Table Top Exercises

Enhance Organizational Resilience through Structured Simulations

Our tabletop exercises are meticulously designed to simulate real-world incidents, enabling organizations to identify gaps, refine response strategies, and foster team collaboration. Whether focusing on a specific section of a response plan or engaging multiple teams across departments, our exercises are tailored to meet your organization's unique needs. These don’t have to only be about cybersecurity. Tabletops can cover business continuity, physical security, and natural disasters.

Our Approach: The Five Phases of Tabletop Exercise Planning

1. Planning

  • Define Goals: Establish clear objectives to ensure the exercise aligns with organizational priorities and addresses specific areas of concern.

  • Identify Stakeholders: Determine key participants, including internal teams and external partners, to ensure comprehensive representation.

  • Select Scenario: Choose between predefined scenarios or develop custom scenarios that reflect potential threats relevant to your organization.

  • Coordinate Logistics: Organize all logistical aspects, including scheduling, venue selection, and resource allocation, to ensure smooth execution.

2. Scenario Design

  • Research: Conduct thorough research to develop realistic and relevant scenarios that challenge existing plans.

  • Review Company Documentation: Analyze current policies, procedures, and past incident reports to inform scenario development.

  • Create Graphics and Presentations: Develop engaging materials to facilitate discussion and decision-making during the exercise.

  • Review with Customer: Collaborate with your team to refine scenarios and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

3. Logistics

  • Location: Select appropriate venues that accommodate the exercise format and participant needs.

  • Travel Coordination: Arrange transportation for participants, if necessary, to ensure timely attendance.

  • Food/Drink: Provide catering services to maintain participant engagement and comfort.

  • Vendor Coordination: Manage external vendors to support various aspects of the exercise.

  • Setup/Breakdown: Oversee the physical setup and teardown of the venue to ensure a professional environment.

4. Execution

  • Facilitation: Lead the exercise to ensure objectives are met and discussions remain focused.

  • Real-Time Adjustments: Adapt scenarios dynamically to reflect participant decisions and emerging discussions.

  • Documentation: Record key decisions, actions, and outcomes for post-exercise analysis.

5. After Action

  • Analyze Results: Assess participant performance and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Identify Areas of Improvement: Highlight specific gaps or challenges encountered during the exercise.

  • Report: Compile a comprehensive after-action report detailing findings and recommendations.

  • Presentation: Deliver a debriefing session to discuss outcomes and outline actionable steps for enhancement.

Scope and Customization

Our tabletop exercises vary in scale and complexity:

  • Small-Scale: Focused on a specific section of a response plan, ideal for addressing particular concerns or testing new procedures.

  • Team-Focused: Engages a single organizational unit to evaluate internal coordination and response strategies.

  • Large-Scale: Involves multiple teams across departments and external vendors, simulating complex incidents that require cross-functional collaboration.

Exercises can be tailored to be:

  • Technical-Focused: Emphasizing IT systems, cybersecurity protocols, and technical response strategies.

  • Executive-Focused: Concentrating on decision-making, communication strategies, and leadership during crises.

Why Choose Our Tabletop Exercises?

  • Identify Gaps and Challenges: Uncover weaknesses in existing plans and procedures to enhance overall preparedness.

  • Team Building: Foster collaboration and communication among team members, strengthening organizational cohesion.

  • Cross-Training: Provide opportunities for participants to learn about other departments' roles and responsibilities, promoting a holistic understanding of organizational operations.

  • Actionable Outcomes: Move beyond theoretical discussions to develop clear, implementable action plans that drive continuous improvement.

Delivering Value Beyond a PowerPoint

A successful tabletop exercise transcends a mere presentation. It is an interactive, dynamic process that:

  • Engages participants in realistic scenarios.

  • Encourages critical thinking and decision-making under pressure.

  • Provides insights into organizational strengths and areas for growth.

Our commitment is to ensure that each exercise concludes with a clear, actionable plan to enhance your organization's resilience and preparedness.