The psychology of the employee, key factor for business security

The Psychology of the Employee: A Key Factor in Insider Risk Prevention

One of the most complex problems — and causes of significant economic loss for companies — are internal security incidents involving personnel (own or outsourced) and related to data, documentation, and information systems.

Most measures implemented in these situations are reactive, applied only after the incident has occurred and the damage is done. From Kymatio, a preventive approach to insider-origin incidents is promoted, focusing on a key factor often overlooked: the psychology of the employee.

We Are Different

In daily life, people give off subtle signals about how they think, feel, and interact with the world. Some are more active, social, and communicative; others are quieter and more reserved. These differences matter — especially in the workplace — because they shape how individuals respond to challenges and risks.

Inside a company, this diversity creates a complex ecosystem of human interactions, each with strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these variations helps identify needs and support levers that can improve performance and reduce risks.

Focus on Information Protection

Thomas R. Peltier, in his article "Social Engineering: Concepts and Solutions" for the Information Security Journal, states that around 70% of incidents related to information leakage originate from employees themselves. Most of these come from the Insider Risk Group Negligence (IRG Negligence) — not from malicious intent.

Knowing employees’ psychology, job situation, level of awareness, and cybersecurity habits helps:

• Determine the main IRGs they may belong to.
• Take preventive actions to reduce associated risks.

For example, identifying workers prone to elicitation risks allows for targeted awareness and strengthening measures, reducing vulnerability to social engineering.

Environmental Factors and Stressors

Beyond individual traits, external stressors — family issues, workplace conflicts, or financial problems — can negatively impact behavior, increasing the likelihood of insider incidents, intentional or not.

Knowing the IRG typologies relevant to each worker is key to tailoring risk mitigation recommendations. With insight into a person’s psychology and stress factors, companies can anticipate situations that may escalate into higher risk and intervene early.

Kymatio’s Approach

Kymatio evaluates multiple parameters, including employee psychology, to identify key improvement areas and offer:

• Recommendations tailored to risk profiles.
• Training itineraries in the form of “knowledge pills” to strengthen both employees and the organization.

The goal is preventive, efficient, and early action — reducing risk while supporting employee growth and wellbeing.

Conclusion

In the workplace, performance and skills are not the only factors companies should consider. Understanding how employees feel and operate allows organizations to:

• Enhance their strengths.
• Support areas for improvement.
• Maintain optimal wellbeing.

This benefits both the employee — personally and professionally — and the company as a whole.

Find out more about insider risk prevention and activation of human firewalls at Kymatio.com