October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at HANZA, we are taking the opportunity to highlight a person behind the systems that keep our cybersecurity in top condition – Kristian Teiter, Head of Information Security, who has spent the last decade building resilience across our global organization. Outside of work, Kristian also holds the title of King of Torgu – Kingdom formed by the people of a small former municipality on the Estonian island of Saaremaa – a role that reflects his connection to community and tradition.
From Mapping to Cybersecurity
Kristian’s journey into cybersecurity is as structured as the systems he builds. With a background in geographic information systems and a master’s degree in geography and in IT management, he transitioned into IT management before taking on the challenge of developing HANZA’s information security system from scratch.
“It took three years,” Kristian says, “but now our sites are externally certified. That is something I am really proud of.”
Security is everyone’s business
Kristian’s work spans audits, incident response, policy development, and close collaboration with IT, HR, and production teams. Whether it is locking doors, managing user accounts, or reviewing new software, he ensures that security is embedded in everyday operations.
“Cybersecurity is not just about firewalls and passwords, it is about protecting everything that makes HANZA run smoothly, from customer data to production systems.”
The biggest challenge? Awareness.
“Cybercriminals are getting smarter, using AI and targeting production environments,” Kristian explains. “One click on a phishing email can open the gate to the castle.”
His philosophy is simple: security is a shared responsibility. He encourages everyone to take small steps: lock your screen, think before you click, and always check with the security team before installing new tools.
A calm mind in a critical role
Outside of work, Kristian enjoys playing bridge, working out at the gym, and sailing when he gets the chance. He prefers tea over coffee and brings a calm, methodical approach to a role that demands both precision and foresight.
“Whatever you are doing do not forget information security,” Kristian reminds us.
You are also known as the King of Torgu. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, The Kingdom of Torgu was formed in the early 1990s as a humorous protest when the area was accidentally left off the map during Estonia’s independence. People of Torgu asked my father, who was at that time, the member of Estonian Parliament Royalist Party to become their King. Over time, Kingdom became strong part of the local identity. Couple of years ago I had to take over the role of the King, actually I won the election. The role is mostly ceremonial, and I have embraced it by supporting community projects and promoting Kingdom in Estonia and abroad. It is a fun way to stay connected to my “royal” heritage – and a reminder that leadership can take many forms.
Kristian Teiter at his coronation in 2023 as Kristian I, crowned King of Torgu. Photo by Andrus Lei.