In today’s world, insider threats in government and military sectors pose extreme dangers. Individuals inside institutions hold sensitive access. You must understand how to detect such threats quickly. Awareness prevents devastating consequences.
Why Insider Threats in Public Sector Demand Heightened Vigilance
Government and military organizations manage secrets critical to national security and public well‑being. One insider’s betrayal can compromise operations, strategy, and trust. You do not have to work in security to matter. Everyone—from clerks to commanders—can prevent disasters. You must stay alert.
Example 1: Army Intelligence Analyst Korbein Schultz (2024)
In March 2024, U.S. Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz pleaded guilty to selling classified data to Chinese operatives. He received $42,000 and shared dozens of sensitive documents over nearly two years. In April 2025, courts sentenced him to seven years in prison.
This case reminds you how even vetted insiders can change. It underscores the need for continuous behavioral monitoring and effective oversight. Trusted clearance alone cannot guarantee safety.
Example 2: CIA Analyst Asif William Rahman (2024–2025)
In October 2024, U.S. intelligence leaked highly classified documents about Israeli strike plans against Iran. The leak reached public channels, including Telegram. Investigations uncovered CIA analyst Asif William Rahman as the source. He downloaded, printed, and altered documents at home before leaking them.
Rahman pleaded guilty in January 2025 in Virginia federal court. This case highlights that insider threats can disrupt international relations and strain intelligence partnerships.
Lessons from These Real Cases
These real incidents reveal essential lessons:
- Security clearance is not permanent. Schultz passed vetting yet sold secrets years later. Rahman had high-level access yet leaked sensitive data.
- Insider motives vary. Targets include financial gain, ideology, or disillusion.
- Monitoring must be continuous and behavior-based, not just access-based.
- Culture matters. Teams must watch for red flags and feel safe reporting concerns.
Recognizing Insider Threats in Practice
Recognizing insider threats begins with observing unusual patterns. Consider:
- Unauthorized copying of documents beyond job needs
- Sudden behavior shifts or ideological signaling
- Accessing or downloading data outside normal hours
- Evading established protocols or security checks
Trust your judgment. Report anomalies promptly. Early intervention can save entire operations.
Educate Yourself and Others
Staying informed transforms prevention. You must:
- Review training materials regularly
- Learn from actual incidents like Schultz and Rahman
- Talk openly with your team about unusual observations
- Encourage a safe, non-blaming reporting culture
This collective vigilance strengthens security across your unit or agency.
Building Structural Resilience
Organizations should design stronger systems. They must:
- Implement ongoing behavioral analytics tied to user patterns.
- Reevaluate clearance status during role changes or unexplained shifts.
- Embed real case studies in recurring training.
- Promote shared responsibility, everyone secures the mission.
This layered approach keeps threats in check.
Why This Matters to You
Even if you work in support or administration, you hold power to detect threats. Small actions matter:
- Lock computers when off‑duty
- Never share credentials, even temporarily
- Question unusual document access requests
- Think, “What’s odd here?” before dismissing concerns
Security is everyone’s job.
Conclusion: Security Starts With People, Not Just Technology
Insider threats are not rare exceptions. They are recurring, dangerous, and often hard to detect until it is too late. Cases like Korbein Schultz and Asif Rahman prove that even trusted, cleared individuals can become serious risks to national security. Their actions caused not just legal consequences, but deep breaches of trust across military and intelligence communities.
This is why awareness matters. Every person in government or defense—no matter their role—holds a piece of the organization’s security. Technology can help detect threats, but people stop them. You must stay alert, report what feels wrong, and follow secure habits without compromise.
Do not assume someone else is watching. Do not think “it’s not my job.” Your eyes, your instincts, and your actions are your first line of defense. In the mission to protect sensitive data, constant attention is not optional, it is a responsibility.
So, keep learning. Keep questioning. And never ignore the red flag.
Because the next threat could be sitting just one desk away.
Contact TMPC Inc today to learn how we can strengthen your insider threat program and ensure full compliance.
For more information, visit our site, reach out on the contact page, or directly email at joe.teasley@tmpcinc.com where you can find out more about proper Insider Threat Risk Management and get in touch with our team.ross your operations.