What is a likely scenario for an insider threat?

A scenario involving an insider threat typically includes individuals within the organization who misuse their access to sensitive information or systems. A disgruntled employee accessing sensitive data exemplifies this well, as such an individual has the necessary credentials and knowledge of the organization's systems. This insider may exploit their position to sabotage, steal, or leak confidential information, which can severely harm the organization.

In contrast, external hacking attempts or malware distributed through email are not considered insider threats since they originate from outside the organization. While both represent security risks, they do not involve an insider leveraging their access. Security misconfigurations, while potentially harmful, are not typically classified as insider threats unless the misconfiguration is intentionally malicious, which is less common compared to deliberate actions by an employee with insider knowledge. Thus, the scenario of a disgruntled employee reflects the classic definition of an insider threat situation.