An employee can be your biggest asset—or your greatest weakness. They might unintentionally open the door to attackers, click on a dangerous email, use a weak password, or even consciously collaborate with cybercriminals. Not every data breach is the result of a sophisticated hacker attack. Sometimes, all it takes is one mistake or malicious intent from the inside.
The latest data breach on social network X is a perfect example. On the surface, it may seem like just a reprocessing of previously leaked data. But a closer look reveals a fundamental security failure. The individual responsible, who claims not to be a "hacker," combined data from two massive breaches—a previous 200-million-record dataset and a newer 2.8-billion-record leak—to create a much more dangerous and complex set of information. According to him, the data was publicly available through the API of social network X, but the real question is: how did he initially access it? Available information suggests this is a textbook case of an insider threat—someone with internal access to the data who, either knowingly or unknowingly, exposed it to the wrong parties.
This breach demonstrates how even legally accessible information can be misused if aggregated into one large dataset. When various data sources are combined, they create detailed user profiles that can be exploited for phishing attacks, social engineering, or even de-anonymization. Although no passwords were included in this leak, the combination of older, already leaked data with new metadata could lead to serious cybersecurity threats.
When the Threat Comes from Inside
Imagine this: you work at a company managing the sensitive data of millions. One day, a massive dataset surfaces online that should never have existed. It’s not the result of an external hack but the actions of someone with internal access. This case highlights that threats don’t just come from the outside—it can be a classic insider threat situation, driven by curiosity, personal gain, or even under the guise of the "public good."
It also reminds us of a disturbing reality. Data breaches don’t always require sophisticated hacks or exploits. Sometimes, all it takes is an employee—knowingly or unknowingly—leaking sensitive data to the wrong people. If someone with the right knowledge and motivation gets hold of the data, it can be misused in ways that severely damage the company.
One in Five Attacks
According to some security reports, 20–25% of ransomware attacks are related to insider threats. Employees may act carelessly, underestimate security measures, or be used as tools by cybercriminals. The X case further confirms that insider threats are a real and growing danger. They are particularly risky because they come from within an environment that companies inherently trust. After all, who suspects their own people?
These aren't just statistics. In the past, employees have caused major data breaches—intentionally or not. One disgruntled worker might sell data to a competitor. One careless admin might forget to enable security features. One regular employee might never change their password, letting attackers exploit an old leak. A ransomware hacker often needs just one mistake to paralyze an entire company.
How to Defend Against Insider Threats
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – prevents unauthorized access even when passwords are leaked.
- Limit access to sensitive data – not every employee needs access to everything.
- Monitor suspicious behavior – if someone is downloading huge volumes of data, investigate.
- Educate employees – many insider threats stem from ignorance, not malice.
- Regularly update and back up data – the better the protection, the lower the risk of exposure.
You Can Prepare for the Future Today
Our company offers a complete portfolio of services designed to protect your business—even from internal threats:
- vScan – Scans IT infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do. It continuously monitors networks, maintains an updated inventory of devices, and integrates with existing systems to prevent security incidents.
- Securea – An advanced tool for managing cyber risks and ensuring compliance with security regulations. It enables efficient management of security processes, risk assessment, and optimization of investments in the protection of sensitive data.
- Security Operations Center (SOC) – 24/7 monitoring of IT systems, cyber threat detection, and immediate incident response. The SOC uses advanced analytical tools, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence to prevent and resolve cyberattacks before they cause damage.
- Protegamus – A simulation platform for training in cyber incidents that allows IT teams and staff to practice responses to real-life cyberattacks. Interactive exercises help quickly and effectively improve the resilience of any organization that uses them.
With our solutions, you can not only minimize the risk of cyberattacks but also increase your resilience against ever-evolving threats—including internal ones. Don’t forget—most companies fear external hackers, but the real "hackers" might be sitting just a few desks away. The X case is yet another warning that insider threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. Trust—but verify, even your own people.
The project funded through grant agreement number 101145856 is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.
