The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department hosted a cybersecurity-focused tabletop exercise (TTX) and a cybersecurity seminar toward the end of last year, designed to bring together Tribal departmental representatives, Avimco I.T and response partners to discuss roles and responsibilities when preparing for and responding to cybersecurity incidents. The Horsley Witten Group, Inc. (HW) moderated the event and provided an overview of the draft Cybersecurity Incident Specific Response Plan (ISRP) before facilitating two TTX discussion scenarios based on hypothetical cybersecurity incidents. Each participant received a copy of the draft ISRP to refer to throughout the event.
The MWT EM Dept. while working with the HW team have finalized the ISRP, the Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation Plan (RMP) and the cybersecurity TTX Summary report. These are each currently available on the tribes share point site.
Overall, the TTX event successfully met the objectives that were defined in advance by the Tribe by giving participants a chance to discuss the response to hypothetical cybersecurity incidents in a low stress environment, become more comfortable with their roles and responsibilities, and identify areas for improvement. The tribal government as a result is in a better position to make the necessary changes based off the feedback, remain more resilient and work toward a safer and more protected cyber infrastructure.
