The Millennial generation as an insider threat: high risk or overhyped?

Abstract

Cyber security experts agree that insider threats are and will continue to be a threat to every organization. These threats come from trusted co-workers who, for one reason or another, betray their organizations and steal data, disrupt information systems, or corrupt the data. Millennials are commonly thought of as entitled, high maintenance, and less trustworthy than the older generations; in other words, they have personality traits associated with insider threats, making the insider threat and the Millennial a dangerous combination. But are the Millennials truly any more likely to become insider threats than members Generation X (GenX) or Baby Boomers? This study shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom and societal belief, Millennials are no more likely to become insider threats than other generations; in fact, data shows they are less likely to do so than members of GenX.