THR-16: Insider Threat Awareness
Mechanisms exist to utilize security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat.
Renumbered: Formerly THR-05 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization utilize security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat?
General (23)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| GovRAMP | AT-02(02) |
| GovRAMP Low+ | AT-02(02) |
| GovRAMP Moderate | AT-02(02) |
| GovRAMP High | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | AT-2(2) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (low) (source) | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | AT-02(02) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 | AT-2(2) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 C-SCRM Baseline | AT-2(2) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Flow Down | AT-2(2) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 | AT-2(2) |
| NIST 800-171 R2 (source) | 3.2.3 |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.02.01.a.03 |
| NIST 800-171A (source) | 3.2.3[a] 3.2.3[b] |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.02.01.a.03[01] A.03.02.01.a.03[02] |
| NIST CSF 2.0 (source) | ID.RA-03 |
| SPARTA 4.0 | CM0052 |
US (10)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | AT-2(2) |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | ATL2.-3.2.3 |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | AT-2(2) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) | AT-02(02) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | AT-02(02) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | AT-02(02) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | AT-2(CE-2) |
| USA Federal NISPOM 2020 | §117.12(g) §117.12(g)(1) §117.12(g)(1)(i) §117.12(g)(1)(ii) §117.12(g)(1)(iii) §117.12(g)(1)(iv) §117.12(g)(2) §117.12(g)(2)(i) §117.12(g)(2)(ii) §117.12(g)(2)(iii) §117.12(g)(2)(iv) |
| USA Texas DIR SCSC 2.2 2025 | AT-02(2) |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | AT-02 (02) |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1625 ISM-1626 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.02.01.A.03 |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.
Level 1 — Performed Informally
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Threat Management (THR) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with THR domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with THR domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with THR domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Threat management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Threat management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Threat Management (THR) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with THR domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with THR domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A threat management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain THR domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of threat management operations (e.g., threat intelligence solution and bug bounty solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with THR domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to utilize security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Threat Management (THR) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Assessment Objectives
- THR-16_A01 potential indicators associated with insider threats are identified.
- THR-16_A02 security literacy training is provided to system users on recognizing indicators of insider threat.
- THR-16_A03 security literacy training is provided to system users on reporting indicators of insider threat.
- THR-16_A04 security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat is provided to managers and employees.
Evidence Requirements
- E-SAT-04 Recurring User Training
-
Documented evidence of recurring (e.g., annual) user training for security, compliance and/or resilience topics.
Education - E-THR-09 Insider Threat Program
-
Documented evidence of an insider threat program, including the cross-discipline incident handling team and insider threat monitoring.
Threat Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Basic insider threat awareness for all employees
Small
- Insider threat awareness training
- Reporting procedure for suspicious behavior
Medium
- Formal insider threat awareness program
- Reporting hotline or mechanism
Large
- Enterprise insider threat program
- Behavioral monitoring
- UEBA integration
Enterprise
- Enterprise insider threat program (NITTF-aligned)
- Dedicated insider threat team
- UEBA platform (e.g., Varonis, Securonix)
- Anonymous reporting