A security auditor is putting together a report for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on personnel security and its impact on the security posture of the whole organization.
Which of the following would be the MOST important factor to consider when it comes to personnel security?
Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer
A. B. C. D. E.A.
Personnel security refers to the measures taken to ensure that employees, contractors, and third-party vendors who have access to an organization's resources and data are trustworthy and have the necessary clearance and training to perform their duties. The most important factor to consider when it comes to personnel security is insider threats (Option A).
Insider threats are a significant risk to an organization's security posture as they involve individuals who have authorized access to an organization's systems, data, and resources. Insiders can intentionally or unintentionally cause harm to the organization's operations, assets, and reputation by stealing data, installing malware, modifying or deleting data, or leaking sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
Examples of insider threats include employees who are dissatisfied with their jobs or want to get back at their employers, those who are coerced or bribed by external parties to provide access or information, or those who are negligent or have poor security practices.
Privilege escalation (Option B) is another security threat that is related to insider threats. It occurs when an attacker gains access to a low-level account or system and then elevates their privileges to gain access to sensitive data or systems.
Hacktivists (Option C) are individuals or groups who use hacking techniques to promote a social or political agenda. While they can pose a threat to an organization's security, they are not typically associated with personnel security risks.
Phishing through social media (Option D) is a social engineering tactic that involves tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information or installing malware by posing as a trustworthy source. While it is a significant security threat, it is not directly related to personnel security.
Corporate espionage (Option E) refers to the theft or misappropriation of an organization's intellectual property or trade secrets by competitors or other actors. While it is a security threat, it is not directly related to personnel security.
In conclusion, insider threats are the most important factor to consider when it comes to personnel security. Organizations must implement strong access controls, security awareness training, and monitoring and detection mechanisms to mitigate this risk.