performing-ransomware-tabletop-exercise

name	performing-ransomware-tabletop-exercise
description	Plans and facilitates tabletop exercises simulating ransomware incidents, using realistic scenarios based on threat actors like LockBit and ALPHV/BlackCat with injects covering double extortion and backup destruction, then evaluates responses against NIST CSF and CISA guidelines. Use when planning or running a ransomware tabletop exercise or incident response readiness drill.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	ransomware-defense
tags	["ransomware","incident-response","tabletop-exercise","defense","preparedness"]
version	1.0.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.DS-11","RS.MA-01","RC.RP-01","PR.IR-01"]
mitre_attack	["T1078","T1190","T1059","T1486","T1490"]
mitre_f3	{"version":"1.1","tactics":["positioning","monetization"],"techniques":[{"id":"T1531","name":"Account Access Removal","tactic":"positioning","source":"attack"},{"id":"F1018","name":"Convert to Cryptocurrency","tactic":"monetization","source":"f3"},{"id":"F1047","name":"Transfer of funds","tactic":"monetization","source":"f3"},{"id":"F1017.001","name":"Conversion to Physical Monetary Instruments: Cash","tactic":"monetization","source":"f3"}]}

Performing Ransomware Tabletop Exercise

When to Use

• Testing organizational ransomware response procedures annually or after major infrastructure changes
• Validating decision-making processes for ransom payment, regulatory notification, and public disclosure
• Training executives, IT, legal, PR, and operations teams on their roles during a ransomware incident
• Meeting cyber insurance policy requirements for documented incident response testing
• Identifying gaps in recovery playbooks, communication plans, and backup procedures

Do not use as a substitute for technical controls testing. Tabletop exercises validate procedures and decision-making, not technical detection or prevention capabilities.

Prerequisites

• Documented incident response plan (IRP) that participants should have read before the exercise
• Identified exercise participants from: executive leadership, IT/security, legal, communications/PR, HR, operations, and external counsel
• Facilitator who is independent from the IR team (to provide objective evaluation)
• Ransomware scenario designed with injects that escalate over multiple rounds
• Evaluation criteria aligned to NIST CSF Respond/Recover functions
• Conference room or virtual meeting for 2-4 hours with no interruptions

Workflow

Step 1: Design the Exercise Scenario

Build a realistic scenario based on current threat actor TTPs:

Scenario Structure:

Phase 1: Initial Detection (30 min)
  - SOC receives alert for suspicious process execution on file server
  - EDR detects Cobalt Strike beacon on 3 workstations
  - Inject: External threat intel report links C2 IP to LockBit affiliate

Phase 2: Escalation (30 min)
  - Ransomware executes on 40% of servers during overnight hours
  - Ransom note demands $2M in Bitcoin with 72-hour deadline
  - Inject: Attackers contact media claiming data theft of customer PII

Phase 3: Decision Points (45 min)
  - Backup assessment reveals immutable copies are intact but primary backups encrypted
  - Legal advises on breach notification timeline (72 hours GDPR, varies by US state)
  - Inject: Threat actor publishes sample of stolen data on leak site

Phase 4: Recovery and Communication (45 min)
  - Recovery time estimate: 5-7 days from immutable backups
  - Insurance carrier engages negotiation firm
  - Inject: Major customer threatens contract termination without update within 24 hours

Scenario Variables to Customize:

• Threat actor group and known TTPs
• Percentage of infrastructure encrypted
• Whether backups are intact, partially compromised, or fully destroyed