An insider threat refers to the risk posed by individuals within an organization-such as employees, contractors, or students-who misuse their authorized access to systems, networks, or data. This misuse can be intentional, like stealing sensitive information, or unintentional, such as accidentally leaking data. Insider threats are challenging to detect because the individuals involved often have legitimate access, making their actions harder to distinguish from normal activity. Organizations address insider threats through monitoring, access controls, and employee training to minimize risks.