From: US GAO | WatchBlog
Thirteen people were killed and dozens more injured when a gunman opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, 6 years ago today. In what’s known as an insider threat, the gunman, a Department of Defense employee, had authorized access to the military base. Today’s WatchBlog looks at how DOD fights against various types of insider threats, whether they’re attacks like the Fort Hood tragedy, the Washington Navy Yard shooting, or the unauthorized release of classified information.
The danger within
Insider threats are familiar with their target. They know the layout, the rules, the routines, the vulnerabilities. They may not raise any suspicions because, unlike outside threats, they belong. Insider threats can even be accidental—an unlocked door or a dropped access badge.
Threats don’t have to be violent to be grave, either. Unauthorized releases of classified information damage national security and potentially put the lives of military servicemembers at greater risk.
Alarmingly, these threats are becoming much more common. Joe Kirschbaum, a director in our Defense Capabilities and Management team, explains:
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