What does personnel security aim to protect against?

Personnel security primarily focuses on safeguarding sensitive information and assets from unauthorized access or threats from individuals within an organization. This is crucial because employees often have access to systems and data that, if misused or exposed, could result in significant harm to the organization, including data breaches, theft of intellectual property, or other security incidents. By implementing personnel security measures such as background checks, security clearances, and ongoing monitoring, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with insider threats and ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.

The emphasis on protecting against unauthorized access highlights the importance of trust and integrity within the workforce. It ensures that individuals in positions that require access to sensitive information or resources are properly vetted and capable of maintaining the required confidentiality and security standards. This approach helps create a secure environment where sensitive operations can be conducted without the risk of compromise.

While factors like automation, employee dissatisfaction, and regulatory compliance are relevant to organizational security and management, they do not specifically define the core objective of personnel security, which is primarily about controlling access to sensitive information and mitigating the risk of insider threats.