Insider Threat Awareness Safeguards National Security
Sept. 3, 2019

The Department of Defense has partnered with interagency stakeholders, including the National Insider Threat Task Force, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, to increase awareness about the risks posed by insider threats and designated September 2019 as “National Insider Threat Awareness Month.”

“Insider threat awareness is about enabling employees to recognize the indicators to deter, detect, and mitigate actions by insiders who may represent a threat to national security,” said Garry Reid, Director for Defense Intelligence (Counterintelligence, Law Enforcement and Security), at the Department of Defense.

Past compromises of national security information by trusted insiders have made America less safe by allowing adversaries unauthorized access to information. Adversaries have used the knowledge from insiders to change tactics to avoid detection and learn where the nation is most vulnerable. These actions, coupled with incidents of senseless loss of life perpetrated by insiders, have highlighted the need for uniform engagement.

“This month, we recommit ourselves to keeping America strong, prosperous, and safe,” Reid continued. “We highlight the importance of insider threat awareness to preserve our personal safety, strong economy, and national security. We challenge all Americans to help protect, preserve, and strengthen our public and private organizations by learning to recognize and report potential risk indicators.”

Proactive insider threat reporting can provide early warning, intervention, and assistance for individuals at risk, while strengthening national resilience. Such reporting can reduce acts of harm to self or others, prevent the loss or compromise of classified information, and minimize damage to national security.