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Last updated on Friday, March 4, 2016
(ATTERBURY) - Public and private cross-industry sector partners participated in a tabletop exercise, led by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Thursday at Camp Atterbury with a focus on a cyberattack and the effects of utility disruptions.
Called "Crit-Ex" for critical infrastructure exercise, included representatives from the energy and water industries, as well as local, state and federal government and private sector information technology professionals, to discuss response to a cyberattack on a power facility that results in widespread power disruption. Participants examined and resolved problems in communication; strengthen coordination channels between functions; and define channels for sharing sensitive information.
"This type of exercise is timely for the public and private sector," said IDHS Executive Director David Kane. "Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common, and this exercise is designed to help harness the expertise of Indiana's private cyber sector and coordinate the response closely with public safety agencies."
Other state agency participating included the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Office of Technology, Indiana Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IN-ISAC), Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
The exercise also will fulfill the state's strategic objectives, including helping utilities and public safety organizations map interdependencies, thereby maximizing future response efforts.
With about 35 participants from both the public and private sector, Crit-Ex will streamline coordination, align roles and responsibilities and share subject-matter expertise to deepen the understanding of the cyber ecosystem.
A tabletop exercise is a discussion-based exercise that occurs in an informal setting, allowing players to respond to a scenario using their knowledge of current plans and capabilities and insights derived from training.
The Crit-Ex project is one of several concurrent cyber activities designed to support the state strategy and meet the next generation of cyber challenges: interrelated, interlinked and capable of disruption across sectors.
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