Why watermarking is the future of insider risk management.
Protecting sensitive information is no longer just about keeping external hackers out—it’s about ensuring that trusted insiders don’t accidentally or intentionally leak confidential data. The numbers speak for themselves: according to Ponemon’s 2025 Cost of Insider Risks Global Report, 54% of organizations are leveraging AI to manage insider risks, with 51% stating that AI and machine learning are essential for detecting and preventing insider threats.
One of the most effective ways to combat insider risk is to embed accountability directly into the data itself. That’s why EchoMark is the pioneer in AI-powered forensic watermarking—technology that ensures every file, email, or sensitive communication is uniquely marked and traceable. In a feature by Fast Company, Why this cybersecurity startup wants to watermark everything, Jared Keller highlighted EchoMark’s vision to "watermark the world," and it’s clear that the need for proactive insider risk management has never been greater.
Insider risks are not just a hypothetical problem—they’re an escalating financial and operational burden for organizations. The Ponemon Report found that the primary drivers for adopting AI in insider risk programs include a reduction in investigation times, improved behavioral insights, and lowered skill requirements for insider risk analysts.
Yet, despite these advancements, organizations still struggle with visibility into how sensitive data moves across digital communication platforms, and who has accessed shared information. Traditional approaches, such as access controls and monitoring tools, are reactive and often fail to prevent data from being shared outside authorized channels. The ‘adequately inconvenient’ stance on securing information is often enough to deter some from breaking protocol, but can also motivate other more determined individuals to find a work-around. And the root problem remains: how do you trust insiders to effectively do their jobs while maintaining accountability and responsible secure sharing practices?
This is where EchoMark changes the game, with forensic watermarking technology to seamlessly embed an imperceptible yet unique identifier into sensitive data—whether it’s a PowerPoint deck, a PDF, an email, or an image. If that data is ever leaked or misused, organizations can trace the breach back to its source. Unlike conventional tracking methods, this approach ensures that security is baked into the content itself, no matter where it goes.
Security teams often face a delicate balancing act: how do you implement robust insider threat controls without violating employee privacy? According to the Ponemon Report, nearly 48% of organizations have mechanisms in place to ensure AI-driven security measures don’t contribute to bias or overreach. Transparency is key—52% of companies actively communicate their AI security and monitoring policies to employees.
At EchoMark, we align with these best practices by providing organizations with full control over how watermarking is implemented, ensuring that security measures remain ethical, transparent, and non-intrusive. Employees don’t need to change how they work. Watermarking happens automatically, preserving workflows while reinforcing a culture of accountability.
There’s a psychological component to building accountability and good data stewardship into the workplace, as mentioned in the FastCompany article, referencing Troy Batterberry’s experience working with the Department of Defense (DoD), "signing your name on the top of a document indicates you're the custodian of that information. Psychologically, it changes how you think about protecting that information."
With $10 million in seed funding, EchoMark is on a mission to set a new standard for insider risk management. As AI continues to reshape the cybersecurity landscape, forensic watermarking will play a critical role in ensuring that organizations can track and protect their most valuable digital assets—without slowing down business.
To learn more about how EchoMark is leading the future of data security, check out Fast Company’s feature on our mission to watermark everything: Read the full article here.
As the insider threat landscape changes, we are ensuring businesses stay ahead of it. EchoMark's commitment to revolutionizing digital security is reflected in its dedication to making forensic watermarking accessible and effective for all. As cyber threats evolve, EchoMark's technology offers a proactive approach to content protection, empowering organizations to maintain control over their valuable information—by embedding security into the data itself, organizations move from reactive crisis management to proactive threat prevention.
Join us in fortifying private information—explore how EchoMark's watermarking solutions can safeguard your organization's data today.
