Insider Threat: An Exploration of Non-Homogeneity and Potential Cultural Influences on Shifting Threat Dynamics

Changing dominant sociocultural perspectives within the United States have been accompanied by a documented rise in inside threat incidents that have clearly deviated from the previously recognized traditional threat motivations and models. The ability to mitigate associated risks depends heavily on understanding how shifting dynamics among insider threats manifest themselves. Mitigation considerations drive U.S. agencies and organizations’ need for accurate assessments or ability to measure the potential risks posed by inside threats to entities charged with maintaining sensitive information, systems, or materials. This work measured various shifting cultural perceptions currently observable among the dominant culture, especially in light of the rise of pluralistic relativism–based value systems among U.S. social groups. The influence of rising pluralistic–relativistic thought on shifting threat dynamics is obvious. The research also largely seeks to assess the potential for development of tools in which to determine individuals’ preconceived notions prior to employment or gaining access to sensitive environments through the idea of nonhomogeneous ideological drift (NID). This began by examining the possibility of testing or measuring values that might contribute to increased risk of inside threats―values as pluralistic relativism. Despite limitations precluding an exhaustive examination and finalized development of NID assessment tools, the findings’ revelation of correlative relationships and positive associations suggest that it is possible to measure or test in these areas. Such measurements could offer the potential development of an NID tool to facilitate assessing an individual’s subjective values against those dominant and organic to a given agency or organization.