Insider Threat Awareness – Potential Risk Factors for Extremist Radicalization

Security Magazine has published an article describing the domestic terrorism landscape, potential risk factors that might lead someone to become radicalized, and workplace solutions for organizations to increase their security posture. Since 2015, there have been 267 plots or attacks associated with right-wing terrorism, with 91 fatalities, and 66 plots or attacks associated with left-wing terrorism, with 19 fatalities. This violence peaked in 2020 and the broad trend continues to rise.

According to the Department of Justice’s National institute of Justice, risk factors for extremist radicalization include criminal history, mental health issues, unemployment, being single, social isolation, and military experience. An individual can have one or more of these factors and not be at risk for radicalization, but it is important for organizations to monitor these factors in conjunction with other types of data, such as staff reports and employee activity. Organizations can help mitigate these threats by creating a robust security culture that encourages all employees if they “see something, say something” and having an open-door policy that promotes open dialogue and allows individuals to report potential warning signs to security personnel. Lastly, entities should educate their employees on risk factors and behaviors associated with domestic terrorism, workplace violence and other insider threats. Read more at Security Magazine.