Malicious insider threats in cybersecurity: A fraud triangle and Machiavellian perspective

Malicious insiders remain among the most persistent cybersecurity concerns, yet existing frameworks often overlook the psychological predispositions that drive unethical intent. This study examines how Machiavellianism, a dark personality trait characterized by manipulation, strategic self-interest, and moral disengagement, influences the elements of the well-established criminological framework of the Fraud Triangle to shape insider threat intention. Using a sample of 768 full-time U.S.-based employees and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the analysis investigates how Machiavellianism affects perceptions of pressure, opportunity, and rationalization. Results reveal that Machiavellianism significantly influences all three constructs, with rationalization emerging as the strongest and most significant pathway to the intention to commit malicious insider behavior. These findings highlight how individuals high in Machiavellianism cognitively justify unethical actions, positioning rationalization as a key psychological mechanism in threat formation. Theoretically, this study extends insider threat literature by demonstrating the relevance of personality traits, specifically Machiavellianism, in shaping key situational perceptions. It advances understanding of the Fraud Triangle by emphasizing justification not merely as a cognitive condition, but as a pivotal mechanism through which individuals justify malicious intent. By integrating a dark personality trait into a situational framework, this study refines our understanding of how insider threats emerge and supports more behaviorally informed approaches to cybersecurity risk modeling.