Are Your Employees Compromising Security?

Organizations devote a lot of efforts towards physical security like alarm systems, video surveillance, visitor management systems, and more. But not all threats to security come from the outside.

Oftentimes, actions by employees cause some of the worst security breaches. Whether they fall for a phishing email, exposing your networks to hackers. A disgruntled employee intentionally sharing your data and trade secrets with a competitor. Or your security and front desk team allowing someone in the building unattended.

When you educate your employees about security practices, reinforce principles through security audits, model safe security practices, and implement easy-to-use tools, you can do a lot to prevent unintentional security problems. And though you can’t always control the intentions of others, you can trust yourself and others in your organization to watch for indicators and behavior that may indicate they are a security risk.

• Anger at feedback. Employees who receive feedback or criticism poorly may become disgruntled and vengeful. If you notice an employee exhibiting angry behavior after being disciplined, keep them on your radar.
• Antagonism. Be watchful with workers who are consistently negative about company policies and try to rally others to their cause.
• Strange hours. If employees change their working times so that they are hanging around after hours—or remotely accessing the network at odd times—pay attention. This could be an indicator of malicious activities.
• Financial problems. Employees who indicate that they are in dire financial straits could have a greater temptation to steal company assets or expose your organization’s proprietary information for personal gain.
• Sudden fortune. A worker who seems to be living more lavishly than usual without any explanation could be profiting from your company, whether by stealing money or selling your company’s data.
• Unattended visitors. An employee may allow visitors in the building without proper identification or validation from the security team or front desk. Unauthorized visitors can roam your facility exposing secure information not allowed on the outside of the organization.

In addition to watching for red flag behaviors, take special notice of employees who are fired or who choose to quit. Disgruntled employees with a vendetta can pose a significant threat—especially if they have had access to sensitive information. Ensure that these individuals no longer have access to facilities, company computers, or the network by utilizing powerful, easy-to-use security tools like FedCheck. Instantly background check all visitors, including former employees, before they are allowed inside to reduce the risk of theft, vandalization, violence, and more.

A safe and secure facility starts from within and ensuring your security efforts aren’t compromised doesn’t have to be complicated. By educating everyone in your company on how to watch for all these warning signs and upping your security technology your organization will be able to sense trouble before it turns into something worse. Keeping everyone safe and secure.