Ask yourself this: Do you know exactly who in your business can access your critical data right now? More importantly, do they actually need that access to do their job?
Research shows that about half of employees have access to far more information than necessary. This isn’t just a security risk; if someone acts maliciously, mistakes happen. Unnecessary access increases the chances of accidental data leaks, compliance issues, and audit headaches.
This is called insider risk. It can be deliberate, like data theft, but more often it’s accidental. Someone might click the wrong link, send sensitive information to the wrong person, or retain access after leaving the company.
A common culprit is “privilege creep,” where employees gradually accumulate more permissions than they need, often due to role changes or added system access. Few businesses actively manage this, leaving data unnecessarily exposed. Alarmingly, nearly half of businesses report that former employees still have access months after departure.
The solution is to apply the principle of least privilege: employees only get access to what they need, and temporary access is granted “just in time” when necessary. Equally important, all access should be removed immediately when someone leaves the organization.
With today’s cloud apps, AI tools, and “invisible IT,” managing access can be complex, but it’s manageable. Regular reviews, tighter permission controls, and automation tools can significantly reduce risk.
The goal isn’t to slow your team down. It’s to safeguard your data, protect your customers, and maintain your business’s reputation.
If you want help reviewing and securing your access controls, get in touch with Myriad today. Protecting your data now is far easier than responding to a breach later.