What is a malicious insider in the context of cybersecurity?

A malicious insider refers to an employee or contractor who exploits their authorized access to an organization's systems or data for harmful purposes. This can include actions such as stealing sensitive information, sabotaging systems, or otherwise manipulating data for personal gain or to harm the organization. The key aspect of a malicious insider is that they are trusted individuals who have legitimate access to the organization's resources, which makes their actions particularly dangerous and difficult to detect.

This contrasts with external threats, like hackers who breach security systems from outside the organization, or users who accidentally cause data loss without malicious intent. The malicious insider leverages their insider knowledge and access to execute harmful activities, often evading traditional security measures that are designed to protect against outside threats. Understanding this concept is crucial in developing effective security policies and training programs aimed at mitigating such risks within organizations.