July 2021 CDSE Monthly Vigilance Campaign and Insider Threat Updates 

This month’s bulletin highlights new and existing products relating to this month’s Vigilance Campaign theme, as well as CDSE Insider Threat events and new products in the Insider Threat Toolkit.  

This month’s edition focuses on Positive Outcomes in Insider Threat Programs.

Positive Outcomes in Insider Threat Programs Overview 

A positive outcome in Insider Threat (InT) is achieved when a program prevents or mitigates an InT event after recognizing potential risk indicators (PRIs) in individuals who may be on the critical path toward becoming an insider threat. Positive outcomes are achieved through effective detection, intervention, and mitigation of potential insider threats.

Detection: Detection of PRIs typically occurs through reporting by personnel and monitoring conducted by the InT Program. Once detected, the PRI becomes the catalyst for InT Program activities, including information gathering, analysis, reporting, and response.

Intervention: The deployment of mitigation options, or your organization’s “response” to the insider threat, depends on multiple variables and the unique nature of the insider threat. The mitigation strategy may include referral outside of the InT Program when required or actions to mitigate the risk internally. Note that while some InT incidents may warrant referrals and intervention from law enforcement, not all meet reporting thresholds or result in an arrest.

Effective intervention produces positive outcomes for the organization and individual. In fact, effective intervention can alleviate the individual’s stressors and guide them off the critical pathway before they become an insider threat. This allows the organization to protect information, facilities, and personnel and retain valuable employees. 

Effective Mitigation: According to the critical pathway model, without intervention, risky behavior may escalate, causing potential damage to national security, personnel, facilities, or other resources. To be effective, InT Programs must be attentive to potential issues before they pose a threat, have a risk assessment process in place, address potential issues adequately, and take actions that minimize risk.

Resources:

Positive Outcomes in InT Programs Webinar. This webinar includes special guests from U.S. Special Operations Command and highlights positive outcomes from the InT community.

Human Resources and Insider Threat Webinar. This webinar discusses how to leverage Human Resources programs to provide relevant personnel information that can help to identify, mitigate, and respond to insider threats.

Christopher Paul Hasson Case Study. This case study provides an example of a positive InT outcome whereby an effective InT Program prevented an insider threat hostile act.

“Turning People Around, Not Turning Them In” Security Training Videos. This video series provides information on how to identify and report PRI, which helps lead to positive outcomes in InT Programs by preventing an InT hostile act.

Tales from the Inside Vol. 2 Job Aid. This job aid outlines a true story where an InT Program recognizes PRIs in its workforce and takes proactive action by providing a “Mental Health First Aid” program for its employees to help prevent InT acts.

Insider Threat PRI Job Aid. This job aid provides an overview of PRI and how the early reporting of these indicators can prevent harm to yourself, others, the organization, and national security.

Insider Threat Updates: 

National Insider Threat Awareness Month (NITAM) 2021 Cultural Awareness Video Competition. How does your organization create a workplace culture based on respect and understanding of its diverse workforce? DCSA and its partners in the Counter-Insider Threat community invites you to participate in a “Cultural Awareness” video competition for this year’s NITAM event. Competition winners will receive recognition during the Virtual Insider Threat Conference, which will be broadcast virtually to participants across the globe. Go to the CDSE website or view the competition guidelines attached to this newsletter to learn more and get involved.