A junior developer pointed out a catastrophic security flaw in the new payment system that the tech lead had approved, risking millions for the company.
The issue stemmed not from the code itself but from the tech lead's sleep deprivation due to family responsibilities.
After months of inadequate sleep, the tech lead's cognitive function deteriorated, leading to missed vulnerabilities in the code and compromised system design abilities.
The incident highlights the impact of sleep deprivation on work performance and the importance of addressing personal well-being in professional roles.