1) The source of the IT threat in this scenario is a **malicious insider**.
A malicious insider refers to an individual who has authorized access to an organization's systems or data and intentionally misuses that access for personal gain or to cause harm.
2) The description of the threat to the data scenario is **intended release of sensitive data or the access of sensitive data by unauthorized individuals**.
In this scenario, the IT employee intentionally shares data with an unauthorized individual (the friend from the insurance company) who does not have the legitimate need or authority to access the data. The act of sending the data is deliberate, making it an intended release.
3) The actions of the IT employee should be characterized as **illegal and unethical**.
The IT employee is violating the trust placed in them by the police department and misusing their position to disclose sensitive data to an unauthorized individual. Such actions are illegal because they involve the unauthorized disclosure of data, which could potentially violate data protection and privacy laws. Moreover, it is unethical because the employee is breaching confidentiality, compromising the privacy of individuals who have received "no insurance" tickets, and potentially enabling the insurance company to use the data for improper purposes.
It's important to note that engaging in such activities can have severe consequences, both legally and professionally, as it violates the principles of integrity, privacy, and data protection. Organizations should have robust security measures in place to prevent and detect such unauthorized access and data breaches.