A new MeriTalk report says that 45 percent of federal agencies have been insider attack targets over the past 12 months and 29 percent suffered data loss from insider incidents during the same period.MeriTalk said Monday its “Inside Job: The Federal Insider Threat Report,” underwritten by Symantec, is based on a July- August online survey of 150 information technology leaders in federal government.
The study also found that several agencies work to thwart insider threats, with 51 percent of respondents reporting they conduct mock attacks and 73 percent saying they offer annual web-based training programs.
“Investments in the right technology, as well as employee training and education, are critical,” said MeriTalk founder Steve O’Keeffe.
Federal IT manager respondents also believe that Presidential Cross-Agency Priority Goals, Department of Defense Directive 5205 and the government-wide Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program can support agencies’ insider treat prevention efforts.
Fifty-five percent said their organizations have existing insider threat programs.
