Influence Without Authority: Mike Howard’s Playbook for Modern Security Leaders

Transitioning from the CIA to leading global security at Microsoft is no small leap. Mike Howard shares how he navigated that shift, rebuilt a security program at scale, and learned to influence without authority in the private sector. He reflects on the importance of aligning security with business strategy, building diverse teams to tackle emerging threats, and continuously evolving as a leader. The conversation also explores how security leaders can think more broadly about risk in an increasingly interconnected world. You'll learn: Why influence, not authority, is the most critical skill in corporate security How aligning with business strategy unlocks buy-in and resources The importance of diverse talent in addressing emerging and complex threats Sign up for our monthly newsletter here .

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Influence Without Authority: Mike Howard’s Playbook for Modern Security Leaders is an episode from The Ontic Protective Intelligence Podcast by Ontic.

This episode is 00:24:37 long.

This episode was published on Apr 29, 2026.

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