Which group is primarily at risk for creating an insider threat?

Current employees with access are primarily at risk for creating an insider threat because they have established relationships within the organization and possess knowledge of internal processes, systems, and security measures. This familiarity can lead to vulnerabilities, as current employees may have access to sensitive information and may be motivated by various factors, such as dissatisfaction with their job, financial pressures, or even coercion from external actors. Their insider status gives them the ability to exploit their knowledge for malicious purposes, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

In contrast, temporary contractors are usually under strict supervision and have limited time to access sensitive data, reducing their potential to create long-term threats. External clients generally do not have direct access to internal systems, making their risk profile different from that of current employees. Security personnel, while having a significant responsibility for maintaining security protocols, are typically trained to recognize and mitigate such threats, making them less likely to be the primary source of insider threats compared to employees who are more entrenched within the organization.