Why might some personnel push back against the need for an insider threat program?

The belief that the presence of an insider threat would be obvious reflects a common misconception about insider threats. Many personnel might think that if someone is posing a threat from within an organization, their actions would be glaringly evident and thus, do not require a specialized program for detection and prevention. This line of thought overlooks the subtler, often cunning nature of insider threats, which can be difficult to identify. Insiders typically have knowledge of the organization's operations, culture, and security measures, allowing them to act in ways that blend in with normal activities, making their actions less detectable. A well-structured insider threat program is designed to help identify early warning signs and mitigate risks that might not be overtly obvious, thereby emphasizing the importance of such programs beyond the assumption that threats will be apparent.

Understanding this makes it clear why simply believing that insider threats would be obvious can hinder the acceptance and implementation of necessary protective measures.