AUSCERT launches new Tabletop Exercise Service for cyber incident readiness

AUSCERT, Australia's first computer emergency response team and one of the oldest CERTs globally, has launced its new Tabletop Exercise Service (TTX) to help organisations test and improve their incident response capabilities.

The service aims to enhance preparedness for managing and responding to various cyber incidents across organisations of all sizes.

Dr Ivano Bongiovanni, general manager of AUSCERT, said the new offering was about more than having a playbook for effective incident response.

"Custom-designed TTXs meet the specific objectives and requirements of businesses of all sizes," he said.

The TTX service involves participants from various departments, including operational staff, cybersecurity professionals, IT leaders, marketing and communication teams, and executives.

This diverse participation ensures a comprehensive understanding of inter-role interactions and responsibilities during an incident.

AUSCERT's skilled facilitators guide participants through realistic scenarios, prompting them to consider aspects such as roles, responsibilities, coordination, and decision-making.

The exercises are discussion-based, focusing on fostering a collaborative environment for strategy refinement.

"During the high stakes of a real-world incident, making the best decisions requires planning and practice."

"TTXs enable participants to develop the muscle memory they need so they can respond to difficult situations from a position of experience and with the confidence of having planned and tested responses," Dr Bongiovanni explained.

A key technical aspect of the TTX service is its ability to test and validate existing playbooks, engaging teams in practical scenarios without the need for deploying actual equipment or resources.

The service is designed to be accessible to organisations of all sizes across Australia.

As a not-for-profit organisation, AUSCERT aims to make this expertise available to smaller organisations that may have previously found such services financially out of reach.

Organisations interested in improving their cyber incident response capabilities can find more information and register for a TTX on the AUSCERT website.