What is a defining feature of internal threats?

A defining feature of internal threats is that they can stem from inappropriate behavior by individuals within an organization. This includes employees, contractors, or anyone who has legitimate access to the organization's resources and may misuse that access, either intentionally or unintentionally. Such inappropriate behavior can manifest in various ways, such as violating security policies, mishandling sensitive information, or engaging in malicious activities that compromise the system's integrity.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of employee training and awareness programs to mitigate the risk associated with internal threats. Inappropriate behavior does not solely involve malicious intent; it can also include careless actions that inadvertently expose the organization to risks. As organizations focus on cybersecurity, recognizing the potential for human error or misconduct from within is essential for developing robust security policies and controls.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of internal threats. For instance, internal threats are not restricted to non-employees, nor are they necessarily less frequent than external threats—statistics often show a significant number of breaches stem from insiders. Moreover, they are not exclusively caused by system failures, as many internal issues arise from the actions of individuals rather than technical malfunctions.