The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released new guidance warning that insider threats represent a major and growing risk to organizational security. The advisory was issued during the same week reports emerged about a senior agency official mishandling sensitive information, drawing renewed attention to the dangers posed by internal security lapses.
In its announcement, CISA described insider threats as risks that originate from within an organization and can arise from either malicious intent or accidental mistakes. The agency stressed that trusted individuals with legitimate system access can unintentionally cause serious harm to data security, operational stability, and public confidence.
To help organizations manage these risks, CISA published an infographic outlining how to create a structured insider threat management team. The agency recommends that these teams include professionals from multiple departments, such as human resources, legal counsel, cybersecurity teams, IT leadership, and threat analysis units. Depending on the situation, organizations may also need to work with external partners, including law enforcement or health and risk professionals.
According to CISA, these teams are responsible for overseeing insider threat programs, identifying early warning signs, and responding to potential risks before they escalate into larger incidents. The agency also pointed organizations to additional free resources, including a detailed mitigation guide, training workshops, and tools to evaluate the effectiveness of insider threat programs.
Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala emphasized that insider threats can undermine trust and disrupt critical operations, making them particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
Shortly before the guidance was released, media reports revealed that Gottumukkala had uploaded sensitive CISA contracting documents into a public version of an AI chatbot during the previous summer. According to unnamed officials, the activity triggered automated security alerts designed to prevent unauthorized data exposure from federal systems.
CISA’s Director of Public Affairs later confirmed that the chatbot was used with specific controls in place and stated that the usage was limited in duration. The agency noted that the official had received temporary authorization to access the tool and last used it in mid-July 2025.
By default, CISA blocks employee access to public AI platforms unless an exception is granted. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CISA, also operates an internal AI system designed to prevent sensitive government information from leaving federal networks.
Security experts caution that data shared with public AI services may be stored or processed outside the user’s control, depending on platform policies. This makes such tools particularly risky when handling government or critical infrastructure information.
The incident adds to a series of reported internal disputes and security-related controversies involving senior leadership, as well as similar lapses across other US government departments in recent years. These cases are a testament to how poor internal controls and misuse of personal or unsecured technologies can place national security and critical infrastructure at risk.
While CISA’s guidance is primarily aimed at critical infrastructure operators and regional governments, recent events suggest that insider threat management remains a challenge across all levels of government. As organizations increasingly rely on AI and interconnected digital systems, experts continue to stress that strong oversight, clear policies, and leadership accountability are essential to reducing insider-related security risks.
