A thesis by Christopher Capone, published by the Naval Postgraduate School, is drawing attention to a growing national security concern: the vulnerability of state and local governments to insider threats and foreign malign influence.
The thesis explores the growing insider threat activity and foreign malign influence targeting state and local governments across the United States. While insider threat detection and mitigation efforts have traditionally centered on federal institutions, subnational governments remain critically underprepared, often lacking the training and awareness to detect or prevent infiltration. As a result, they have become increasingly attractive, low-risk, high-reward targets for foreign adversaries.
The analysis uses a qualitative research design to examine real-world cases, current strategies, and in-depth interviews with senior leaders from the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau. The findings underscore an urgent need to reframe how insider threats are understood by recalibrating insider threat policies, improving intergovernmental trust, and launching localized awareness campaigns. The piece concludes by recommending practical steps to harden the soft underbelly of U.S. national security—state and local agencies—through education, liaison development, and information-sharing mechanisms. These gaps can be closed with decisive actions, and the front lines of American governance can be made resilient to the evolving tactics of foreign malign influence.
Read the full thesis here.
