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Security by Influence: How PMs Shape Cyber Outcomes Without Authority
Security Leadership Without the Title: How PMs Drive Cyber Results
Khalil Rahim
July 29, 2025
Hello Fellow,
You haven't got the title. You haven't got the authority. But when the breach happens, everyone points the finger at you.
Ring any bells?
This week: How to drive cyber outcomes when you're not the security expert but somehow you're still accountable for security results.
Spoiler: The best security PMs never wait for permission.
What's Covered Today:
Why secure delivery depends more on influence than control
5 silent moments where PMs shape cyber outcomes
The top influence levers you can use without authority
Small actions that build big cyber credibility
Security Influence Beats Security Authority
Most PMs think: "I'm not the security lead, so I'll just escalate risks and crack on."
But that's exactly how silent risks survive delivery.
Security PMs know: You don't need to be the expert to ask the question that changes the outcome.
Here's the truth: Most cyber failures weren't unknown they were unspoken.
You don't need control. You need the courage to interrupt silence.
5 Moments Where PMs Influence Cyber Outcomes
Moment 1: Kickoff Assumptions Everyone's aligned on scope but no one's discussed the threat landscape. Your Move: Ask, "What are we assuming is secure, and who's responsible for that?"
Moment 2: Vendor Selection The procurement team chooses the cheapest option without security assessment. Your Move: Ask for security credentials and suggest a brief risk evaluation.
Moment 3: Integration Planning Vendor says their API is safe. No one verifies. Your Move: Request proof or involve security SME. Your question drives the review.
Moment 4: UAT Planning Happy paths only. No negative security scenarios. Your Move: Suggest at least 2 test cases for misuse or abuse.
Moment 5: Requirement Creep Stakeholders add "quick features" that bypass original security controls. Your Move: Highlight how the addition changes your threat model.
Influence Levers Every PM Can Use
Framing Questions: Instead of "Is it secure?" ask: "If this failed, what would break first?"
Visible Alignment: Involve security in key decisions not just final reviews.
Documentation Triggers: Document security decisions as formal risks, not just casual meeting minutes.
Team Empowerment: Praise people who raise concerns early, not those who fix problems later.
This Week's Influence Action Plan
Choose your influence experiment:
The Security Assumption Audit: Ask: "What security assumptions are we making that we haven't validated?"
The Risk Translation Challenge: Rewrite one technical security concern as a business impact.
The Decision Trail: Document one security decision using: "We decided [X] because [Y], creating risk [Z]."
My Favourite Links on This Topic
Project Manager Influence Without Authority: Practical Insights for Project Managers: Project Manager Influence without Authority - Project Softskills
Influencing without authority: Influencing without authority - Accurately Defining Project Requirements
Final Thought
The difference between secure projects and security disasters? Someone had the courage to ask the uncomfortable question early. Make sure that someone is you.
P.S. Know a PM trying to lead more securely? Forward this issue. Influence is a skill you build, long before you need it.
Coming Next Week: Delivery Drift: Why Projects Lose Their Security Intent Over Time, Or any topic in mind? Do post it :)
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