“What happens to Heroes?”  🎬 Episode 9 – When it all falls apart, some stand up for others by Didier Annet

The director, the silent hero!

Who are the Heroes ?

This installment, number nine, explores the rapid transformation that occurs when ordinary employees suddenly become heroes, taking on rescue roles following a devastating cyberattack.

What I will call the “Heroes”

“I had to stay calm. Show that everything was okay. Even if, inside, it was chaos.”

Excerpts from Interviews with Heroes

In a cyber-attack, we often think of the hackers, the IT teams, the cybersecurity experts. But all too often, we forget the director. The person who, in a matter of seconds, goes from strategic leader to crisis manager.

The Director: One of the silent Hero of Cyber Crises

When a cyberattack occurs, our attention is quickly directed towards the usual suspects: the hackers, the IT teams and the cybersecurity experts. They are the visible players in the unfolding drama. However, we often overlook the role of another important figure: the director.

This individual, usually centered around long-term planning and goals, finds themselves in a sudden whirlwind. They have to quickly shift gears, transforming from a strategic planner into an emergency manager. Now, their responsibilities go beyond making choices; they become accountable for the very existence of the company.

An Invisible, Yet Crushing Pressure

The job of a leader during a digital emergency is multifaceted and frequently misinterpreted. They must make critical judgments with restricted knowledge, under immense time constraints. They need to defend workers, calm clients, and preserve the organization’s standing—all while managing their own anxiety and confusion.

And more often than not, they carry this burden alone. During times of turmoil, people turn to them for guidance, solutions, and resilience. However, who is there to support the director? Who helps them manage the emotional and psychological strain?

A Neglected Position

Why don’t we discuss this more often? It’s because secrecy is often considered a virtue in crisis management. Recognition usually goes to the technical teams, those on the front lines. Once the crisis is over, the world moves on, expecting the director to do the same.

Sometimes, the director is even held accountable. We tend to forget that they were trying to salvage what they could, acting with courage under intense pressure and in the dark.

It’s Time to Shift the Narrative

The director is more than a mere decider; they are a beacon of strength, a shield, and a guide who leads with courage in the face of uncertainty. They absorb the chaos so others don’t have to. They carry the weight so the organization can move forward.

This role deserves acknowledgment. It deserves backing. Because behind every company that bounces back from a cyber-attack, there is usually a director who stands strong—quietly, courageously, and without fanfare.

🎯 It’s time to recognize that the director, too, is a hero.

A hero in the shadows. A hero who doubts, who suffers, but who acts.

About the Author

Didier Annet is an Operational & Data Resilience Specialist and a Certified Professional Coach dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing digital landscape.

Find him on LinkedIn: Didier Annet