Which of the following best describes insider threats?

Insider threats are best described as individuals within the organization who misuse their access. This encompasses scenarios where employees or other personnel have legitimate access to company resources but engage in malicious activities or unintentional actions that can lead to security breaches. Such threats are often challenging to detect because the individuals involved have a clear understanding of the organization's security protocols and systems.

This definition highlights the unique nature of insider threats compared to external threats. Individuals outside the organization or those with no access do not have the same level of insight into internal systems, making them inherently different from insiders. Additionally, while automated systems can pose risks, they do not fall under the category of insider threats as they lack the intent associated with human behavior. Therefore, recognizing insider threats is critical for organizations aiming to improve their overall security posture.