What is a potential risk within an information security program?

Insider theft is indeed a significant potential risk within an information security program. This type of risk arises from individuals within an organization who may use their access to sensitive information for malicious purposes. These insiders can be current or former employees, contractors, or business partners who exploit their legitimate access to compromise confidential data, steal proprietary information, or conduct fraud.

Organizations often implement various security measures—including access controls, monitoring systems, and audit trails—to mitigate the risk of insider threats. However, the very nature of insider threats makes them particularly challenging to address, as these individuals are typically trusted personnel with knowledge of the organization's systems and processes.

In contrast, adherence to strict privacy laws, extensive employee training, and regular audits are proactive measures aimed at strengthening an information security program and minimizing potential risks. While these practices are essential components of a comprehensive security strategy, they do not present inherent risks like insider theft does. Instead, they serve to protect the organization from various threats and enhance overall security posture.