The trick seems to be having sufficiently uninformed people in all positions that might get to write that kind of response. No need to feign ignorance when you can have the real thing.
Qualification is no hindrance to being or of the loop though, deliberately or not. It just makes it more embarrassing. Ignorance itself is still easily attainable, just "shoot the messenger" (this will make you seem tough and thorough to your higher ups) a few times when bad internal news escalate to your level and you will remain in blissful ignorance for the rest of your tenure.
https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/setting-the-record-str...
Not saying he's not lying but it definitely raises the stakes.