In March 2024, the on-duty crew of a cutter stopped a shipmate who was boarding with a firearm and several magazines of ammunition. That intervention happened because of intelligence gathered by the Coast Guard Insider Threat Program (CGITP), which alerted the unit so the individual could be apprehended.
It’s easy to imagine how differently this might have turned out if no one had been paying attention. And with September recognized as National Insider Threat Awareness Month (NITAM), it’s a timely reminder that protecting the Coast Guard isn’t just about guarding against outside threats. It also means staying alert to risks that come from within—and speaking up when something seems off.
“We don’t get a lot of ground-level reporting from the field,” said Jared Quance, program manager of the 23-person CGITP. “We’d like to see more.”
What is an insider threat?
An insider threat is anyone with access to Coast Guard people, facilities, systems, or information who misuses that access—intentionally or not—to cause harm. That could mean leaking sensitive data, sabotaging equipment, harassing shipmates, or committing violence.
How the Coast Guard responds
CGITP was created in 2015 to find and stop these threats before they cause damage. The program does this by:
- Training members to spot concerning behavior
- Giving supervisors and peers tools to step in early
- Working with partners like DHS, CISA, and the Secret Service
Pictured above is the gun and ammunition that an on-duty crew confiscated from a Coast Guard member as he boarded a cutter in March 2024. The Coast Guard Insider Threat Program (CGITP) alerted the unit based on intelligence it had gathered so the man could be apprehended. He has since been discharged from the service.
At its core is one rule: “See it, hear it, read it—report it.”
What you can do
Insider threats cost lives, money, and trust. The Fort Hood shooting in 2009 left 13 people dead. Military suicides continue to take a heavy toll on service members and families. “There is no courage in ignoring that someone else is hurting or being hurt,” Quance says.
Instead, he encourages everyone in the workforce to:
- Stay alert to changes in behavior of the people you work with, whether it’s signs of distress, aggressive rhetoric, or unusual handling of sensitive information.
- Speak up. Reporting concerns early helps prevent tragedy. You can talk to your Command, a security officer, or report directly to the CGITP here. Reports can be anonymous.
- Support your shipmates. Sometimes what looks like a security risk is really a cry for help.
This year’s theme: Partnering for progress
NITAM 2025 emphasizes collaboration across the force. By sharing information, prioritizing well-being, and building a culture where everyone feels empowered to protect our people and mission. Together, we can strengthen the Coast Guard “shield” against insider threats. To learn more, check out the CGITP site or explore resources and events at NITAM 2025.
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