GSSR Special Issue: NSCITF Report on Insider Threats

About This Special Issue

The Georgetown Security Studies Review is very proud to present a new special issue: “Millenial Considerations on Insider Threat: Are We A Threat Or An Opportunity?” This special issue is the latest iteration of a special report compiled by the National Security Critical Issues Task Force (NSCITF) and it investigates the nexus between the ongoing generational shift and insider threats.

As insider threat prevention receives increasing attention, the National Security Critical Issues
Task Force examined if Millennials–now the largest segment of the workforce–represent a threat or an opportunity to employers. Through this research we found that Millennials have the same triggers to become insider threats as previous generations, but have so far engaged in insider threat at much lower rates. Millennials may be susceptible to insider threat in new ways, however, such as unprecedented levels of debt earlier in life, targeting opportunities from social media, and technology vulnerabilities due to mobile device usage. To address these challenges, we examined how various large private sector organizations have adapted their corporate culture to better engage their Millennial workforce. Based on our research and findings, we recommend that employers take a two-pronged approach. First, organizations should make adjustments to the corporate culture to reflect Millennial preferences; examples include flattening the management structure, providing clear pathways to professional development, and prioritizing community engagement. Second, employers should develop a comprehensive insider threat program which educates employees on appropriate social media and mobile device usage, while also monitoring employee behavior and technology advancements that could create new vulnerabilities. Implementing the aforementioned recommendations will not eliminate insider threat completely, but could help reduce it through increased job satisfaction, education, and vigilance.

If you are interested in publishing with the GSSR in future editions or on our online forum, please see our Contribute page or contact the Editor-in-Chief at gssr@georgetown.edu.