The Hidden Risk Inside Your Business: Why Too Much Data Access Is a Major Security Threat
A recent CyberArk survey found that more than 50% of employees in small-to-medium businesses have access to sensitive data they don’t actually need for their roles.
That’s more than half of your workforce holding digital “keys” they shouldn’t have and it’s a growing blind spot for many organizations.
Having consulted for Fortune 500 companies, we’ve seen how even global enterprises struggle with access control. The difference is, they often have full-time security teams managing it. For most SMBs in the Long Island and Melville area, it’s usually no one’s main responsibility. And that’s where the trouble starts.
Why It Matters
Every unnecessary access point increases your risk of data leaks, compliance violations, and downtime.
The issue isn’t always malicious behavior most of the time, it’s human error.
An employee accidentally shares the wrong document with a client.
A contractor downloads data to their personal drive.
A former staff member still has login credentials months after leaving.
These small oversights can cost thousands in recovery efforts and reputation damage.
According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of an insider-related breach is nearly $5 million, and most start with unnecessary access.
Understanding Insider Risk
“Insider risk” doesn’t just mean disgruntled employees. It includes anyone with legitimate access ie. employees, vendors, or contractors who might unintentionally (or intentionally) cause harm.
Two common causes stand out:
Privilege Creep: When employees gain new system permissions over time but never lose old ones.
Shadow IT: When staff use unauthorized cloud tools or AI platforms without IT oversight.
Both leave data scattered across systems that are difficult to monitor or secure.
How to Reduce the Risk
The solution starts with a principle called Least Privilege Access, granting users only the permissions they need, for only as long as they need them.
Here’s a simple roadmap:
Audit access quarterly. Identify who has access to what.
Revoke stale accounts. Especially for ex-employees and contractors.
Use automated tools. Platforms like Microsoft Entra or Okta help enforce permissions consistently.
Enable “Just-in-Time” access. Provide temporary access instead of permanent credentials.
Educate your team. Make sure employees understand the importance of secure access control.
The Business Case for Proactive Management
Limiting access isn’t about slowing your team down, it’s about protecting your business.
In fact, companies that implement least privilege policies see an average 40% reduction in security incidents, according to a Gartner study.
When your systems are locked down properly, you’re not just avoiding risk. You’re improving efficiency, accountability, and compliance readiness. That’s the foundation of scalable, secure growth.
Final Thoughts
For SMBs, insider risk is often invisible until something goes wrong.
But with proactive management and the right IT governance, it’s completely preventable.
If you’re unsure who has access to what across your business systems, now is the time to find out.
New Edge IT Services helps Long Island businesses assess and strengthen internal security controls, so your data stays in the right hands.
