Countering Stress in Insider Threat Professionals

What is it about?

The United States Government and the National Defense Industrial Base are exposed to “insider threats in many different forms, people who may use privileged access for harmful purposes such as stealing confidential information, or acts of targeted violence, etc. Insider threat (InT) assessment and management professionals are tasked with deterring, detecting and mitigating risk from insiders. The work they do is often demanding, requiring professional expertise, long hours, and exposure to disturbing material. This study of 286 professionals represents the first systematic study of the stressors they face, and how stress is expressed in psychological and physical symptoms. Study findings show that InT professionals experience higher levels of overall stress than the general U.S. population, but there are some nuances to the results. The sample reported relatively low levels of most external stress factors (stressors), which may reflect their professional confidence and motivation. However, they reported substantially elevated levels of various stress symptoms (strain) including muscular tension, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and agitation. Findings were broadly similar across different age groups, job roles, and levels of experience. Further analysis of individual variation in stress identified multiple predictors of stress symptoms, including concerns about work and family responsibilities. Despite professionals’ confidence that they can cope with stress, the demands of the job may exact a price in relation to physical and mental health.

Featured Image

Photo by Aleksei Zhivilov on Unsplash

Photo by Aleksei Zhivilov on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The work of InT professionals is vital for national security. Excessive stress can degrade work efficiency, damage employee health, and hinder recruitment and retention of employees. The commitment of InT professionals to their jobs may limit their awareness of the burden of work demands. There is a need for greater awareness of potential vulnerability to stress and for proactive stress management. Interventions to consider include: mitigating work demands, training resilience and coping skills, and promoting an organizational culture that values and supports work-life harmony.