Instructor: In this lesson,
we will learn about attribution.
Attribution is the process of identifying the source
or threat actor responsible for a security incident.
A type of actor that an incident may be attributed to
is an insider threat.
Insider threats occur
when an individual within the organization,
such as an employee or contractor,
intentionally or unintentionally compromise systems or data.
In this situation,
attribution focuses on gathering evidence,
such as access logs
and behavioral analytics,
to confirm the threat originated internally
and determine if the incident was caused
by negligence, error, or malicious intent.
Let's learn more about attribution to an insider threat.
Attribution in cybersecurity enables an organization
to identify the source
or actor behind a security breach or incident.
When an incident is linked to an insider,
the term insider threat is used.
An insider threat occurs
when an individual within the organization,
such as an employee, contractor,
or trusted business partner,
compromises the organization's security,
either intentionally or unintentionally.
This type of threat can range from accidental data exposure
due to negligence
to a deliberate attack with malicious intent.
Recognizing that the threat originates
from within the organization
is critical to tailoring the response
and strengthening internal security measures.
Attribution to an insider threat involves gathering
and analyzing evidence
that demonstrates the threat originated
from someone inside the organization.
This evidence can help distinguish between an intentional
and unintentional threat.
For instance, access logs can reveal patterns
of suspicious activity,
such as accessing files
outside the individual's typical role,
or during unusual hours.
So if an employee in finance accesses files specific
to research and development, it may raise a red flag.
In this way, logs form an important piece of evidence
in confirming that the activity is indeed
from within the organization,
and in determining whether the activity was intentional
or unintentional.
Detecting insider threats requires a blend of tools
and methods focused on both technical and physical security.
Many companies use behavioral analytics software,
like Splunk User Behavior Analytics,
or Exabeam to track user activity and identify anomalies.
This software establishes a baseline
for each user's regular activity,
and then flags deviations,
such as accessing sensitive files outside work hours,
or copying large volumes of data.
Additionally, monitoring software like Teramind
or ActivTrak can capture keystrokes, emails,
and web activity,
providing further insight into an insider's actions.
So by cross-referencing these data points,
an organization can build a clearer picture
of potentially harmful activities,
and better attribute the source of any suspicious behavior.
Next, physical security measures also play a role
in identifying insider threats.
For instance, security cameras
and access control systems can log
and record physical movements within restricted areas.
If an employee is frequently seen
entering a restricted data center without a clear need,
it could indicate suspicious behavior.
Also, badge systems can track who enters specific areas
of a building and when,
allowing security teams
to correlate these records with digital access logs
to identify suspicious entries.
Combining these physical
and technical records creates a comprehensive view
of an insider's activity,
making it easier to attribute actions to an individual
and assess intent.
Finally, an absolutely critical aspect
of managing insider threats is ensuring
that the organizational offboarding process is secure
and effective.
This is because if the offboarding process is incomplete
or ineffective,
former employees may still pose an insider threat
by accessing systems
or data they are no longer authorized to view.
For example, if an employee leaves the company
but retains access to sensitive systems,
they could inadvertently or intentionally cause harm.
So ensuring that credentials are deactivated promptly
and that all associated access points,
such as VPN access, cloud services, and email accounts,
are fully revoked helps mitigate this risk
and prevent potential breaches by former employees.
Additionally, removing any permissions
for remote desktop connections,
disabling multifactor authentication tokens,
and securing physical access points,
like badge access to the building or secure areas,
closes off any remaining avenues
through which a former employee
could still access sensitive data.
This comprehensive offboarding process reduces the risk
of unauthorized access,
and strengthens security post-employment.
Ultimately, once an insider threat is identified,
organizations need to respond swiftly
to prevent further risk.
This may involve restricting access, conducting interviews,
or taking legal action if malicious intent is confirmed.
So understanding
that the threat originated internally allows organizations
to adjust security policies, enhance monitoring,
and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Through proper attribution,
organizations can safeguard sensitive information,
maintain trust, and create a more secure work environment.
So remember,
attribution is about identifying the source
of a security incident,
especially when it involves an insider
within the organization.
Insider threats can occur due to either intentional
or accidental actions by employees, contractors,
or other trusted individuals.
By analyzing evidence,
like access logs and behavioral patterns,
organizations can determine if the activity was internal,
and whether it was caused by negligence or malicious intent.
This approach helps organizations respond effectively,
strengthen security,
and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.