An insider threat refers to a security risk that originates from within the organization. This could be an employee, contractor, or vendor with access to systems and data who misuses that access — either maliciously or unintentionally.
There are typically three categories:
Malicious insiders (e.g., disgruntled employees stealing data)
Negligent insiders (e.g., employees who fall for phishing or mishandle data)
Compromised insiders (e.g., user accounts hijacked by external actors)
The impact can be devastating — data theft, compliance violations, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.
Not Only Coinbase was effected by insider threat, In a recent high-profile case, a major automotive company discovered that a former employee had sabotaged internal systems and exfiltrated sensitive data just before their departure. The individual reportedly altered code and transferred confidential files to external storage, going undetected for a significant period. This incident underscores how challenging it can be to detect and contain insider threats — especially when internal users are treated as inherently trusted.
The SURF Enterprise Browser and Extension is purpose-built to secure the modern, browser-centric workspace — where most SaaS work and sensitive data flow today. Here’s how SURF proactively protects against insider risks:
Admins can restrict access based on user role, location, device posture, and risk profile — ensuring only the right people can access the right resources.
SURF provides detailed session logs of user activity — including file uploads/downloads, clipboard usage, attempted screen sharing, and more. This visibility helps detect abnormal behavior early.
You can block risky behavior such as:
Copy-pasting sensitive data
Printing or downloading files from specific apps
Using screen-sharing tools
Accessing unapproved SaaS or web platforms
SURF policies adapt dynamically — for example, if an employee logs in from an unmanaged device or fails a posture check, their access can be automatically restricted or redirected.
Every user action is logged in real-time, supporting forensic investigations and compliance audits for frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or HIPAA.
Insider threats are no longer edge cases — they are a growing, recurring risk in today’s distributed, cloud-first workplaces. Traditional tools aren’t built to handle the nuance of trusted yet risky users.
That’s where SURF comes in.
Whether you’re dealing with a malicious actor or just an employee who made a mistake, SURF ensures that visibility, control, and prevention are built into every browser session — turning your biggest blind spot into your strongest line of defense.