Department of Defense (DoD) Information Security and Insider Threat Practice Test

The distinction between a data breach and an insider threat lies primarily in the nature of the actions taken by individuals and their intentions. An insider threat specifically involves individuals who have authorized access to information or systems and who misuse that access to harm the organization, either intentionally or through negligence. This exploitation of access can lead to unauthorized data disclosure, manipulation, or destruction of sensitive information.

On the other hand, a data breach refers to any incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to data, whether through hacking, malware, lost or stolen devices, or insider actions. Importantly, not all data breaches are perpetrated by insiders; many can occur due to external threats.

This highlights why the identification of insider threats focuses on the behavior and motivations of trusted individuals within the organization, whereas data breaches encompass a broader array of incidents that may originate both internally and externally. Understanding this difference is crucial for developing effective security measures and responses in protecting sensitive information.