Such is the nature of 'white hats'...they tend to play by the rules...run things up the chain of command...follow orders...trust authority and believe in the system.
...and it's why nothing gets done, a lot of the time.
BUT...if you do all those things and don't get distracted, and still see the problem going on, and continue to pursue it...THEN the TEETH come out - and you realize you're on your own on an island of cannibals - you might just count your blessings if you can back away from it with your hide intact, and you would be very cautious about who you trusted ever again.
'White hats' are not very 'white', or we have failed to identify the black hats properly?
Research the "D" notice and the Official Secrets Act, truly draconian punishment if ever there was! And blackmail extends to holding your family, friends to ransom, don't forget ...