Motive

A subject is persuaded against their will to access and exfiltrate or destroy sensitive data, or conduct some other act that harms or undermines the target organization. 

A subject may be motivated by personal, financial, or professional interests that directly conflict with their duties and obligations to the organization. This inherent conflict of interest can lead the subject to engage in actions that compromise the organization’s values, objectives, or legal standing.

For instance, a subject who serves as a senior procurement officer at a company may have a financial stake in a vendor company that is bidding for a contract. Despite knowing that the vendor's offer is subpar or overpriced, the subject might influence the decision-making process to favor that vendor, as it directly benefits their personal financial interests. This conflict of interest could lead to awarding the contract in a way that harms the organization, such as incurring higher costs, receiving lower-quality goods or services, or violating anti-corruption regulations.

The presence of a conflict of interest can create a situation where the subject makes decisions that intentionally or unintentionally harm the organization, such as promoting anti-competitive actions, distorting market outcomes, or violating regulatory frameworks. While the subject’s actions may be hidden behind professional duties, the conflict itself acts as the driving force behind unethical or illegal behavior. These infringements can have far-reaching consequences, including legal ramifications, financial penalties, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

A subject, motivated solely by personal curiosity, may take actions that unintentionally cause or risk harm to an organization. For example, they might install unauthorized software to experiment with its features or explore a network-attached storage (NAS) device without proper authorization.

A subject carries out covert actions, such as the collection of confidential or classified information, for the strategic advantage of a nation-state.

A subject accesses and exfiltrates or destroys sensitive data or otherwise contravenes internal policies in an attempt to prevent professional reprisals against them or other persons.

A subject accesses and exfiltrates or destroys sensitive data or otherwise contravenes internal policies with the aim to successfully defeat controls in order to demonstrate ability and/or skill.

The subject has no threatening motive and is not reckless in their actions. The infringement is a result of an honest mistake made by the subject.

A subject is motivated by ideology to access, destroy, or exfiltrate data, or otherwise violate internal policies in pursuit of their ideological goals.

Ideology is a structured system of ideas, values, and beliefs that shapes an individual’s understanding of the world and informs their actions. It often encompasses political, economic, and social perspectives, providing a comprehensive and sometimes rigid framework for interpreting events and guiding decision-making.

Individuals driven by ideology often perceive their actions as morally justified within the context of their belief system. Unlike those motivated by personal grievances or personal gain, ideological insiders act in service of a cause they deem greater than themselves.

A subject joins the organisation with the pre-formed intent to gain access to sensitive data or otherwise contravene internal policies.

A subject is unaware that they are prohibited from accessing and exfiltrating or destroying sensitive data or otherwise contravening internal policies.

A subject leaving the organisation with access to sensitive data with the intent to access and exfiltrate sensitive data or otherwise contravene internal policies.

A subject accesses and exfiltrates of destroys sensitive data or otherwise contravenes internal policies as a result of motives not grounded in reality.

A subject moves within the organisation to a different team with the intent to gain access to sensitive data or to circumvent controls or to otherwise contravene internal policies.

A subject seeks personal gain from another by accessing and exfiltrating or destroying sensitive data or otherwise contravening internal policies.

A subject is motivated by their political or philosophical beliefs to access and destroy or exfiltrate sensitive data or otherwise contravene internal policies.

The subject does not have a threatening motive. However, the subject under takes actions without due care and attention to the outcome, which causes an infringement.

A subject is motivated by resentment towards the organisation to access and exfiltrate or destroy data or otherwise contravene internal policies. 

A subject, driven by excessive pride in their nation, country, or region, undertakes actions that harm an organization. These actions are self-initiated and conducted unilaterally, without instruction or influence from legitimate authorities within their nation, country, region, or any other third party. The subject often perceives their actions as acts of loyalty or as benefiting their homeland.

While the subject may believe they are acting in their nation’s best interest, their actions frequently lack strategic foresight and can result in significant damage to the organization.

A subject accesses and exfiltrates or destroys sensitive data or otherwise contravenes internal policies with the aim to be caught and penalised.

A subject is recruited by a third party to access and exfiltrate or destroy sensitive data or otherwise contravene internal policies for in exchange for a personal gain.