Global Insider Threat Prediction 2026 - Survey
Calculation
1. Select exactly 3 of the most likely insider threats to happen in 2026 (Selected {calculation} of 3)
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1. Accidental Data Leaks via AI Tools
- Employees share sensitive data with public AI models, unintentionally exposing confidential information.
2. Shadow AI Deployments
- Employees secretly use unapproved AI apps that copy and send company files to the cloud, bypassing all security.
3. Psychological Fatigue & Negligence
– Stressed, exhausted, or overwhelmed employees make critical errors, mishandle data, or share credentials.
4. Ransomware-Recruited Insiders
– Criminals pay a disgruntled employee $10K–$100K to install ransomware internally.
5. AI Data Poisoning
– A malicious or careless employee injects false or biased data into training sets or analytics systems, corrupting AI outputs and eroding trust.
6. Supply Chain Insider Compromise
– Third-party vendor employees exfiltrate data
7. Hacked Home Device
–A hacked device (computer/router/TV) quietly steals your work login and walks straight into the company as YOU, reading emails, grabbing files, for months.
8. Financially Motivated Data Sales
– Employee steals and sells organisation/customer data on the dark web for cash.
9. AI Analytics Abuse
– Employees misuse AI tools to access sensitive data for personal or financial gain.
10 Autonomous AI Misuse
– Employees built AI agents and operate without oversight, altering or exposing critical data.
11. OT Insider Sabotage
– Plant worker with PLC access intentionally shuts down power/water/production systems.
12. Forgotten Back Doors
– Unrevoked old admin, service or contractor accounts allow insiders to steal data, install malware, or sabotage.
13. Spy Recruitment
- Foreign government pays, blackmails, or coerces employees to hand over defence, tech, or customer secrets.
14. AI-Powered Phishing & Deepfakes
– Worker falls for AI-made fake email, call, or CEO video - gives login credentials or pays fake $500K
15. Insider-Enabled Disinformation
– Employees use AI tools to create or spread false information, manipulating perception or trust
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2. Which insider incident do you believe would be most harmful or have the greatest impact on your organisation if it occurred?
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Accidental Data Leaks via AI Tools
Shadow AI Deployments
Psychological Fatigue & Negligence
Ransomware-Recruited Insiders
AI Data Poisoning
Supply Chain Insider Compromise
Hacked Home Device
Financially Motivated Data Sales
AI Analytics Abuse
Autonomous AI Misuse
OT Insider Sabotage
Forgotten Back Doors
Spy Recruitment
AI-Powered Phishing & Deepfakes
Insider-Enabled Disinformation
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3. Which factor do you think will most drive insider threats in 2026?
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Economic pressure and workforce burnout
Rapid adoption of AI and automation
Geopolitical instability and foreign influence
Weak organisational culture or ethics
Overconfidence in technology and controls
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