This Insider Data Theft Glossary provides essential terminology for understanding and addressing security risks that originate from within organizations. These terms, from detection and monitoring to prevention and response, help security professionals identify, prevent, and respond to potential insider threats and unauthorized data access.
Table of Contents
Core Concepts
Data Exfiltration
The unauthorized transfer or copying of data from a computer or server. Can occur through email, file transfers, USB devices, or cloud storage services.
Insider Threat
A security risk that originates from within the organization, typically from current or former employees, contractors, or business partners who have authorized access to systems and data.
Privileged User
An individual with elevated access rights to systems, networks, or data beyond those of standard users. Often includes system administrators, database administrators, and security personnel.
User Behavior Analytics (UBA)
Tracking, collecting and assessing user data and activities using monitoring systems. Helps identify abnormal behavior that may indicate insider threats.
Detection & Monitoring
Access Logs
Records of system and data access attempts, including successful and failed login attempts, file access, and system commands executed by users.
Audit Trail
A chronological record of system activities that provides documentary evidence of the sequence of activities affecting operations, procedures, or events.
Baseline Behavior
The typical pattern of user activity against which anomalies can be detected. Normal working hours, typical data access patterns, and regular system usage.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Technologies and processes that ensure sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users. Includes monitoring, detecting, and blocking data exfiltration attempts.
Digital Forensics
Collecting, preserving and analyzing digital evidence related to insider incidents. Used to investigate data theft and establish legal evidence.
Endpoint Monitoring
The practice of monitoring activity on end-user devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices to detect suspicious behavior.
Risk Indicators
Behavioral Indicators
Observable actions or patterns that may signal potential insider threats, such as accessing systems outside normal working hours or downloading unusual amounts of data.
Data Hoarding
Collecting and storing excessive amounts of data beyond job requirements is often a precursor to data theft.
Suspicious Activity
Any user behavior deviates from established baselines or violates security policies, such as bulk file downloads or attempts to access unauthorized systems.
Technical Indicators
System-level signs may indicate insider threat activity, such as installing unauthorized software, using external storage devices, or attempting to bypass security controls.
Prevention & Controls
Access Control
Systems and policies that restrict and monitor user access to resources based on job role and need-to-know basis.
Data Classification
The process of categorizing data based on sensitivity and criticality to determine appropriate security controls and access restrictions.
Device Control
Policies and technologies that manage the use of external devices (such as USB drives) and monitor/prevent unauthorized data transfers.
Information Rights Management (IRM)
Technology that protects sensitive information by controlling how files can be used, forwarded, printed, or copied, even after they leave the organization.
Least Privilege
The principle of providing users with the minimum levels of access required to perform their job functions.
Network Segmentation
The practice of dividing a network into segments to control access and limit the potential impact of insider threats.
Security Awareness Training
Educational programs are designed to help employees recognize and report potential insider threats and understand security policies and procedures.
Response & Investigation
Chain of Custody
Documentation that tracks the movement and handling of evidence during an investigation, maintaining its integrity for potential legal proceedings.
Employee Monitoring
The use of software and systems to track employee activities on corporate networks and devices, including email monitoring, web browsing history, and file access patterns.
Incident Response Plan
A documented set of procedures to detect, respond to, and limit the consequences of insider threat incidents.
Legal Hold
A process of preserving all forms of relevant information when litigation is reasonably anticipated, including electronic documents, emails, and system logs.
Organizational Measures
Data Governance
Framework for ensuring that organizational data is formally managed and that data handling policies are enforced.
Exit Procedures
Formal processes for managing departing employees, including revoking access, collecting company assets, and ensuring data is not removed.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A legal contract that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that parties wish to share but is restricted from wider use or dissemination.
Separation of Duties
The principle of dividing critical functions among employees prevents individuals from having excessive control or access.
Whistleblower Protection
Policies and legal protections for individuals who report suspected insider threats or security violations within the organization.
