaining open communication, they can address problems early, stopping them from becoming bigger threats. When employees feel supported, the chances of negative behaviour drop.

Tellingly, 75% of insider cyber attacks come from unhappy ex-employees. This makes it clear that managing employee satisfaction, both during employment and as they leave, is key to reducing insider threats.

How security teams can leverage employee behaviour 

Security teams can pick up on insider threats by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Setting a baseline for what’s normal can help them can easily spot anything out of the ordinary that might raise a red flag.

It’s not just about monitoring, though. HR and IT need to work together closely. When these teams collaborate, they can spot suspicious activity in real-time and take action before it becomes a bigger issue.

But of course, monitoring and collaboration alone won’t solve everything. Employee training is crucial. 

When staff understand the security risks and know what’s expected of them, they’re much less likely to make costly mistakes. For example, some studies show that the risk level of employees falling for phishing attempts can drop by nearly 50% after 90 days of focused training.

Considering insider threats are behind around 60% of data breaches, it’s clear that security teams need to stay on top of things and team up with HR to create a secure environment.

How employees contribute to prevention 

Employees are your first line of defence when it comes to preventing insider threats. By following security protocols and reporting any suspicious activities, they can help stop threats before they escalate.

Training plays a big part here. When employees understand security risks and know what to look out for, they’re more likely to spot potential threats. In fact, cybersecurity awareness training can reduce security-related risks by as much as 70%, according to some studies.

But it’s not just about training. Employees also need a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing concerns without worrying about retaliation. 

If they see any red flags in their colleagues' behaviour, they should feel empowered to act. When everyone works together, it’s much easier to spot and prevent insider threats before they do any damage.

Best practices for preventing insider threats 

There are a few best practices that can help reduce the risk of insider threats:

  • Clear security protocols: Make sure security protocols are crystal clear and that everyone is trained on them. The clearer the expectations, the less room there is for mistakes or confusion.
  • Regular background checks: Background checks should be part of the process, especially when hiring or during transitions within the company. It’s a simple step that can help spot red flags early.
  • Create a culture of openness: Build an environment where employees feel supported and safe. When people feel heard and valued, they’re less likely to harbour frustrations that could lead to problems.
  • Keep an eye on employee behaviour: Monitoring employee behaviour for signs of unusual activity can help spot potential risks before they become serious threats.

It’s worrying that while 66% of organisations feel vulnerable to insider attacks only 41% of organisations have only partially implemented insider threat programs. 

There’s clearly still work to be done to fully protect against these risks, but by sticking to these best practices, you can make a big difference.

🔒Metomic in Action: Clean Up and Secure Your Google Drive in 15 Minutes

You already have sensitive data in Google Drive, but do you know who has access to it? Security tools often focus on preventing future risks, but what about the data that is already exposed?

In our webinar, we will walk through how you can:

  • Identify and classify sensitive data across your entire Google Drive
  • Fix access risks and remove unnecessary exposure in a few clicks
  • Apply retention policies to keep data under control without disrupting workflows

Instead of hoping for the best, take practical steps to reduce the risk of data breaches and keep your SaaS environment secure from day one.

Table of content
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents

Ben van Enckevort

CTO and Co-Founder

Ben van Enckevort is the co-founder and CTO of Metomic

Key points 

  • Insider threats pose a significant risk to businesses, both intentional and unintentional.
  • Employee behaviour, especially when monitored and understood, is crucial in preventing these threats.
  • HR and security teams must collaborate to identify red flags and implement preventative measures.
  • Metomic offers insider detection tools to help businesses identify and mitigate insider threats through comprehensive data security solutions.

Insider threats are becoming a bigger problem for businesses, and they’re often harder to spot than external attacks. 

In fact, 53% of cybersecurity professionals believe that it’s as difficult to detect insider attacks as those from outside the organisation. 

Whether it’s intentional actions or simple mistakes, insider threats and risks can come from employees, contractors, or even partners. The way people behave at work plays a huge part in managing these risks. 

Recognising warning signs, creating a positive workplace culture, and being proactive can all make a real difference. In this article, we’ll explore how HR, security teams, and employees themselves can help prevent insider threats. 

After all, when it comes to insider threats, it’s not just a problem for the security team. It’s all hands on deck.

The growing risk of insider threats 

Insider threats have become such a problem that it might actually be easier to find companies that haven’t been impacted by them than those that have.

In fact, only 17% of businesses reported no insider attacks in 2024. That leaves a huge majority of organisations dealing with the fallout.

And the costs are steep. For incidents that drag on for more than 90 days, businesses face an average cost of $18.33 million (or around £15 million) in dealing with them. Whether intentional or accidental, insider threats can result in stolen data, reputational damage, and serious financial losses.

As organisations continue to digitalise and more people work remotely, the risks are growing. But the good news is, you can minimise the impact—and it all starts with understanding how HR, security teams, and employees can work together to prevent them.

The role of HR in identifying insider threats 

HR plays a crucial role in spotting and preventing insider threats, often by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Unusual signs—like dissatisfaction or erratic actions—can be early indicators of potential issues. While not always a cause for concern, these signals can suggest there’s something deeper going on.

HR should conduct thorough background checks, not just at hiring, but during transitions within the company (e.g. for promotions). Proactive monitoring can help identify potential risks before they escalate.

The HR team also acts as a bridge between employees and management. By maintaining open communication, they can address problems early, stopping them from becoming bigger threats. When employees feel supported, the chances of negative behaviour drop.

Tellingly, 75% of insider cyber attacks come from unhappy ex-employees. This makes it clear that managing employee satisfaction, both during employment and as they leave, is key to reducing insider threats.

How security teams can leverage employee behaviour 

Security teams can pick up on insider threats by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Setting a baseline for what’s normal can help them can easily spot anything out of the ordinary that might raise a red flag.

It’s not just about monitoring, though. HR and IT need to work together closely. When these teams collaborate, they can spot suspicious activity in real-time and take action before it becomes a bigger issue.

But of course, monitoring and collaboration alone won’t solve everything. Employee training is crucial. 

When staff understand the security risks and know what’s expected of them, they’re much less likely to make costly mistakes. For example, some studies show that the risk level of employees falling for phishing attempts can drop by nearly 50% after 90 days of focused training.

Considering insider threats are behind around 60% of data breaches, it’s clear that security teams need to stay on top of things and team up with HR to create a secure environment.

How employees contribute to prevention 

Employees are your first line of defence when it comes to preventing insider threats. By following security protocols and reporting any suspicious activities, they can help stop threats before they escalate.

Training plays a big part here. When employees understand security risks and know what to look out for, they’re more likely to spot potential threats. In fact, cybersecurity awareness training can reduce security-related risks by as much as 70%, according to some studies.

But it’s not just about training. Employees also need a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing concerns without worrying about retaliation. 

If they see any red flags in their colleagues' behaviour, they should feel empowered to act. When everyone works together, it’s much easier to spot and prevent insider threats before they do any damage.

Best practices for preventing insider threats 

There are a few best practices that can help reduce the risk of insider threats:

  • Clear security protocols: Make sure security protocols are crystal clear and that everyone is trained on them. The clearer the expectations, the less room there is for mistakes or confusion.
  • Regular background checks: Background checks should be part of the process, especially when hiring or during transitions within the company. It’s a simple step that can help spot red flags early.
  • Create a culture of openness: Build an environment where employees feel supported and safe. When people feel heard and valued, they’re less likely to harbour frustrations that could lead to problems.
  • Keep an eye on employee behaviour: Monitoring employee behaviour for signs of unusual activity can help spot potential risks before they become serious threats.

It’s worrying that while 66% of organisations feel vulnerable to insider attacks only 41% of organisations have only partially implemented insider threat programs. 

There’s clearly still work to be done to fully protect against these risks, but by sticking to these best practices, you can make a big difference.

🔒Metomic in Action: Clean Up and Secure Your Google Drive in 15 Minutes

You already have sensitive data in Google Drive, but do you know who has access to it? Security tools often focus on preventing future risks, but what about the data that is already exposed?

In our webinar, we will walk through how you can:

  • Identify and classify sensitive data across your entire Google Drive
  • Fix access risks and remove unnecessary exposure in a few clicks
  • Apply retention policies to keep data under control without disrupting workflows

Instead of hoping for the best, take practical steps to reduce the risk of data breaches and keep your SaaS environment secure from day one.

Key points 

  • Insider threats pose a significant risk to businesses, both intentional and unintentional.
  • Employee behaviour, especially when monitored and understood, is crucial in preventing these threats.
  • HR and security teams must collaborate to identify red flags and implement preventative measures.
  • Metomic offers insider detection tools to help businesses identify and mitigate insider threats through comprehensive data security solutions.

Insider threats are becoming a bigger problem for businesses, and they’re often harder to spot than external attacks. 

In fact, 53% of cybersecurity professionals believe that it’s as difficult to detect insider attacks as those from outside the organisation. 

Whether it’s intentional actions or simple mistakes, insider threats and risks can come from employees, contractors, or even partners. The way people behave at work plays a huge part in managing these risks. 

Recognising warning signs, creating a positive workplace culture, and being proactive can all make a real difference. In this article, we’ll explore how HR, security teams, and employees themselves can help prevent insider threats. 

After all, when it comes to insider threats, it’s not just a problem for the security team. It’s all hands on deck.

The growing risk of insider threats 

Insider threats have become such a problem that it might actually be easier to find companies that haven’t been impacted by them than those that have.

In fact, only 17% of businesses reported no insider attacks in 2024. That leaves a huge majority of organisations dealing with the fallout.

And the costs are steep. For incidents that drag on for more than 90 days, businesses face an average cost of $18.33 million (or around £15 million) in dealing with them. Whether intentional or accidental, insider threats can result in stolen data, reputational damage, and serious financial losses.

As organisations continue to digitalise and more people work remotely, the risks are growing. But the good news is, you can minimise the impact—and it all starts with understanding how HR, security teams, and employees can work together to prevent them.

The role of HR in identifying insider threats 

HR plays a crucial role in spotting and preventing insider threats, often by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Unusual signs—like dissatisfaction or erratic actions—can be early indicators of potential issues. While not always a cause for concern, these signals can suggest there’s something deeper going on.

HR should conduct thorough background checks, not just at hiring, but during transitions within the company (e.g. for promotions). Proactive monitoring can help identify potential risks before they escalate.

The HR team also acts as a bridge between employees and management. By maintaining open communication, they can address problems early, stopping them from becoming bigger threats. When employees feel supported, the chances of negative behaviour drop.

Tellingly, 75% of insider cyber attacks come from unhappy ex-employees. This makes it clear that managing employee satisfaction, both during employment and as they leave, is key to reducing insider threats.

How security teams can leverage employee behaviour 

Security teams can pick up on insider threats by keeping an eye on employee behaviour. Setting a baseline for what’s normal can help them can easily spot anything out of the ordinary that might raise a red flag.

It’s not just about monitoring, though. HR and IT need to work together closely. When these teams collaborate, they can spot suspicious activity in real-time and take action before it becomes a bigger issue.

But of course, monitoring and collaboration alone won’t solve everything. Employee training is crucial. 

When staff understand the security risks and know what’s expected of them, they’re much less likely to make costly mistakes. For example, some studies show that the risk level of employees falling for phishing attempts can drop by nearly 50% after 90 days of focused training.

Considering insider threats are behind around 60% of data breaches, it’s clear that security teams need to stay on top of things and team up with HR to create a secure environment.

How employees contribute to prevention 

Employees are your first line of defence when it comes to preventing insider threats. By following security protocols and reporting any suspicious activities, they can help stop threats before they escalate.

Training plays a big part here. When employees understand security risks and know what to look out for, they’re more likely to spot potential threats. In fact, cybersecurity awareness training can reduce security-related risks by as much as 70%, according to some studies.

But it’s not just about training. Employees also need a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing concerns without worrying about retaliation. 

If they see any red flags in their colleagues' behaviour, they should feel empowered to act. When everyone works together, it’s much easier to spot and prevent insider threats before they do any damage.

Best practices for preventing insider threats 

There are a few best practices that can help reduce the risk of insider threats:

  • Clear security protocols: Make sure security protocols are crystal clear and that everyone is trained on them. The clearer the expectations, the less room there is for mistakes or confusion.
  • Regular background checks: Background checks should be part of the process, especially when hiring or during transitions within the company. It’s a simple step that can help spot red flags early.
  • Create a culture of openness: Build an environment where employees feel supported and safe. When people feel heard and valued, they’re less likely to harbour frustrations that could lead to problems.
  • Keep an eye on employee behaviour: Monitoring employee behaviour for signs of unusual activity can help spot potential risks before they become serious threats.

It’s worrying that while 66% of organisations feel vulnerable to insider attacks only 41% of organisations have only partially implemented insider threat programs. 

There’s clearly still work to be done to fully protect against these risks, but by sticking to these best practices, you can make a big difference.

🔒Metomic in Action: Clean Up and Secure Your Google Drive in 15 Minutes

You already have sensitive data in Google Drive, but do you know who has access to it? Security tools often focus on preventing future risks, but what about the data that is already exposed?

In our webinar, we will walk through how you can:

  • Identify and classify sensitive data across your entire Google Drive
  • Fix access risks and remove unnecessary exposure in a few clicks
  • Apply retention policies to keep data under control without disrupting workflows

Instead of hoping for the best, take practical steps to reduce the risk of data breaches and keep your SaaS environment secure from day one.

Ben van Enckevort

CTO and Co-Founder

Ben van Enckevort is the co-founder and CTO of Metomic

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