Dec 25, 2018
Insider threat is becoming a key topic for security professionals and its credibility as a threat to any nuclear organization is becoming more of a reality rather than a notion. Historically, threats have come from external forces, but today organizations are also facing the insider threat which can be described as malicious threats from individuals within an organization with access to confidential information related to security and intimate knowledge of a facility. Their insider status could enable them to go around the existing security measure easily.
The UAE is building Baraka Nuclear Energy Plant that consists of 4 units, the first in the world in the last three decades. At this stage, the effective implementation of the latest measures in addressing insider threats are crucial to ensure the full commitment and a high level of nuclear security across all relevant internal and external stakeholders.
A workshop on "Understanding and Mitigating the Insider Threat" was conducted by the World Institute for Nuclear Security jointly with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). The workshop aimed to explore the latest methods to assess and manage insider threats, and the current tools and programmes developed to ensure that the Insider threat is being addressed.
Representatives from 15 countries took part in the workshop, as well as participants from national entities in the UAE. With a diversity of experience among the participants, a fruitful discussion took place on comprehensive insider threat mitigation programmes and the role, contribution and engagement of the relevant stakeholders. UAE speakers provided insights into existing UAE measures and experience against insider threats, as well as on developing a comprehensive approach to mitigate insider threat within different sectors in the UAE.
The workshop concluded with a visit to the IBM Innovation & Industry Solution Center in Abu Dhabi, where participants explored the best practices for preventing cyber insider threats, identified common challenges and potential solutions and discussed the integration of cyber security with other security measures. IBM showcased its security related capabilities and provided insights on the use of Artificial Intelligence and analytics to strengthen security.