Training Course on Tabletop Exercises and Incident Response Simulation

Training Course on Tabletop Exercises and Incident Response Simulation

Introduction

In an era where cyber threats, data breaches, and ransomware attacks are more sophisticated and frequent than ever, organizations must go beyond theory and actively prepare for incidents. Tabletop exercises and incident response simulations are proven strategies that empower teams to assess, refine, and fortify their cybersecurity posture. Training Course on Tabletop Exercises and Incident Response Simulation provides a hands-on, scenario-based learning environment where participants can safely practice their response to real-world security incidents.

Using simulated crises, this course helps organizations test their incident response plans, identify vulnerabilities, improve decision-making, and enhance cross-functional collaboration. Whether you're in IT, management, or compliance, this training ensures you’re equipped with resilient response frameworks to handle business disruptions, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory audits.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the fundamentals of cyber incident response frameworks.
2. Develop practical skills in conducting tabletop security exercises.
3. Evaluate existing incident response strategies and escalation processes.
4. Foster improved cross-functional communication and crisis coordination.
5. Analyze real-world case studies to reinforce learning outcomes.
6. Identify gaps in your cybersecurity infrastructure and response readiness.
7. Execute high-impact incident simulation drills tailored to your organization.
8. Enhance risk mitigation through adaptive planning techniques.
9. Learn how to manage ransomware, phishing, and insider threats.
10. Prepare for compliance with NIST, ISO 27001, and GDPR standards.
11. Understand the role of business continuity and disaster recovery in simulations.
12. Strengthen executive-level decision-making under pressure.
13. Master the art of conducting post-incident reviews and continuous improvement.

Target Audiences

1. IT Security Professionals
2. Risk & Compliance Officers
3. Incident Response Teams
4. Cybersecurity Consultants
5. Emergency Management Personnel
6. Business Continuity Planners
7. Senior Executives and CISOs
8. Government and Critical Infrastructure Professionals

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Tabletop Exercises

• Definition and scope of tabletop exercises
• Key components of a tabletop scenario
• Role assignment and stakeholder engagement
• Objectives and metrics for exercise success
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Case Study: Healthcare ransomware attack tabletop

Module 2: Cyber Threat Landscape & Risk Assessment

• Overview of current cyber threat trends
• Vulnerability analysis and risk scoring
• Mapping threats to organizational assets
• Threat intelligence integration
• Risk appetite and tolerance planning
• Case Study: Banking sector DDoS threat scenario

Module 3: Building an Incident Response Team

• Roles and responsibilities in IR
• Developing an escalation matrix
• Communication protocols during incidents
• Legal, HR, and PR coordination
• Skills and certifications for IR teams
• Case Study: Insider threat in a manufacturing firm

Module 4: Planning and Executing Tabletop Drills

• Designing realistic incident scenarios
• Scheduling and preparing stakeholders
• Documentation and walkthroughs
• Exercise facilitation tips
• Evaluation and feedback collection
• Case Study: Cloud data breach simulation

Module 5: Regulatory Compliance and Reporting

• NIST, ISO 27001, and GDPR alignment
• Evidence collection and documentation
• Regulatory reporting timelines
• Legal implications of delayed reporting
• Communication with external agencies
• Case Study: PCI DSS breach in retail organization

Module 6: Advanced Incident Response Simulation

• Simulated ransomware negotiation
• Red team vs blue team exercises
• Use of simulation software tools
• Metrics and response KPIs
• Coordinated recovery protocols
• Case Study: Zero-day attack in tech startup

Module 7: Post-Incident Review and Continuous Improvement

• Conducting a lessons-learned workshop
• Root cause and impact analysis
• Updating policies and procedures
• Employee training refreshers
• Documentation for compliance audits
• Case Study: Phishing campaign response assessment

Module 8: Business Continuity and Crisis Leadership

• Business continuity plan (BCP) integration
• Crisis leadership and ethical decision-making
• Communication during prolonged outages
• Interdepartmental coordination during recovery
• Measuring recovery time objectives (RTO)
• Case Study: Natural disaster disrupting IT services

Training Methodology

• Interactive instructor-led sessions
• Realistic, scenario-driven simulations
• Hands-on group exercises
• Post-exercise feedback and debriefs
• Access to customizable templates and checklists
• Online resource portal for post-training support

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.