What The Traitors Can Teach Us About Cybersecurity, Trust and Team Dynamics
If you’ve been anything like me and my family over the last few weeks, you’ve probably been glued to The Traitors. It’s gripping, full of twists and strategy, and makes for great TV – but it’s also a fascinating study in how people behave under pressure, who they choose to trust and how quickly alliances can shift.
As a CTO, I can’t help but see the parallels between that castle full of suspicion and the world of cybersecurity and business leadership. The way trust is built, tested and sometimes betrayed on the show mirrors what happens every day in organisations when it comes to systems, people and data.
1. Not Everyone Around the Table Has Good Intentions
In The Traitors, players have to work together to build the prize fund while a few secretly plot to sabotage it. In business, the “traitors” are rarely so obvious – they might be malicious insiders, phishing emails disguised as suppliers or even third-party integrations that open up vulnerabilities.
In Business:
Don’t assume everyone in your digital ecosystem has good intentions. Insider threats and supply-chain compromises are among the biggest risks facing organisations today. Apply least-privilege access, vet suppliers carefully and regularly audit who has control over your systems and data.
2. Overconfidence Can Be Dangerous
Contestants who believe they can “read people” often make the worst calls. The same goes for organisations that think they’d “spot something wrong straight away”. Spoiler: you probably wouldn’t.
In Business:
Cybercriminals thrive on overconfidence. Regular penetration testing, phishing simulations and security audits keep teams alert and systems protected. Confidence without verification isn’t strength — it’s a vulnerability.
3. Verification Matters More Than Trust
On the show, players constantly ask, “Can I trust you?” but the smartest ones check stories, look for inconsistencies and test behaviours before making a call.
In Business::
In cybersecurity, “trust but verify” should be the guiding principle. That’s why we have multi-factor authentication, change-control procedures and zero-trust models. These aren’t about suspicion; they’re about resilience.
4. Poor Communication Breeds Chaos
When the Faithfuls stop communicating, the paranoia wins. Miscommunication fuels fear and confusion – something every IT department has seen play out during incidents or change projects.
In Business:
Create a culture where people feel safe to speak up. If someone clicks on a suspicious link or spots an issue, they should feel comfortable reporting it immediately. A “no-blame” environment helps problems get fixed faster and prevents small mistakes from becoming big breaches.
5. The Game Changes Constantly, So Should Your Strategy
Every round in The Traitors brings a new twist. The same applies to cybersecurity. Threats evolve, tools become outdated and yesterday’s defences might not work today.
In Business:
Security isn’t a one-time setup. It’s an ongoing process of adaptation and review. Keep systems patched, revisit access controls and regularly test your response plans. A strong CTO leads with foresight, not fear.
6. The Best Teams Balance Trust and Caution
The players who make it furthest combine emotional intelligence with critical thinking. They know when to trust and when to test.
In Business:
In business, build that same balance. Give your team confidence and autonomy but support it with the right technical and procedural safeguards. Mistakes will happen – what matters is having systems that catch them early.
Final Thoughts
The Traitors might be a game, but it captures something real about human nature and risk. Trust is powerful, but blind trust is dangerous.
For any leader the lessons are clear:
- Assume compromise is possible and prepare for it.
- Build open communication and a “no-blame” culture around security.
- Make verification part of your everyday process, not an afterthought.
Because in business, just like in The Traitors, success often depends on one thing: knowing who – and what – you can really trust.
