#208 - Insider Threat (with Shawnee Delaney)

This podcast episode of CISO Tradecraft features Shawnee Delaney, an insider threat expert, discussing insider threats in cybersecurity. Delaney, whose background includes espionage, explains how understanding human motivation and vulnerabilities is crucial for identifying and mitigating insider threats. The conversation highlights the importance of organizational culture, employee well-being, and proactive measures like employee lifecycle management and psychological testing in preventing such threats. Practical advice is offered for leaders to foster a supportive and communicative work environment to detect potential threats early. Finally, methods for creating effective insider threat programs and addressing cultural issues are explored. Shawnee Delaney's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnee-delaney/ Vaillance Group - https://www.vaillancegroup.com/ Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xJiEMDL8CjNwwfBSvNHfnhfsrVgOMuk0 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Insider Threat 00:26 Guest Introduction: Shawnee Delaney 00:58 CruiseCon 2025 Announcement 01:33 Shawnee's Career Journey 02:18 Understanding Espionage 03:43 Motivations Behind Espionage 07:46 Indicators of Insider Threat 10:48 Building a Positive Organizational Culture 18:21 Implementing an Insider Threat Program 21:05 Psychological Testing in Hiring 23:26 Assessing Organizational Culture 25:34 Core Values in the Navy and Marine Corps 26:16 A Commanding Officer's Story 28:32 Identifying Insider Threats 32:01 The Impact of Job Uncertainty 36:50 Gamifying Security Incentives 39:12 Building a Strong Security Culture 42:05 Final Thoughts and Recommendations