In Part 2 of this series, we met the Vigilante, the results-driven professional focused on their clients and not internal policies. In Part 3, we explored the Mastermind, the underrepresented voice who sees the risks but struggles to be heard.
Now, in Part 4 of The Dark Data Discovery League, it’s time to meet the Sidekick. Sidekicks are IT professionals who have the necessary tools, budget, and technical expertise. They are the ones deploying new systems, securing networks, and ensuring business continuity. However, although they hold significant power, Sidekicks don’t fully understand the data itself (i.e., what it means, how it’s used, or where the true risks lie).
Common Sidekick traits include:
- Possessing tools and budget but lacking insight into the firm’s data reality
- Being asked to “fix” data problems that they can’t fully see or interpret
- Operating with technical proficiency but without the context of legal or compliance needs
- Relying on guidance from others to take meaningful action
The Sidekick isn’t ineffective; far from it. They’re vital for keeping companies operating securely. However, without input from the Mastermind’s lived experience or the Vigilante’s real-world work pressures, they can’t connect technology to the firm’s actual data challenges. For a firm to achieve Zero Dark Data, Sidekicks must work in tandem with Masterminds. When IT’s power is combined with the contextual knowledge of governance and compliance, the results are clarity, control, and alignment throughout the organization.
In our final installment, we’ll meet the Superhero, the aspirational figure that appears when Masterminds and Sidekicks team up and harness Vigilantes customer focus and swiftness to act.