Tabletop exercises serve as invaluable tools for testing organizational preparedness and response to various scenarios, including cyber threats and emergencies. However, ensuring active engagement and focused participation during these exercises can be a challenge. In this discussion, we explore strategies for fostering engagement and maximizing the effectiveness of tabletop exercises, drawing parallels to maintaining presence and attentiveness in social settings.
Here is the verbatim discussion:
But getting people out of the normal environment, so they're not like goi back and checking their email all the time. Or we had people who disru they would pop in and pop out, pop in, pop out. And they were not really engaged. They weren't freed up. Some people would say, turn your cell phone and you say, what a real emergency? Wouldn't we be texting each other? Whatever. But if it's a tabletop exercise, the discussion, the comments are very important, and you want people to be focused. Just like if you go to someone, a friend or spouse for dinner. vou don't want them on the phone the whole time important, and you want people to be focused. Just like if you go to someone, a friend or spouse for dinner, you don't want them on the phone the whole time while you're having dinner with them. Right.
Highlights:
Creating a Distraction-Free Environment: One of the key challenges in tabletop exercises is keeping participants focused and engaged. Removing distractions, such as constant email checking or smartphone use, can significantly enhance the quality of discussions and contributions.
Encouraging Active Participation: Passive involvement, such as popping in and out of the exercise, can hinder meaningful collaboration and problem-solving. Encouraging participants to actively contribute to discussions and scenarios fosters a collaborative environment conducive to effective decision-making.
Setting Expectations: Clearly communicating expectations regarding participation and focus helps set the tone for the exercise. Just as one wouldn't want distractions during a dinner with friends or loved ones, participants should understand the importance of their undivided attention during tabletop exercises.
Maximizing the effectiveness of tabletop exercises requires deliberate efforts to foster engagement and attentiveness among participants. By creating a distraction-free environment, encouraging active participation, and setting clear expectations, organizations can ensure that these exercises yield valuable insights and enhance preparedness for real-world scenarios. Just as one values meaningful interactions during social gatherings, the importance of focused engagement in tabletop exercises cannot be overstated.
Speakers:
Dan Lohrmann is an esteemed cybersecurity expert and Field Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Presidio, celebrated for his impactful career across both public and private sectors. With beginnings at the National Security Agency and roles at Lockheed Martin and ManTech, he has been recognized as CSO of the Year among other accolades. Dan is also a prolific author and speaker, sharing insights on cybersecurity and technology modernization through his award-winning blog and publications.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danlohrmann/
Bikash Barai is credited for several innovations in the domain of Network Security and Anti-Spam Technologies and has multiple patents in USPTO. Fortune recognized Bikash among India’s Top 40 Business Leaders under the age of 40 (Fortune 40-under-40).Bikash is also an active speaker and has spoken at various forums like TiE, RSA Conference USA, TEDx etc.
Earlier he founded iViZ an IDG Ventures-backed company that was later acquired by Cigital and now Synopsys. iViZ was the first company in the world to take Ethical Hacking (or Penetration Testing) to the cloud.
https://twitter.com/bikashbarai1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bikashbarai/
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