Councils
Where Expertise Meets Action.
INSA’s policy councils and subcommittees bring together professionals from government, industry, and academia to address the intelligence and national security community’s most pressing challenges. Councils do not just talk about issues; they help shape them.
As a member, councils offer:
- Opportunities to shape policies that strengthen the IC's effectiveness and efficiency
- Thought leadership through white papers, op-eds, podcasts, and panel discussions
- Collaboration with peers and government partners in trusted, solution-focused forums
- Access to government and academic leaders who share challenges, priorities, and opportunities for collaboration
Get Involved!
Council service ensures that INSA members play an active part in advancing policy ideas and solutions that support the U.S. intelligence and national security mission.
Thought Leadership
White Papers & Op-Eds
Managing Insider Risk During M&As
In an April 2023 white paper, Managing Insider Risk During Mergers and Acquisitions, INSA argues that despite potential catastrophic consequences, many corporations do not prioritize personnel risk indicators or insider risk practices during the Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) process. As the rate of M&A deals continues to increase in the post-pandemic environment, it is critical for companies to consider the potential to onboard risk through this threat vector.
Developed by INSA’s Insider Threat Subcommittee, the paper finds that corporate M&As create significant security risks and vulnerabilities for both the buyer and seller. Large amounts of sensitive information are exchanged outside each company’s normal security construct; changes in corporate culture and a climate of uncertainty can exacerbate employee anxieties; and the integration of new technologies may undermine a company’s network defenses. Yet typically, only c-suite executives and board members are involved in potential merger discussions.
The paper provides an overview of common insider threat risks, provides case studies of M&As impacted by insider threats, and offers recommendations on the most impactful actions companies can take to reduce risks during the M&A process.
For additional information about INSA’s policy councils, contact membership@insaonline.org.
Podcasts
Managing Insider Risk During M&As
In an April 2023 white paper, Managing Insider Risk During Mergers and Acquisitions, INSA argues that despite potential catastrophic consequences, many corporations do not prioritize personnel risk indicators or insider risk practices during the Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) process. As the rate of M&A deals continues to increase in the post-pandemic environment, it is critical for companies to consider the potential to onboard risk through this threat vector.
Developed by INSA’s Insider Threat Subcommittee, the paper finds that corporate M&As create significant security risks and vulnerabilities for both the buyer and seller. Large amounts of sensitive information are exchanged outside each company’s normal security construct; changes in corporate culture and a climate of uncertainty can exacerbate employee anxieties; and the integration of new technologies may undermine a company’s network defenses. Yet typically, only c-suite executives and board members are involved in potential merger discussions.
The paper provides an overview of common insider threat risks, provides case studies of M&As impacted by insider threats, and offers recommendations on the most impactful actions companies can take to reduce risks during the M&A process.
For additional information about INSA’s policy councils, contact membership@insaonline.org.
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