Using empirical insider threat case data to design a mitigation strategy

1. Understanding the Complexity of Insider Threat According to research by the CERT Program (CERT) in the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, approximately half of all organizat1ons experience at least one electronic crime perpetrated by an insider each year. These crimes include theft, sabotage, fraud, and espionage. CERT began researching this problem in 2001. It has compiled a database of more than 500 criminal cases in which current or former employees, contractors, or business partners abused the trust and access associated with their positions. As part of its research, CERT interviewed many victim organizations. It also interviewed some perpetrators themselves, complementing a wealth of case data with first-hand insights into the methods and motivations behind these crimes.