This insider threat problem has the US Government in a chokehold
There’s no greater risk to organizational security than that of an insider threat. Those with direct access to sensitive information can bring about irreparable damage to the companies and agencies they represent. Governments are no exception.
The 2025 United States (US) Presidential Election brought with it a tidal wave of policy actions and executive overhauls that has kept the country busy trying to keep track of them all. However, an unintended impact of these rapid transformations has also been an unprecedented risk level attributable to insider threat, both from those working to secure the US Federal Government and on those on their way out from it.
Risk One: The Department of Government Efficiency
One of the biggest changes President Donald Trump instituted on the first day of his presidency was the creation of an independent auditing authority, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In theory, this entity would act with special authorities to review agency programs and expenditures, then make recommendations on whether those expenses and projects should continue.
However, DOGE has thus far operated with limited oversight, obtained no clearances for elevated access to classified information, and allowed employees with questionable track records to carry out their audits. One DOGE staffer tasked with backing up encrypted databases at agencies like USAID was fired from a previous job for leaking company secrets and meddling in their systems for some time after termination. Shortly after this discovery hit news circuits, DOGE leadership accidentally leaked protected, personally identifiable information on the organization’s official webpage.
While the merits of DOGE are subjective, their practices throughout these early months of 2025 have objectively allowed those who would normally be ineligible for security clearances access to some of the most tightly guarded cyber systems on earth. This has put agencies in a sticky situation, asking them to balance deferring to the current Commander-in-Chief and safeguarding national security information.
Risk Two: A Fork in the Road
In addition to DOGE, the Administration offered an exit opportunity to nearly all federal employees, shortly after Donald Trump took office for the second time. The call to action was simple: Voluntarily resign, and enjoy a long, all-expenses-paid divorce from public sector employment.
Despite this, many federal workers averse to what’s happening in politics dug in their heels and risked a layoff. Others readily jumped ship.
In either scenario, disgruntled employees at odds with the Administration and who have (or had) access to state secrets could leak this information to adversarial nations, criminal organizations, or lone wolf saboteurs. State-sponsored threat actors are certainly looking to capitalize on the fallout by tantalizing affected government workers with hefty monetary incentives – a deal made all the sweeter for those from low grades or who were altogether dismissed. This risk was high long before the election and has since skyrocketed for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the Intelligence Community.
Conclusion
Current political happenings are a reminder that even the best intentions can bring about dangerous consequences. Insider threats are serious problem for agencies across the country right now, and the high level of risk that comes with them is unlikely to subside any time soon.
Chameleon Associates helps enterprises like yours consider these variables before rolling out major organizational changes. We coach leaders and staff on how to consider their plans and strategies for gaps and missteps that might let insider threats run amuck and unchecked.
To learn more about how we consult with governments, nonprofits, and businesses on pressing security topics, consider signing up for our in-person seminar.
