The Hidden Threat Inside Every Finance Firm
Published 29 October 2025
When people think of cybersecurity, they imagine hackers but many breaches start from within. Sometimes it’s deliberate, but often it’s just human error.
The two sides of insider threats
- Malicious insiders: Employees or contractors who intentionally steal or misuse data.
- Accidental insiders: Well-meaning staff who make mistakes, like clicking phishing links or sending sensitive information to the wrong person.
Both can lead to major financial and reputational harm.
Why finance firms are vulnerable
Financial services handle high-value data: client portfolios, trading strategies, personal details. Even one careless action can expose this information.
Regulators like the FCA also expect firms to show they’re managing these risks through clear controls and staff training.
Reducing insider risk
At Maple, we take a practical approach:
- Access controls: Limit access so staff only see what they need.
- Privileged account monitoring: Keep an eye on accounts with high levels of access.
- Staff training: Build awareness through real examples and regular refreshers.
- Incident response: Have clear procedures for investigating and responding to internal issues.
Building a culture of security
Technology is part of the solution, but culture matters too. When employees understand why controls exist, and feel comfortable reporting mistakes, security improves dramatically.
A strong insider risk program protects data, builds client confidence, and demonstrates compliance with FCA and GDPR standards.
