The Power of Unsupervised Machine Learning in Insider Threat Applications

Jul 3, 2023

In today’s digital age, businesses face a significant risk from insider threats. These threats can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Companies must adopt effective measures to identify and prevent malicious activity from insiders. Unsupervised machine learning is a powerful tool that has emerged in recent years to combat this threat. By leveraging unsupervised machine learning capabilities, businesses can gain valuable insights into communication networks and activities, enabling them to identify and mitigate potential insider threats proactively.

Understanding Unsupervised Machine Learning

Unsupervised machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on finding patterns and structures in data without needing labelled examples. Unlike supervised machine learning, which requires labelled data to train models, unsupervised machine learning algorithms can discover hidden relationships and structures in data independently. This makes it particularly well-suited for analysing communication networks and identifying potential insider threats.

The Role of Fact360 in Insider Threat Analysis

Fact360 is a leading software provider specialising in insider threat analysis for businesses. They have developed an innovative approach to analysing communication networks using unsupervised machine learning technology. By analysing the flow of information within organisations, Fact360 can detect unusual activities or behaviours that may indicate an insider threat. Their cutting-edge technology enables them to identify patterns and trends that may suggest malicious intent, allowing organisations to intervene and prevent further harm.

Identifying Anomalies in Communication Networks

One of the key advantages of unsupervised machine learning in insider threat analysis is its ability to identify anomalies in communication networks. By analysing the communication patterns within an organisation, Fact360 can identify subtle behavioural changes that may indicate potential insider threats. For example, if an employee suddenly starts accessing sensitive information that they should not have access to, or if there is a pattern of behaviour that suggests they may be compromising the organisation’s security, Fact360 can flag these anomalies and alert the relevant personnel.

Leveraging Big Data for Insider Threat Analysis

Insider threat analysis often requires analysing large volumes of data, including emails, chat logs, and other digital communications. This is where the power of unsupervised machine learning truly shines. Fact360’s technology can process and analyse massive amounts of data quickly and efficiently, allowing organisations to uncover critical insights that may otherwise go unnoticed. By leveraging big data and unsupervised machine learning, businesses can stay one step ahead of potential insider threats.

Customised Filters and Performance Criteria

Fact360’s software also offers the flexibility to customise filters and performance criteria based on an organisation’s specific needs. This means that businesses can tailor the analysis to focus on the most relevant aspects of their communication networks. By defining specific search parameters, organisations can uncover the information that is most critical to identifying and mitigating insider threats. This level of customisation ensures that businesses can make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect their assets.

Case Study: Fact360 in Action

To illustrate the power of Fact360’s unsupervised machine-learning technology, let’s explore a real-world case study. Oculus Financial Intelligence, a financial intelligence service provider, deployed Fact360 to investigate a potential financial markets fraud. The case involved a massive amount of unstructured data, including emails, electronic communications, and audio conversations spanning over a decade. Traditional eDiscovery platforms were unfit for purpose, as they could only store and catalogue the data without providing any meaningful analysis.

Using unsupervised machine learning algorithms, Fact360 ingested the data and, within a few weeks, identified key individuals, events, and documents related to the fraud. The platform’s analytical dashboards allowed investigators to interrogate the data, uncovering crucial insights to build their cases. By reverse-engineering searches based on known events and documents, investigators could find additional evidence that matched the criteria. This streamlined the investigation process and significantly reduced eDiscovery costs.

The Benefits of Fact360’s Technology

The benefits of Fact360’s unsupervised machine learning technology in insider threat analysis are numerous. Here are some key advantages:

  1. Early Warning System: Fact360 acts as an early warning system, alerting users to potential unknown-unknown risks as they arise. This allows organisations to take proactive measures and prevent insider threats before they escalate.
  2. Uncovering Admissible Evidence: By analysing communication networks and activities, Fact360 can uncover admissible evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. This strengthens an organisation’s ability to pursue legal action against malicious insiders.
  3. Cost-Effective Analysis: Fact360’s technology streamlines the analysis process, reducing the time and resources required to uncover critical insights. This translates to cost savings for businesses, particularly in eDiscovery and investigation processes.
  4. Fact-Based Decision Making: By providing fact-based insights into communication networks, Fact360 enables organisations to make data-driven decisions. This helps shape strategic directions, mitigate risks, and protect assets effectively.

Unsupervised machine learning transforms how businesses analyse communication networks and detect insider threats. Fact360’s innovative approach, leveraging cutting-edge technology, helps organisations identify subtle behavioural changes, uncover anomalies, and analyse massive amounts of data efficiently. By harnessing the power of unsupervised machine learning, businesses can proactively protect themselves from the harm caused by malicious insiders. Fact360’s commitment to being a leader in the field of insider threat analysis makes them a valuable partner in mitigating this critical risk.