Insider Threat – Looking at the ‘Whole Person’

In this episode, we explore why understanding the whole person is essential to managing insider threats across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors. Drawing on decades of national security experience, the discussion examines why insider threat remains one of the most complex and misunderstood challenges under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act).We unpack the behaviours, vulnerabilities and coercive pressures that can turn a trusted insider into a threat, the realities of foreign interference, and the importance of moving beyond simplistic assumptions about ‘rights’ and workplace culture. The episode also highlights why a whole-person approach to personnel security is not only effective, but necessary for organisations seeking to build a trusted workforce.This episode is based on an article by Tim Slattery, who served 37 years in Australia’s defence, intelligence and national security community before moving into consulting. Tim now co-leads Pentagram Advisory, with a focus on insider threat mitigation and personnel security across government, industry and critical infrastructure.If you work in protective security, critical infrastructure, risk management or insider threat programs, this episode provides practical insights into one of the most pressing and least understood challenges facing Australia today.