Why the Most Likable Person Might Be the Biggest Threat

As a cleared employee (and uncleared ones as well), you commit to participate in a thorough security training each year. Watching those staged training videos can lead one to believe that bad actors are hiding in the shadows, wearing trenchcoats and fedoras, passing information in manila envelopes to fellow shady characters or the outwardly disgruntled, hostile coworker. When in actuality, real insider threats are most likely to look just like you and me, sociable and open - a trusted peer.

Potential targets often underestimate their value. They think: “Why would a spy want information from someone like me?” or “I’m just one small cog in this huge government.” But spy recruiters anticipate these doubts. Their proposals come after carefully planned interactions. What once required months of grooming—identifying a target, building trust, and securing cooperation—now often involves more nuanced, efficient and covert methods.

A spy can equip themselves with personalized data that can be easily accessed through social media. They fabricate a compelling backstory, then ‘accidentally’ encounter their target, taking advantage of a person's sociability and friendliness.

Reporting and Protection

The lesson is that it is important to recognize that anyone is susceptible to recruitment by bad actors. When doubts arise, if anything seems out of the ordinary, suspicious or even just off, don’t second-guess yourself. Make sure you understand your reporting obligations and who to reach out to.

Your vigilance protects not just yourself, but your organization and your country.