Insider Threat
At colleges and universities, insider threats can come from anyone with access—faculty, staff, students. Sometimes it’s accidental, like forwarding the wrong file. Other times, it’s intentional. Always be mindful of how you handle university data and systems.
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Stay Aware
- Accidental insider threats are common—like clicking a phishing email or storing sensitive data in unapproved apps. Stay cyber-aware by completing trainings, being cautious with links, and asking IT when in doubt. One misstep can impact the whole campus.
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Think Before You Click
- Phishing emails aren’t always from strangers—they can come from someone you know whose account was compromised, making them an insider threat. One careless click can open the door to stolen data, financial loss, or disrupted systems.
- Check the sender: Is the email really from who it says it’s from? Hover over the address to confirm.
- Look for red flags: Urgent requests, misspellings, or unfamiliar links are often warning signs.
- Don’t download unexpected attachments: Even if it looks like it’s from a colleague or professor.
- Report it: If something seems off, forward the email to your IT or security team. Better safe than sorry.
- Phishing emails aren’t always from strangers—they can come from someone you know whose account was compromised, making them an insider threat. One careless click can open the door to stolen data, financial loss, or disrupted systems.
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See Something Suspicious, Say Something
- Unusual behavior—like someone trying to access restricted systems, download large amounts of data, or bypass security rules—could be a red flag. Don’t assume someone else will report it. Whether you’re a facutly, staff, or student staying SpiderSecure is everyone’s job.