Critical infrastructure attacks will be the focus of a cybersecurity simulation run by The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).
A fictional Big Utility Company (BUC) and its three subsidiaries, Big Electric Company, Big Water Company and Big Gas Company, will be the subject of four hybrid cyber/physical attacks. Observers will see the anatomy of four attacks and the business, technical and legal response of the fictional BUC Dream Team as they apply their best practices to repel the attacks with minimum disruption to their business.
“The cybersecurity of our critical infrastructure is a serious national security challenge, which is why this year’s TAG Cyber Security Simulation is so important,” said Tino Mantella, TAG President/CEO. “According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 53% of reported cybersecurity incidents in 2013 were related to the energy industry.”
The idea is to show realistic cyber-attack scenarios and responses that can be applied directly to a real-world environment and used to develop and build regional disaster relief and response plans. The exercise aims to foster dialogue between regional first responders and other agencies, and with southeastern emergency managers, such as the Georgia Emergency Response Agency.
“The simulation gives companies a unique opportunity to see the legal, technology and business issues that arise during a cybersecurity attack,” said Roy Hadley, chair of the TAG Information Security Society and partner in the privacy and information security practice in the Atlanta office of the law firm of Thompson Hine LLP. “Companies will benefit from learning specific steps that can be taken to address issues related to different types of attacks. It has been invaluable to work with corporate executives throughout Atlanta who will play a role in the simulation. We appreciate their participation in this important event.”