The Difference Between Answering for and Owning It

How to Deal With Having Influence Without Authority in Cybersecurity Roles Brandy Harris • January 14, 2026

In some cybersecurity organizations, expertise and visible leadership don't reside in the same role. Usually, the person with the most influence on cybersecurity decisions is the owner, but it does not always work out that way. Fortunately, there are things you can do to change that for your career.

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A technical professional may be relied on to answer the hardest questions, while someone else in the organization carries the title, platform and the authority to make a final decision. This arrangement is not universal, nor is it always intentional, but it develops organically through communication styles, organizational structure and internal politics.

When it is designed well, this dynamic can be effective. When left unexamined, it can quietly stall careers. The ...