Imagine this scenario: hackers have breached your network and deployed ransomware. Or maybe a wild weather event has left your location in shambles.
Is your team ready to tackle such chaos? Do they know where to find emergency procedures, what steps to take, the right questions to ask, and who’s in charge of what? Are they trained and primed to jump into action? The success of disaster recovery relies on the readiness and collaboration of your team. If you haven’t practiced these, and other, scenarios, how can you expect to perform when the heat is on?
Enter the tabletop exercise! This is your organization’s chance to run through the motions of incident response and disaster recovery in a low-pressure, simulated environment. It’s like a dress rehearsal for crisis management, where your team can flex their problem-solving muscles using the processes and procedures you’ve put in place. The ultimate goal? To ensure everyone is ready and raring to go when the real deal strikes.
Without this practice, precious time could slip away during an actual incident, allowing threat actors to dig deeper into your network, steal data, or wreak even more havoc.
Think about it—just like we practiced fire and tornado drills back in school, tabletop exercises prepare your team for when disaster strikes. When chaos erupts, everyone should know their role and be ready to execute their responsibilities flawlessly.
Here are two tabletop exercises to help your team prepare:
- Ransomware Response
- Natural Disaster Response
Tabletop Exercise 1: Ransomware Attack Response
Objective:
To evaluate and improve the organization’s readiness to respond to a ransomware attack, ensuring that team members understand their roles and responsibilities in the incident response plan.
Preparation:
Participants: Assemble a diverse group of team members from various departments (IT, HR, Operations, Communications, etc.) to provide different perspectives.
Duration: Schedule 1.5 to 2 hours for the exercise.
Materials Needed:
- Copies of the Incident Response Plan
- Copies of the Disaster Recovery Plan
- Whiteboard or flip chart for notes
- Pens and paper for participants
Scenario Overview:
You are alerted to a ransomware attack on your organization’s network. Critical files are encrypted, and a ransom note has been left on affected devices, demanding payment in cryptocurrency to restore access.
Exercise Steps:
Briefing (10 minutes):Introduce the scenario to the participants, explaining the context and objectives of the exercise. Emphasize that this is a simulation and that the focus is on discussion and collaboration, not on performance evaluation.
Initial Response (30 minutes):
- What is the first action you take when alerted to the ransomware attack?
- Who do you notify within the organization?
- What immediate steps should be taken to contain the attack?
Encourage participants to reference their Incident Response Plan as they discuss and outline their initial actions.
Assessing the Impact (20 minutes):
- How do you assess which systems and files have been affected?
- What steps do you take to communicate the incident to all employees?
- What information do you need to gather before deciding to pay the ransom?
Allow teams to brainstorm and share their ideas.
Recovery Actions (20 minutes):
- What is your plan for recovering affected systems and data?
- How do you ensure that all malware is removed before restoring operations?
- What backup systems do you utilize, and how do they factor into your recovery strategy?
Wrap-Up and Debrief (20 minutes):
- Summarize key points discussed during the exercise.
- Discuss any gaps or weaknesses identified in the response process.
- Encourage participants to share insights or suggestions for improving the Incident Response Plan and disaster recovery processes.
Post-Exercise Evaluation:
- Action Items: Create a list of action items based on the insights gained during the exercise. Assign responsibilities and set deadlines for completing these tasks.
- Follow-Up Meeting: Schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress on action items and further refine the incident response and recovery plans.
Tabletop Exercise 2: Natural Disaster Response
Objective:
To assess and enhance the organization’s preparedness for natural disasters such as floods, fires, or severe weather, ensuring that team members are aware of their roles and the emergency procedures in place.
Preparation:
Participants: Gather team members from various departments (Facilities, HR, Communications, IT, etc.) to contribute diverse insights.
Duration: Allocate 1.5 to 2 hours for the exercise.
Materials Needed:
- Copies of the Emergency Response Plan
- Maps of the office and surrounding area
- Whiteboard or flip chart for notes
- Pens and paper for participants
Scenario Overview:
A severe storm is forecasted to hit your area, bringing heavy rains and the potential for flooding. Your main office is at risk of being compromised, and you need to determine your response plan.
Exercise Steps:
Briefing (10 minutes): Introduce the natural disaster scenario to the participants, outlining the objectives of the exercise. Stress that this is a collaborative discussion, not a test.
Initial Response (30 minutes):
- What are the immediate steps to take once the storm warning is issued?
- How do you ensure the safety of all employees and communicate evacuation procedures?
- Who is responsible for monitoring weather updates and communicating with employees?
Assessing the Impact (20 minutes):
- How do you evaluate the condition of the building and its safety after the storm?
- What steps should be taken to communicate with employees who may not have been present during the emergency?
- What resources or services do you need to assess the damage and initiate recovery?
Recovery Actions (20 minutes):
- What is your plan for restoring operations after the disaster?
- How do you prioritize recovery efforts for affected employees and systems?
- What preventive measures can be taken to minimize future risks?
Wrap-Up and Debrief (20 minutes):
- Summarize the discussions and insights gathered throughout the exercise.
- Highlight any gaps or areas for improvement in the Emergency Response Plan.
- Encourage participants to suggest ways to strengthen the organization’s preparedness for future natural disasters.
Post-Exercise Evaluation:
- Action Items: Compile a list of follow-up tasks based on insights gained during the exercise. Assign responsibilities and set deadlines for completion.
- Follow-Up Meeting: Plan a follow-up meeting to review action items and refine the Emergency Response Plan.
And there you have it! Running a tabletop exercise is like a practice round for your team, helping everyone know their role when the unexpected hits. By regularly shaking off the cobwebs and walking through scenarios like this one, you’re not just ticking a box—you’re setting your team up for success when it really matters.
Want to make sure your crew is ready to tackle anything that comes your way? Let’s chat! We’re here to help you get started on your tabletop exercise and disaster preparedness journey.
For More Information: https://www.ready.gov/business/training/testing-exercise/exercises
