#172 - Table Top Exercises

Mar 11, 2024

Explore the significance of tabletop exercises in bolstering cybersecurity preparedness. These informal training sessions simulate real-world scenarios, allowing teams to refine their incident response plans through collaborative discussions. Discover the cost-effective benefits and compliance aspects, particularly related to SOC 2. Learn how to effectively prepare and execute these exercises by setting clear objectives, choosing the right participants, and conducting valuable follow-ups. Ultimately, it’s all about enhancing your organization’s readiness for potential cyber incidents.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

The Value of Tabletop Exercises in Crisis Preparedness

01:54 • 6min

Enhancing Cybersecurity Through Tabletop Exercises

07:28 • 19min

Enhancing Cybersecurity Through Tabletop Exercises

26:37 • 13min

The Importance of Tabletop Exercises in Cybersecurity

40:04 • 2min

This episode of CISO Tradecraft, hosted by G Mark Hardy, delves into the concept, significance, and implementation of tabletop exercises in improving organizational security posture. Tabletop exercises are described as invaluable, informal training sessions that simulate hypothetical situations allowing teams to discuss and plan responses, thereby refining incident response plans and protocols. The podcast covers the advantages of conducting these exercises, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and the crucial role they play in crisis preparation and response. It also discusses various aspects of preparing for and executing a successful tabletop exercise, including setting objectives, selecting participants, creating scenarios, and the importance of a follow-up. Additionally, the episode touches on compliance aspects related to SOC 2 and the use of tabletop exercises to expose and address potential organizational weaknesses. The overall message underscores the importance of these exercises in preparing cybersecurity teams for real-world incidents.

Outline & References:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13Qj4MOjPxWz9mhQCDQNBtoQwrXdTeIEf

Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yfmZALQfkhQCMfp9ao3151P9L2XcEXFm/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:47 The Importance of Tabletop Exercises
01:53 The Benefits of Tabletop Exercises
03:06 How to Implement Tabletop Exercises
05:30 The Role of Tabletop Exercises in Compliance
08:24 The Participants in Tabletop Exercises
09:25 The Preparation for Tabletop Exercises
16:57 The Execution of Tabletop Exercises
21:58 Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in an Exercise
22:17 The Importance of a Hot Wash Up
23:36 Creating an After Action Report (AAR)
24:06 Implementing an Action Plan
24:34 Example Scenario: Network Administrator's Mistake
25:08 Formulating Targeted Questions for the Scenario
26:36 The Role of Innovation in Tabletop Exercises
27:11 The Connection Between Tabletop Exercises and Compliance
29:18 12 Key Steps to a Successful Exercise
30:43 The Importance of Realistic Scenarios
34:05 The Role of Communication in Crisis Management
37:33 The Impact of Cyber Attacks on Operations
39:57 The Importance of Tabletop Exercises and How to Get Started
40:35 Conclusion