Defined term

Insider Threat

Insider Threat: The threat that an insider will use her/his authorized access, wittingly or unwittingly, to do harm to the security of the United States.

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Definition

The threat that an insider will use her/his authorized access, wittingly or unwittingly, to do harm to the security of the United States. This threat can include damage to the United States through espionage, terrorism, unauthorized disclosure, or through the loss or degradation of departmental resources or capabilities.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

The threat that an insider will use their authorized access, wittingly or unwittingly, to do harm to the organization.

Source: March 2020 CSC ReportType: external
Definition 3

The risk that one or more individuals with the access to and/or internal knowledge of a company, organization, or enterprise would exploit the vulnerabilities of that entity’s security, systems, services, products, or facilities with the intent to cause harm.

Source: ODNI Cyber Threats to Elections LexiconType: external

Sources

1
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
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2
March 2020 CSC Report
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3
ODNI Cyber Threats to Elections Lexicon
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