Surely 2022 was the year of cyber attacks. Major Cities of Europe, an international partner of LOLA npo, organized its first virtual and face-to-face tabletop exercises last year. At the end of May, they will organize a new virtual cyber exercise 'The Great Bank Robbery' in which participants will be split into attacking (red) and defending (Blue) teams. Can you rob the bank and get away to retire in wealth somewhere far away? Blue Team - can you stop them and protect your citizens' savings?

The simulation provides a realistic real-time experience for various government-department actors and a gripping event for viewers and participants. The scenario ensures that everyone walks away with a better-shared understanding of the dynamics of cyber security threats.

A cyber attack or breach of a local government's IT systems could have a devastating impact on its ability to function at all levels of operations and service delivery. Such an event would likely cripple operations and lead to a loss of public trust and support. Based on recent experience with other local governments, a cyber attack is now considered a public emergency, requiring a thoughtful, legal and coordinated government response. Cybersecurity remains the first priority for technology executives. Unfortunately, cyber security as a priority does not always resonate with other executives and leaders within a local government. Too often, cybersecurity is seen as an IT "responsibility" rather than an issue or priority that affects every department and function of government operations and service delivery. This exercise helps (non-)IT Cyber Expert create a better-shared understanding of how such attacks work and how to communicate this more effectively to other stakeholders.

Learn more about how:

1. Raise Cybersecurity as a priority within your government department and expose these officials to realistic and time-sensitive experiences and decision-making.
2. Provide a realistic experience for stakeholders to improve planning and response for a real incident.
3. Build a strong and unified understanding among key players so that when a real attack occurs, everyone understands their respective roles and responsibilities well.

Pre-registration via e-mail to oliver.schwabe@isac4cities.eu is required and registrants can indicate their preference to join the Red or Blue Team. Both teams will be led by experienced cybersecurity professionals.

The webinar is organized and led by Oliver Schwabe, the coordinator of the Major Cities of Europe Special Interest Group: EU ISAC for Cities I4C+.