Zero Day (2025): Trust, Insider Threats, and the Cost of Misinformation

Insider threats and risks continue to make headlines as a major concern in cybersecurity, and Netflix’s Zero Day (2025) is no exception. The show explores the critical role that trust—both internal and external—plays in securing systems and networks. Set against the backdrop of a nationwide cyber attack on the United States, the storyline unfolds with devastating consequences across sectors like transportation, finance, healthcare, and SCADA networks. At the heart of the attack lies the concept of trust—its breakdown leading to chaos and vulnerability.

A Polarized Landscape: Reactive, Not Proactive

Zero Day is set in a polarized political climate where trust within the U.S. government is in short supply. As the nation faces a cyber attack, the President turns to former non-partisan President Mullen, pulling him out of retirement to head the “Zero Day Commission.” Given broad authority by Congress, Mullen is tasked with investigating the attack, uncovering who was behind it, and why it happened.

The investigation reveals a tangled web of vulnerabilities, many of which would resonate with any insider risk management team. While the series incorporates some elements of technological wizardry, it also underscores a crucial point: the breakdown of trust has far-reaching consequences—both digitally and physically.

Trust and Misinformation: The Cost of a Broken System

One of the key themes in Zero Day is the idea that “the mechanism for which we determine truth is collectively broken.” The series portrays a world where misinformation and misdirection play pivotal roles in shaping narratives. As President Mullen assembles a team of trusted individuals to assist him, the team’s ability to trust each other is tested as they dissect the available data.

The importance of trust in data integrity becomes evident as the investigation progresses. The emergence of deepfakes introduces a new layer of complexity, with insiders and other actors leveraging these tools to manipulate the narrative. In the digital age, this underscores the vulnerability created when individuals are coerced into breaking trust—whether intentionally or under duress.

Insider Threats: A Familiar Scenario for Insider Risk Teams

As the investigation unfolds, insider threat management teams will recognize several scenarios familiar to them, such as departing employees stealing intellectual property or nation state actors exploiting insiders to further their agenda. These themes are central to the Zero Day storyline, where trust is consistently betrayed for personal or political gain.

Despite the critical role of insider risk management, Zero Day leaves out direct references to an insider risk management program. However, the story highlights the dangers of data theft and manipulation, as well as the importance of protecting sensitive information from insiders—an essential element of every cybersecurity strategy.

The Dangers of Misinformation

The political intrigue and maneuvering in Zero Day are driven by the manipulation of information. Powerful figures use social media networks to spread misinformation, causing widespread confusion and distrust. The series demonstrates how a well-placed lie, repeated often enough, can alter public perception and impede an investigation.

As misinformation spreads, the investigation’s credibility is constantly under siege. The fight to counter these false narratives becomes an uphill battle, underscoring the necessity of transparency and truth in maintaining trust, both in politics and in cybersecurity.

The Role of Third-Party Access and the Destructive Power of Trust Violations

A key plot element in Zero Day is the involvement of a powerful CEO who controls a conglomerate with significant stakes in social networks, DNA testing, and other industries. This CEO plays a crucial role in the cyber attack, with third-party apps providing the access needed to compromise critical systems. The ability of these apps to reach endpoint devices demonstrates how easily trust can be exploited when access points are not properly secured.

The CEO also deals with insiders who betray trust or simply turn a blind eye, further emphasizing the impact of insider threats. This reinforces the need for robust insider risk management strategies, especially in organizations relying on third-party vendors and external software.

Analog vs. Digital: The Old and New Methods of Espionage

The Zero Day attackers take a page from history by using analog communication methods to avoid detection. Eschewing digital communication like emails and texts, the perpetrators revert to shortwave radios and citizen band frequencies to communicate in code. This old-school approach recalls Cold War-era tactics, where espionage and resistance movements used similar methods to avoid surveillance.

The attackers’ reliance on analog methods further emphasizes how trust can be undermined, not just through digital means, but through traditional, less detectable channels.

Trust and Relationships: The Human Element

As the investigation unfolds, the characters’ relationships are tested. Colleagues begin to question each other’s motives and actions, and friends—whether casual or intimate—find their trust strained to the breaking point. In a world where truth is fractured and devices tell different stories than actions, the bonds of trust can easily be shattered.

This human element is at the core of Zero Day, showcasing how the loss of trust between individuals can have devastating consequences on a broader scale.

A Material Event: The Need for Integrity in Investigations

The Zero Day Commission is tasked with producing a final report on the attack, and throughout the investigation, the pressure to “spin” the facts in a way that serves particular agendas is palpable. A key quote from the show, “The President’s office discourages candor,” highlights the challenge of maintaining integrity in the face of external pressures.

The series emphasizes the importance of truth in countering misinformation, and how vital it is for those in positions of authority to act with integrity. The creators of Zero Day also explore the theme of what people in positions of power are willing to do when they believe they are saving the country—a compelling question that ties back to the broader issue of trust in leadership.

Conclusion: The Tangled Web of Trust

As you watch Zero Day, remember the timeless words of Sir Walter Scott from 1808: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” The series offers a poignant reminder of the importance of trust in the digital age and how insider risk management can play a critical role in preventing disasters. The constant interplay between deception, trust, and cybersecurity challenges offers important lessons for security leaders everywhere.

New research from the Ponemon Institute shows that insider risk management is helping companies to detect and mitigate data breaches before they occur. Those with an insider risk management program save time, money, data, and brand reputation that would otherwise be lost in a breach. For actionable insights on how to proactively prevent insider threats while maintaining a trusted workforce, download the report.