Personality and situational predictors of insider threat: a vignette study

Insider threats pose a significant security risk, yet personality traits are rarely incorporated into detection and prevention efforts. This study offers the first systematic examination of how Dark Tetrad (i.e. Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) and Big Five personality traits, together with situational motivators, predict the propensity to engage in three types of insider attacks.

Participants (N = 470; 71% female; age M = 35.94, SD = 12.70) completed measures of the Dark Tetrad (SD3, SSIS) and Big Five domains and facets (BFI-2), then responded to three counterbalanced vignettes depicting National Security Espionage, Information Technology Sabotage, and Fraud. For each vignette, participants rated their likelihood of engaging in the behaviour under baseline conditions and when (a) aggrieved, (b) facing termination, or (c) able to secure a financial gain.

Participants showed greater willingness to engage in fraud and information technology sabotage if they felt aggrieved or anticipated termination. Machiavellianism (r = .49), psychopathy (r = .50), and sadism (r = .53) showed strong positive associations with insider-attack propensity. Agreeableness (r = -.50) and conscientiousness (r = -.37) were the strongest Big Five predictors.

The findings indicate that antagonistic and exploitative personality traits, combined with situational pressures, meaningfully shape intentions to engage in insider misconduct.