When discussing cybersecurity in companies, the focus is often solely on technology. That’s not only a mistake but an outdated mindset — one that industry leaders have long abandoned. Today, it’s well understood that many cybersecurity threats stem not from vulnerabilities in code but from human errors. It’s often the case that simple mistakes — caused by carelessness or burnout within the IT team — open the door to attackers and result in serious financial, legal, or reputational consequences for businesses.
The human factor in cybersecurity
Contrary to common belief, the biggest cyber threat to businesses isn’t outdated systems or poor software. Increasingly, experts agree that humans are the weakest link in the security chain. Reports support this: Statista says that most CISOs cite human error as the top cybersecurity risk. This trend calls for a major shift in how companies think about prevention.
Even the best technology can fail if human behavior is not taken into account. Hackers know this and are now designing attacks that exploit employee ignorance or inattention rather than relying on flaws in code.
Types of insider threats
Most insider-driven incidents fall into one of three core categories. These types of threats are becoming more frequent, more expensive, and harder to detect — yet are often underestimated:
- Negligent employees: These are people who don’t intentionally cause harm but fail to follow best practices. They might store passwords on sticky notes, use work devices on unsecured networks, or share internal information through personal messaging apps.
- Compromised accounts: These are especially dangerous when the takeover is subtle. So-called “silent takeovers” are difficult to detect and can go unnoticed for long periods.
- Malicious insiders: Whether motivated by personal gain or rival incentives, some employees deliberately leak or sell sensitive data. Examples include selling credentials on the dark web or sharing confidential documents with competitors.
People are inherently unpredictable, and while this is human nature, it can have serious implications for your organization. There’s no universal protocol to manage the risk of insider threats, but consistent prevention and monitoring can significantly reduce your exposure.
Why code security alone isn’t enough
Relying on code alone for a company’s internet security is a strategy that has been disproven by practice. Even the best-written code won’t protect a business from risks caused by human errors. With the rise of new advanced hacking methods, it is important to prepare for the next wave of cyber threats. Preventive measures against cyber threats must also include staff training and effective access management. Unfortunately, these threats are independent of code, just like phishing, which causes major problems for many companies.
How to mitigate human-centered risks
Mitigating risks linked to human behavior requires decisive and structured action. Experts recommend focusing on the following:
- Access segmentation and limitation: Start by analyzing who needs access to what and restrict it accordingly. Don’t assume everyone should have full visibility.
- Zero-trust architecture: No employee should be considered infallible. Every request and login must be verified, regardless of origin.
- Ongoing cybersecurity training: Conduct regular, scenario-based training sessions. Cyberthreats evolve quickly — your team should be just as fast.
- Multi-factor authentication and password managers: Protecting logins is fundamental. Strong credentials supported by MFA drastically reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
These steps work best when part of a unified strategy, especially when reinforced by intelligent automation tools.
The role of threat exposure management platforms
Attack surface management is important in both preventing security incidents and uncovering issues that have already taken place. With advanced threat exposure management tools, companies can continuously monitor their IT systems and track suspicious activity on the dark web.
Whenever the tool picks up on a potential vulnerability or detects the early signs of an attempted breach, it immediately alerts the security team. The same goes for situations where sensitive business data, such as passwords, personal details, or login credentials, ends up exposed on the dark web.
Additional features of exposure management platforms include active detection of so-called cybersquatting (situations where criminals attempt to impersonate the company website) and real-time monitoring of data breaches. Exposure management platforms identify possible system vulnerabilities and then generate detailed reports. Based on those reports, the IT team can build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy tailored to its profile, needs, and team’s capacity.
However, even the most advanced technology won’t protect your business if human vulnerabilities are ignored. While automation tools are evolving rapidly, not every aspect of cybersecurity can — or should — be automated. At the end of the day, your people remain a key line of defense.
