How is a 'malicious insider' defined?

A "malicious insider" is defined as someone within an organization, specifically an employee or contractor, who exploits their legitimate access to intentionally cause harm to the organization’s information or systems. This definition emphasizes the key aspect of being an insider, meaning they have authorized access to the company's resources, which they then abuse for harmful purposes such as data theft, sabotage, or espionage.

This definition differentiates malicious insiders from other roles, such as employees who might unintentionally expose data, common in data breaches due to negligence rather than intent. Additionally, third-party vendors, while they can also pose risks, are not classified as insiders since they are not part of the organization’s internal workforce. Finally, employees who leave a company without notice do not necessarily fit the profile as they may not have any harmful intent towards the organization. The defining characteristic of a malicious insider is the deliberate use of privileged access for nefarious motives, which is clearly highlighted in the correct answer.