Strengthening Cyber Resilience Through Cyber Security Tabletop Exercises

CyBiz recently worked with @Sygnia and @Allens to prepare and deliver a high-impact cyber security tabletop exercise in Sydney, bringing together over 30 participants from critical infrastructure and other key sectors. The session provided a unique opportunity for leaders to test their cyber incident response capabilities in a realistic, high-pressure scenario. A representative from the National Office of Cyber Security attended, and shared their expertise, advice and the Australian Government’s perspectives regarding the issues that arise during a live scenario.

Why Tabletop Exercises are Crucial for Cybersecurity Preparedness

With the growing sophistication of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and other sectors, organisations must be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively. Tabletop exercises provide a controlled environment to stress-test decision-making, refine incident response plans, and strengthen collaboration between internal teams and external stakeholders.

In this instance, the exercise was based on a fictitious company, and participants from the different organisations worked together to bring their combined experience and expertise to respond to the developing cyber crisis. Breaking news videos and fake media interviews from former journalists kept participants on their toes and added to the realism of the exercise.

Key Takeaways from the Exercise

1. Preparedness is Key

Organisations that have clear, well-rehearsed response plans can significantly reduce the impact or “blast area” of a cyber incident. The exercise reinforced the importance of regular training and continuous improvement of incident response playbooks. Cyber incidents require a cross-functional response involving IT, legal, risk, operations, communications, and executive leadership. Often, it’s the little things which can make the difference in a successful response to a cyber incident.

2. Collaboration Strengthens Defence

Effective cyber defence is not just an IT issue; it requires a whole-of-organisation approach. Engaging legal, risk, and executive teams in response exercises ensures alignment on critical decisions, regulatory requirements, and communication strategies. Clear roles and responsibilities prevent confusion and ensure that technical teams focus on containment and remediation, while legal and executive teams manage regulatory and reputational considerations.

3. Regulatory and Legal Considerations

Allens provided valuable insights into the legal and compliance aspects of cyber incidents, highlighting key regulatory obligations and the importance of managing reputational risks. A cyber incident often involves sensitive legal implications, including Privacy impact assessments, and management of continuous disclosure obligations, as well as determining whether or not payment of ransomware is legal in the specific case.

4. Communication Matters in Cyber Incident Response

Effective communication is one of the most crucial components of a successful cyber incident response. In the high-pressure environment of a cyberattack, clear, coordinated, and timely communication ensures that response efforts are efficient, reputational damage is minimised, and regulatory obligations are met. Communications should be reviewed to ensure they align with legal obligations, avoiding premature disclosures or statements that could create liability.

5. Negotiations With the Threat Actor

Tactical negotiations with the threat actor have many benefits, including building trust, gaining extra time, confirming information which has been exfiltrated or accessed, improving terms, regardless of whether or not there is an intention to pay ransomware.

6. Cyber Threats Continue to Evolve

The scenario demonstrated the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, underscoring the importance of rapid response capabilities, as well as engaging in expert support to optimise Incident Response efforts, including technical responders (DFIR, containment), threat actor negotiation, legal and communications.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Cyber Resilience

As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, organisations must continue to invest in their resilience. Tabletop exercises play a crucial role in ensuring organisations are prepared for the inevitable.

CyBiz remains committed to supporting organisations in enhancing their cybersecurity maturity, resilience, and incident response capabilities. If your organisation is looking to improve its readiness through tailored exercises or strategic guidance, we’re here to help.

Get in Touch with CyBiz:

To enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity preparedness, contact CyBiz today. Call us at 1300 229 214, email us at su*****@***iz.au, or visit our contact page to get started. We’re here to help you strengthen your defences against evolving cyber threats.