On June 13, 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) made history by conducting the federal government’s inaugural tabletop exercise focused on artificial intelligence (AI) security incidents.

This groundbreaking event, led by the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), brought together key stakeholders from the private sector to address the unique challenges posed by AI in cybersecurity.

The AI Cyber Tabletop Exercise aimed to go beyond conventional cybersecurity incidents, focusing on the complexities introduced by AI-enabled systems.

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The primary objectives were to:

• Explore information-sharing opportunities for cyber incidents involving AI.
• Examine industry participants’ response procedures and best practices for multistage AI incidents.
• Identify areas for improvement in AI incident response plans, information sharing, and organizational resilience.
• Assess the capabilities, needs, and priorities for operational collaboration among government, industry, and international partners on AI-related cyber incidents.

Capturing Lessons Learned

CISA plans to incorporate the insights gained from this exercise into an AI Security Incident Collaboration Playbook.

This playbook will serve as a comprehensive guide for operational collaboration across government, industry, and international partners.

The goal is to enhance preparedness and response strategies for AI-related cyber incidents, ensuring a coordinated and practical approach.

A second tabletop exercise is already being worked on to test and validate the playbook.

This follow-up event will involve AI companies and critical infrastructure entities integrating AI into their operational environments.

The iterative process aims to refine and strengthen the playbook, making it a robust tool for managing AI cyber incidents.

Enhancing Public-Private Engagement

One of the key takeaways from the exercise was the importance of public-private engagement in addressing AI security incidents.

By fostering collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities, CISA aims to create a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem capable of responding to AI’s evolving threats.

The exercise highlighted the need for continuous improvement in information sharing, response procedures, and overall organizational resilience.

As AI continues to transform the cybersecurity landscape, initiatives like this tabletop exercise are crucial for preventing potential threats and ensuring critical infrastructure security.

CISA’s first-ever AI Cyber Tabletop Exercise marks a significant step forward in the federal government’s efforts to address AI’s unique challenges in cybersecurity.

CISA is paving the way for a more secure and resilient future by fostering collaboration and capturing valuable lessons.

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