About Us
The President of the Insider Threat Defense Group (ITDG) is Mr. Jim Henderson, The ITDG was founded in 2009 (ITDG Overview). The ITDG is a U.S. based company that provides our services worldwide.
The ITDG has assisted 700+ organizations (U.S. Government, Private Sector) with developing, implementing, managing, evaluating and optimizing their Insider Risk Management Programs.
Over 1000+ individuals have attended our highly sought after training courses. The ITDG is so confident about our training courses that they comes with a money back training guarantee.
The ITDG exceeds compliance regulations and helps organizations create comprehensive, robust and effective Insider Risk Management Programs. (Compliance Does Not Equal A Robust Security Posture For Insider Risk Management)
The ITDG are experts at building Insider Threat Programs (For U.S. Government Agencies, Defense Contractors) and Insider Risk Management Programs for Fortune 100 / 500 companies and others. We know what the many internal challenges are that an Insider Risk Management Program Manager may face. There are many interconnected cross departmental components, complexities and shared responsibilities that are critical for a comprehensive program. We will provide the core / advanced training and guidance to ensure that anyone managing or supporting the program is universally aligned from an enterprise / holistic perspective to detect, respond to, investigate, prevent and mitigate Insider risks and threats.
INSIDER RISK MANAGEMENT (IRM) PROGRAM TRAINING & CONSULTING SERVICES OFFERED
Conducted Via Classroom / Onsite / Web Based
- Executive Management & Stakeholder Briefings For IRM
- IRM Program Training & Workshops / Table Top Exercises For C-Suite, IRM Program Manager & Working Group Members / Hub
- IRM Program Development, Management, Evaluation & Optimization Training & Related Courses
- Insider Threat Investigations & Analysis Training Course With Legal Guidance From Attorney
- Insider Risk – Threat Vulnerability Assessments
- IRM Program Evaluation, Gap Analysis & Strategic Planning Guidance
- Insider Threat Awareness Training For Employees’
- Insider Threat Detection Tool Gap Analysis & Pre-Purchasing Guidance / Solutions
- Data Exfiltration Assessment (Executing The Malicious Insiders Playbook Of Tactics)
- Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures Inspections (Covert Audio / Video Device Detection)
Employee Continuous Monitoring & Reporting Services (External Data Sources) - Customized IRM Program Training & Consulting Services For Our Clients
UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF INSIDER RISK MANAGEMENT / INSIDER RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
The foundations and comprehensive nature of the training and consulting services offered by the ITDG, come from our 15+ years of extensive experience in the field of Insider Risk Management.
The ITDG unique Insider Risk Management Program Framework is what separates us from other providers of IRM Program training and consulting services.
Insider Risk Management Program 360 Framework & Assessment Methodology (IRMP360FAM™)
Since 2009, the ITDG has been involved in U.S. Government, Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community Agencies Insider Threat Program efforts.
From 2009 to 2011, the ITDG was under contract with the DoD Insider Threat Counterintelligence Group (ITCIG) to provide guidance in various areas of Insider Risk Management. The DoD ITCIG in collaboration with other agencies (NCIX – NCSC, NSA, CIA, NGA, NRO, FBI) were instrumental in developing what is known as National Insider Threat Policy.
The ITDG Insider Risk Management Program (IRMP) Framework was initially developed in 2014 with input from National Insider Threat Special Interest Group members, and individuals managing and supporting Insider Threat Programs – Hubs for the DoD and Intelligence Community Agencies.
The IRMP Framework has undergone several enhancements over the years and provides comprehensive guidance for IRMP Development, Management, Evaluation and Optimization, for both the U.S. Government and private sector businesses. From the inception the IRMP Framework has EXCEEDED compliance regulations. It is continuously being evaluated and updated due to the ever changing Insider Threat landscape. The IRMP Framework is practical, real world, cost effective, proven, unique and holistic..
Since 2014, the IRMP Framework has served as the backbone for our training and consulting services. The ITDG is a pioneer and visionary in the field of Insider Risk Management. In 2014, the ITDG was one of the first companies to offer comprehensive Insider Threat Program Development / Management Training to the U.S. Government, DoD and defense contractors, who were required to implement programs based of off National Insider Threat Policy and NISPOM Conforming Change 2 regulations.
The IRMP Framework encompasses 11 critical domains for Insider Risk Management and an IRMP. Our methodology addresses Insider risks and threats from an enterprise cross functional perspective, and from a non-technical and technical perspective. No one in an organization is positioned to see every single employee risk factor or behavioral indicator. The core components of the framework provide a 1) A solid foundation for an IRMP, 2) Ensure enterprise IRM security controls are in place. 3) Ensure that there is universal alignment and collaboration with key stakeholders and the IRMP, as both of these are critical elements for detecting, responding to, investigating, preventing and mitigating Insider risks and threats.
The IRMP Framework incorporates and EXCEEDS other Insider Risk Management regulations and guidance from the National Insider Threat Task Force Insider Threat Program Standards, Maturity Framework & Best Practices Guides, NIST SP-800-53, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) CERT Common Sense Guide to Mitigating Insider Threats, CMU Insider Threat Program Evaluation (ITPE) Checklists, CISA Insider Risk Mitigation Program Evaluation Guide and others.
The IRMP Framework will enhance the security foundations of the organization to reduce the likelihood of an Insider Threat incident, which can prevent data theft, financial theft, IT sabotage, prevent operational IT disruptions, downtime, loss of productivity, workplace violence and legal exposure.
The ITDG has empowered organizations with the ability to implement, manage and optimize a comprehensive and cost effective IRMP, transforming the Insider Threat problem from a siloed REACTIVE task into a shared PROACTIVE organizational responsibility.
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
The comprehensive nature of our IRMP Training Courses will provide enhanced guidance for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and other non-public sensitive that may not be covered in the CMMC security control requirements.
Some of the CMMC security controls can be mapped to Insider Risk Management (IRM) security controls that are referenced in the ITDG IRMP Framework. Comprehensive IRM requires EXCEEDING CMMC and other compliance requirements. This is why the IRMP Framework incorporates the many tactics that can me used by malicious employees for the purposes of data and information exfiltration.
COMPANY RECOGNITION / CLIENT SATISFACTION
The ITDG Has Provided IRM Program Training & Consulting Services To An Impressive List Of Clients Of 700+ Clients: White House, U.S. Capital Police, U.S. Government Agencies, Department Of Defense (U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force & Space Force, Marines), Defense Contractors, Intelligence Community Agencies (DIA, NSA, NGA), Law Enforcement (DHS, TSA, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, DEA, Police Departments), Critical Infrastructure Providers, Spacecraft Manufacturing & Launch Providers, Universities, Fortune 100 / 500 companies and others; Microsoft, Verizon, Walmart, Home Depot, Nike, Tesla, Dell Technologies, Nationwide Insurance, Discovery Channel, United Parcel Service, FedEx Custom Critical, JetBlue Airways, Delta Airlines, Visa, Capital One Bank, BB&T Bank, HSBC Bank, KeyBank, Goldman Sachs, American Express, Equifax, TransUnion and many more.
The ITDG has a long standing reputation of providing training that greatly surpasses other providers of Insider Threat Program Management and Insider Risk Management Program Training. Our student satisfactions levels are in the exceptional range. We encourage you to read the feedback from our students on our training.
Student / Client Satisfaction & Comments
INSIDER RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EXPERTS
ITDG instructors and consultants are recognized as experts in the field of Insider Risk Management. They have extensive experience helping U.S. Government Agencies and businesses with all aspects in the development, implementation, management, evaluation and optimization of Insider Threat Programs / Insider Risk Management Programs.
Mr. Jim Henderson
Mr. Henderson has 10+ years of IT Security / Network Administration experience, and over 15+ years of experience protecting classified information up to the Top Secret SCI Level, with hands-on experience in the development, implementation and management of; Insider Threat Programs, Insider Risk Management Programs, Cyber Security – Information Systems Security Programs and Information Assurance Programs, for U.S. Government Agencies (Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community Agencies, Defense Contractors, State Governments, large and small businesses.
Mr. Henderson has held numerous high level security positions working for the following government agencies: U.S. Special Operations Command, Central Intelligence Agency, National Media Exploitation Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, DoD Insider Threat Counterintelligence Group, Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency, Department of Energy and Health & Human Services.
Mr. Henderson developed and taught an Information System Security Program Management Training Course to 100 NSA Security Professionals.
Mr. Henderson developed and instructs numerous highly sought after Insider Risk Management Program Training Courses.
Mr. Henderson is the Founder and Chairman of National Insider Threat Special Interest Group (NITSIG), and Founder / Director of the Insider Threat Symposium & Expo (ITS&E). The NITSIG was created in 2014 to function as a National Insider Threat Information Sharing & Analysis Center. The NITSIG Membership is the largest network (1000+) of Insider Risk Management professionals in the U.S. and globally.
Combining NITSG meetings, ITS&E events and Insider Threat Defense Group (ITDG) training courses and consulting services, the NITSIG and ITDG have provided Insider Risk Management guidance and training to 3,400+ individuals.
Mr. Larry Knutsen
Former Senior Intelligence Service Officer With The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
NITSIG Advisory Board Member
Mr. Knutsen retired as a Senior Intelligence Service Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, after 30 years of service. Within the National Clandestine Service, he was responsible for creating the vision, and leading the Agency’s sophisticated Counterintelligence and Security Technical Insider Threat Detection Program, which became recognized as the ‘Gold Standard’ for the U.S. Government Intelligence Community.
Mr. Knutsen lead an interagency team of technical and policy experts in response to unauthorized disclosure from WikiLeaks resulting in the adoption of numerous enhancements to protect sensitive information. Mr. Knutsen has supported both commercial and government customers to enhance their Insider Threat Programs.
Shawn Thompson, Esq.
Insider Threat Investigations – Analysis Training Course Co-Instructor
Mr. Shawn M. Thompson, Esq. is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Insider Risk and National Security. A licensed attorney and former senior federal official, Shawn built and led Google’s Global Insider Risk Management service, driving double-digit revenue growth and pioneering new enterprise offerings. He is the founder of the Insider Threat Management Group and the Insider Risk Advisory Council, which is recognized as a premier collective of Fortune 500 risk executives.
Shawn is a Legal Advisor to the National Insider Threat Special Interest Group (NITSIG). The NITSIG was created in 2014 to function as a National Insider Threat Information Sharing & Analysis Center (ISAC). As of 2025, the NITSIG is the largest network (1000+) of Insider Risk Management professionals in the U.S. and globally.
Shawn’s career includes tenure as a Senior Special Agent and Litigation Counsel at the National Security Agency, where he authored core policies under Executive Order 13587 and received the Director of National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation. At the FBI, he led legal strategy during the prosecution of Russian spies under the Illegals Program and played a critical role in the Snowden and WikiLeaks investigations. As a federal prosecutor, he successfully handled hundreds of criminal cases in high-pressure courtrooms.
Blending deep legal acumen with operational foresight, Shawn has advised companies like Nike, Apple, and Dell on complex investigations, regulatory compliance, and cyber defense. His published books include Insider Risk Management and The Ultimate Guide to Building an Insider Threat Program. These books have become foundational resources across the industry.
A frequent advisor to global enterprises and government agencies, Shawn is sought after for his clarity, integrity, and unmatched expertise at the intersection of law, technology, and national security. He is a trusted force for safeguarding organizations against today’s most pressing internal risks.