#139 - Insider Threat Operations (with Jim Lawler)

On this episode we bring on CIA Veteran James "Jim" Lawler to discuss how spies are recruited, how individuals are turned, and what makes them vulnerable to being turned. Learn what managers and executives can and should know about their people to help them better understand who's at risk and the types of programs that executives can put into place to stop insider threats.

Special Thanks to our Two Sponsors:

1) Prelude: https://www.preludesecurity.com/

2) Risk3Sixty is cyber security technology and consulting firm that works with high-growth technology firms to help leaders build, manage and certify security, privacy, and compliance programs. They publish weekly thought leadership, webinars, and downloadable resources like budget and assessment templates. Learn more at: https://risk3sixty.com/?utm_source=cisotradecraft&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2023-ct&utm_term=1week&utm_content=sponser

Be sure to read Jim's books

1) Living Lies: A Novel of the Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program https://amzn.to/3Y5x2Sc

2) In the Twinkling of an Eye: A Novel of Biological Terror and Espionage https://amzn.to/43EkvpE 

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:24 The Importance of Recruiting Insiders
• 08:06 How to Be a Successful Case Officer
• 11:09 The Importance of Identifying Vulnerabilities in Insider Threats
• 14:00 The Cockamamie Recruitment Pitch Scheme
• 18:50 The Importance of Rationality in Espionage
• 21:10 The Complex Motivations for Espionage
• 23:49 The Key to Stress in a Target Life
• 27:34 The Importance of Listening to Your People
• 30:02 How to Be a Good Leader
• 35:02 The Metaphysics of Recruitment
• 37:31 How to Firewall a Threat to Your Organization
• 41:00 Living Lies
• 44:49 How to Be a Better Writer
• 49:31 How to Be a Better Threat Manager