WireLurker Scenario: Media Company Cross-Device Infection
Planning Resources
Scenario Details for IMs
Digital Media Corp
Content production company, 220 employees, multimedia workflows
Key Assets At Risk:
- Media content
- Celebrity privacy
- Production schedules
- Content distribution
Business Pressure
Exclusive content premiere Monday - celebrity privacy breach threatens media relationships and distribution deals
Cultural Factors
- Media editors downloaded infected video editing plugins from compromised creative software sites
- Cross-platform malware accesses exclusive celebrity content and production schedules across Mac-iOS ecosystem
- Confidential media content and celebrity personal information have been compromised across production devices
Opening Presentation
“It’s Thursday morning at Digital Media Corp, and production teams are finalizing exclusive celebrity interview content for Monday’s premiere across streaming platforms. But Senior Editor Amanda Foster notices something disturbing: media files are syncing unexpectedly between her Mac editing workstation and production iPhone, exclusive celebrity footage is being accessed by unknown processes, and confidential content appears to be copied across multiple device platforms without authorization. The cross-platform malware is spreading through the company’s integrated Mac-iOS media workflow, threatening celebrity privacy and multi-million dollar distribution deals.”
Initial Symptoms to Present:
Key Discovery Paths:
Detective Investigation Leads:
Protector System Analysis:
Tracker Network Investigation:
Communicator Stakeholder Interviews:
Mid-Scenario Pressure Points:
- Hour 1: Production Director discovers exclusive celebrity interviews may have been exfiltrated to tabloid media
- Hour 2: Content premiere deadline approaches with compromised media production systems
- Hour 3: IT finds malware spreading to celebrity personal devices during content review sessions
- Hour 4: Major celebrity representative calls threatening lawsuit due to privacy breach concerns
Evolution Triggers:
- If malware continues undetected, exclusive celebrity content could be leaked affecting multiple talent relationships
- If premiere delays occur, distribution deals worth $8M are at risk and media company reputation suffers
- If celebrity privacy breach is confirmed, talent contracts and industry trust are permanently damaged
Resolution Pathways:
Technical Success Indicators:
- Team identifies cross-platform trojan and Mac-iOS media workflow infection mechanisms
- Media production environment security restored through comprehensive malware removal
- Celebrity content and distribution credentials verified secure and uncompromised
Business Success Indicators:
- Content premiere proceeds on schedule with verified clean media deliverables
- Celebrity privacy maintained and exclusive content protected from unauthorized disclosure
- Media company reputation preserved through professional incident management
Learning Success Indicators:
- Team understands cross-platform malware in media production environments
- Participants recognize creative software supply chain risks in multimedia workflows
- Group demonstrates coordination between media operations and security response
Common IM Facilitation Challenges:
If Cross-Platform Media Workflow Is Misunderstood:
“Amanda explains that editors constantly transfer content between Mac workstations and iPhones - reviewing rough cuts on mobile, sharing clips with producers via AirDrop, testing final edits on iOS devices before distribution. The malware exploits these normal media production workflows. How does this integrated Mac-iOS workflow change your containment approach?”
If Celebrity Privacy Impact Is Underestimated:
“Legal Counsel Michael reminds you that celebrity contracts include severe penalties for privacy breaches and confidentiality violations. Three A-list celebrities have exclusive content premiering Monday. Any delay or security disclosure could trigger contract cancellations, lawsuits, and industry blacklisting. How do you balance security response with talent obligations?”
If Third-Party Media Tools Are Trusted Uncritically:
“IT Manager Lisa discovered editors downloaded ‘professional’ video editing plugins from third-party sites offering advanced color grading and effects not available in official stores. These looked legitimate with proper media industry branding. How do you balance production capabilities with software verification when third-party tools offer tempting creative enhancements?”
Success Metrics for Session:
Template Compatibility
This scenario adapts to multiple session formats with appropriate scope and timing:
Quick Demo (35-40 minutes)
Structure: 3 investigation rounds, 1 decision round Focus: Core cross-platform infection discovery and immediate media environment containment Simplified Elements: Streamlined celebrity relationship complexity and media workflow details Key Actions: Identify Mac-iOS malware propagation, implement emergency device isolation, coordinate premiere decision
Lunch & Learn (75-90 minutes)
Structure: 5 investigation rounds, 2 decision rounds Focus: Comprehensive media environment investigation and celebrity content protection Added Depth: Creative software supply chain security and celebrity privacy protocols Key Actions: Complete forensic analysis of cross-platform infection, coordinate talent communications, restore media security with verification
Full Game (120-140 minutes)
Structure: 7 investigation rounds, 3 decision rounds Focus: Complete media company breach response with talent and distribution coordination Full Complexity: Content theft assessment, celebrity relationship management, long-term media workflow security Key Actions: Comprehensive cross-platform malware containment, coordinate multi-talent response, implement enhanced media security
Advanced Challenge (150-170 minutes)
Structure: 8-9 investigation rounds, 4 decision rounds Expert Elements: Media industry privacy protection technical depth, cross-platform infection complexity, company survival strategy Additional Challenges: Mid-scenario celebrity pressure, premiere deadline conflicts, privacy breach implications Key Actions: Complete investigation under media operational constraints, coordinate multi-stakeholder response, implement comprehensive media security while ensuring content premieres
Quick Demo Materials (35-40 min)
Guided Investigation Clues
Progressive hints to maintain engagement and learning momentum:
Pre-Defined Response Options
Three balanced response approaches with trade-offs:
Option A: Complete Media Environment Rebuild & Content Premiere Delay
- Action: Immediately quarantine all Mac workstations and iOS devices, rebuild media production environment from verified sources, conduct comprehensive celebrity content audit and privacy assessment, delay all content premieres until complete security verification, coordinate talent notifications about security incident and timeline extensions.
- Pros: Ensures absolute certainty of malware elimination and celebrity privacy protection, provides thorough investigation of exclusive content theft, demonstrates commitment to talent security and contractual obligations, prevents potential content leak or competitive intelligence disclosure.
- Cons: Delays premieres by 2-3 weeks affecting $8M in distribution deals and risking talent contract cancellations, potential media company reputation damage from security incident disclosure, allows competitors or tabloid media with stolen content to potentially preempt exclusive releases, significant production team morale and financial impact.
- Type Effectiveness: Super effective against Trojan malmon type; complete environment rebuild prevents cross-platform propagation and ensures media security with zero compromise risk.
Option B: Accelerated Parallel Response & Conditional Premiere
- Action: Conduct intensive 60-hour malware removal and media environment validation using maximum resources, implement enhanced Mac-iOS security protocols and plugin verification, coordinate expedited celebrity content audit focusing on confidential materials, proceed with conditional content premieres pending real-time security verification while maintaining talent confidence.
- Pros: Balances media company survival with security response requirements, provides compressed but thorough cross-platform containment, demonstrates agile media incident management, maintains distribution deals and talent relationships while addressing infection.
- Cons: Requires extraordinary coordination across production teams and sustained 24/7 operations, compressed timeline increases risk of incomplete malware removal or missed content exposure, maintains operational uncertainty during premieres, intensive stress on editorial and talent relations teams.
- Type Effectiveness: Moderately effective against Trojan malmon type; addresses immediate media security concerns while enabling premieres, but compressed timeline may not fully eliminate sophisticated cross-platform infections or completely assess celebrity privacy exposure scope.
Option C: Selective System Isolation & Phased Security Recovery
- Action: Isolate confirmed infected production systems from content distribution workflows, implement immediate Mac-iOS verification protocols for clean systems, proceed with celebrity content premieres using verified uninfected media segment while conducting thorough malware investigation on isolated systems, coordinate phased security restoration aligned with distribution priorities.
- Pros: Maintains content premiere timeline and distribution deals, allows production with verified clean editorial systems, provides time for comprehensive content theft investigation and celebrity privacy assessment, demonstrates sophisticated risk management balancing media operations with security priorities.
- Cons: Proceeds with partially verified environment creating reputational and legal risk, requires sustained verification and monitoring of Mac-iOS systems during active premieres, extended investigation while content is live with audiences, depends on isolation effectiveness and assumption clean segment protects celebrity privacy adequately.
- Type Effectiveness: Partially effective against Trojan malmon type; addresses immediate premiere requirements through isolation, but extended malware presence creates ongoing content theft risk and potential for celebrity privacy compromise if isolation fails during active content distribution.
Lunch & Learn Materials (75-90 min, 2 rounds)
Session Structure
Total Time: 75-90 minutes Investigation Rounds: 2 rounds (30 min each) Decision Points: 2 major decisions Complexity: Moderate - comprehensive media environment investigation with celebrity privacy coordination
Round 1: Cross-Platform Media Infection Discovery (30 minutes)
Investigation Clues (Time-Stamped)
T+0 Minutes - Opening Scene: “Thursday morning, 9:00 AM. Digital Media Corp is 60 hours from premiering exclusive celebrity interviews across streaming platforms - three A-list talents representing $8M in distribution deals. Senior Editor Amanda Foster notices her Mac editing workstation syncing media files unexpectedly to her production iPhone. Other editors report similar behavior: exclusive celebrity footage being accessed across devices, editing projects modified without authorization, confidential content appearing to copy across multiple platforms.”
T+5 Minutes - Detective Investigation: “Forensic analysis reveals compromised video editing plugins downloaded from third-party creative software sites. Timeline shows infection starting five weeks ago when editors sought ‘professional’ color grading and effects capabilities. Cross-platform trojan identified targeting Mac-iOS media workflows. Question: What forensic evidence would confirm celebrity content exfiltration?”
T+10 Minutes - Protector System Analysis: “Media production security scan shows malware bypassing both Mac Gatekeeper and iOS content protection. Celebrity content monitoring reveals unauthorized access to confidential interview footage and personal information across three A-list talents. Distribution platform assessment shows cross-platform compromise of streaming credentials. Question: How do you verify which celebrity materials have been exposed?”
T+15 Minutes - Tracker Network Investigation: “Network logs show Mac editing workstations establishing unauthorized connections when iPhones sync for mobile review. AirDrop traffic analysis reveals automatic file transfers during normal editorial workflows. External connections suggest media exfiltration to tabloid-associated IP addresses. Question: How do you map complete infection spread across production teams?”
T+20 Minutes - Communicator Stakeholder Interviews: “Senior Editor Amanda: ‘We downloaded professional plugins offering advanced effects not available in official stores.’ IT Manager Lisa: ‘Mac-iOS integration is essential for remote content review and celebrity approval sessions.’ Legal Counsel Michael: ‘Celebrity contracts include severe penalties for privacy breaches. Any leak triggers multi-million dollar lawsuits.’ Question: How do you balance production capabilities with security verification?”
T+25 Minutes - First Pressure Event: “Production Director Robert discovers preliminary analysis suggests celebrity interview content may have been exfiltrated to tabloid media. He’s considering whether to notify talent representatives immediately or complete investigation first. Major celebrity has strict privacy clauses with immediate lawsuit triggers for any breach.”
Response Options - Round 1 Decision
Option A: Immediate Celebrity & Distribution Partner Notification - Notify all three celebrity representatives and streaming platforms immediately about potential content exposure - Freeze all premiere launches pending complete privacy investigation - Begin comprehensive Mac-iOS malware removal across media environment - Pros: Maintains contractual compliance and talent trust, ensures complete investigation without premiere pressure - Cons: Triggers immediate contract review and potential cancellations, creates talent alarm about privacy, allows tabloids with stolen content to potentially leak first, 2-3 week delay affects $8M deals - Type Effectiveness: Super effective against Trojan malmon type
Option B: Accelerated 60-Hour Investigation & Conditional Premiere - Conduct intensive content theft analysis within premiere timeline - Implement emergency Mac-iOS isolation and verification protocols - Coordinate with partners about “technical review” without privacy disclosure - Pros: Balances premiere timeline with privacy investigation, maintains partner confidence - Cons: Compressed timeline risks incomplete breach assessment, proceeds with uncertainty - Type Effectiveness: Moderately effective against Trojan malmon type
Option C: Selective Editorial Team Isolation & Phased Response - Isolate confirmed infected editorial teams from distribution workflows - Use verified clean editorial segment to complete premieres - Investigate compromised segment while maintaining premiere timeline - Pros: Maintains premiere schedule and relationships, allows investigation with reduced pressure - Cons: Proceeds with partial verification creating exposure risk - Type Effectiveness: Partially effective against Trojan malmon type
Facilitation Questions - Round 1
For Investigation Phase: - “How do you determine which celebrity content has been accessed versus potentially at risk?” - “What forensic evidence would prove Mac-to-iOS propagation through media review workflows?”
For Decision Phase: - “How do you communicate privacy incidents to celebrities without causing panic?” - “What verification would prove celebrity content is safe for premiere?”
Round 2: Celebrity Privacy Protection & Distribution Management (30 minutes)
Investigation Clues (Time-Stamped)
T+30 Minutes - Evolving Situation: “Based on Round 1 decision, situation develops. If immediate notification: celebrities threatening lawsuit and contract cancellation. If accelerated investigation: editorial teams discovering deeper infection. If selective isolation: isolated systems revealing systematic content theft during investigation.”
T+35 Minutes - Celebrity Content Exfiltration Analysis: “Forensic review reveals systematic access to three exclusive celebrity interviews: unreleased personal revelations, confidential contract negotiations, sensitive family discussions. Months of relationship building compromised. Data sent to tabloid-associated servers. Content could be leaked publicly destroying premiere impact and exposing company to lawsuits.”
T+40 Minutes - Cross-Platform Infection Depth: “IT Manager Lisa reports 25 Mac workstations and 40 production iPhones compromised. Malware exploited AirDrop and USB sync during normal content review. Media collaboration workflow enabled rapid cross-platform propagation. Complete environment rebuild required for certainty.”
T+45 Minutes - Celebrity Pressure Escalation: “Major celebrity representative calls: ‘Our interview premieres in 48 hours. Either guarantee privacy is protected and premiere proceeds, OR we’re pulling content and suing for damages. You have 4 hours to provide absolute assurance.’ $3M deal at immediate risk.”
T+50 Minutes - Distribution Platform Threat: “Streaming partners discovering security concerns. Distribution credentials potentially compromised. Premiere schedule at risk. Competitors positioning for celebrity relationships during crisis.”
T+55 Minutes - Second Pressure Event: “Production Director Robert must decide: proceed with premieres using accelerated verification, delay all premieres for complete privacy protection, or attempt selective premiere with highest-confidence clean systems. Each option has significant business and legal implications.”
Response Options - Round 2 Decision
Option A: Complete Environment Rebuild & Rescheduled Premieres - Rebuild entire media environment with new Mac-iOS security protocols - Negotiate premiere reschedule with all talents (2-3 weeks) - Implement comprehensive celebrity privacy protection - Pros: Guarantees malware elimination and privacy protection - Cons: Delays affect $8M deals, potential cancellations - Type Effectiveness: Super effective against Trojan malmon type
Option B: Verified Segment Premiere & Parallel Remediation - Premiere using most thoroughly verified systems - Continue malware removal in parallel - Implement enhanced monitoring during premieres - Pros: Maintains critical relationships, balances security with business continuity - Cons: Proceeds with some uncertainty - Type Effectiveness: Moderately effective against Trojan malmon type
Option C: Strategic Talent Prioritization & Phased Security - Premiere highest-value celebrity with maximum verification - Delay other premieres for additional investigation - Coordinate staggered releases aligned with confidence - Pros: Protects most critical relationship - Cons: Creates perception inequity - Type Effectiveness: Partially effective against Trojan malmon type
Victory Conditions
Technical Success: - ✅ Cross-platform trojan identified and Mac-iOS infection mechanisms understood - ✅ Media environment security restored or rebuild plan established
Business Success: - ✅ Critical celebrity relationships preserved - ✅ Premieres executed or rescheduled with confidence maintained
Learning Success: - ✅ Team understands cross-platform malware in media environments - ✅ Participants recognize creative software supply chain risks
Debrief Topics
Technical Discussion: - Cross-platform malware propagation through Mac-iOS media workflows - Third-party video editing plugin supply chain risks
Business Impact: - Celebrity privacy obligations and exclusive content protection - Premiere timeline pressures versus security verification
Decision Analysis: - Trade-offs between immediate notification and investigation completion - Strategic talent prioritization under security constraints
Full Game Materials (120-140 min, 3 rounds)
Session Structure
Total Time: 120-140 minutes Investigation Rounds: 3 rounds (30-35 min each) Decision Points: 3 major decisions with escalating complexity Complexity: High - complete media company breach response with multi-talent coordination
(Following the established pattern from previous scenarios, Round 1 would include: Initial cross-platform infection discovery with detailed forensic analysis across 25 Mac workstations and 40 iPhones, celebrity privacy contract implications, tabloid intelligence gathering angle, distribution platform credential compromise. Round 2: Comprehensive celebrity content exfiltration analysis with specific personal revelations and contract negotiations exposed, differential talent response based on privacy requirements, competitive media company positioning during crisis. Round 3: Long-term media security architecture, talent relationship rebuilding, industry reputation management, potential new talent acquisition requiring demonstrated privacy competence.)
Key Full Game Elements
Round 1: Mac-iOS infection discovery, celebrity privacy assessment, tabloid threat intelligence, premiere decision pressure Round 2: Content theft scope analysis, differential talent management, distribution platform security, competitive positioning Round 3: Long-term media security, talent trust rebuilding, industry leadership positioning
Victory Conditions
Technical Success: - ✅ Cross-platform trojan eliminated with comprehensive verification - ✅ Mac-iOS media workflow security architecture implemented
Business Success: - ✅ Celebrity relationships preserved through professional incident management - ✅ Premieres executed successfully or rescheduled with confidence - ✅ Competitive positioning maintained despite content theft
Learning Success: - ✅ Team demonstrates sophisticated decision-making balancing security, media operations, and talent relationships - ✅ Creative software supply chain risks clearly understood
Advanced Challenge Materials (150-170 min, 3+ rounds)
Session Structure
Total Time: 150-170 minutes Investigation Rounds: 4 rounds (30-35 min each) Complexity: Expert - complete media company crisis with multi-dimensional celebrity management Expert Elements: Celebrity privacy law complexity, tabloid intelligence operations, media industry competitive dynamics
Enhanced Setup
Pre-Game Context: “Digital Media Corp specializes in exclusive celebrity content. Three A-list interviews premiere Monday representing $8M in distribution deals (50% of quarterly revenue). Recent media consolidation means aggressive competition for talent relationships. Mac-iOS integrated workflow enables flexible production but creates privacy vulnerabilities. Company considering acquisition by major streaming platform - security incident could impact deal.”
Role-Specific Confidential Information: - Detective: Preliminary forensics suggest infection timing coincides with competitor hiring away senior producer - potential insider threat - Protector: Celebrity contracts include $5M+ penalties for privacy breaches with career-ending NDA violations - Tracker: Intelligence suggesting tabloid connections to exfiltration servers - potential paid espionage versus random malware - Communicator: Celebrity A already considering competitor for future projects - incident could trigger immediate departure
Key Advanced Challenge Elements
Round 1: Initial infection discovery with insider threat angle, acquisition disclosure decision, celebrity legal coordination, tabloid espionage confirmation Round 2: Celebrity content breach including career-damaging personal revelations, differential talent response, acquisition impact assessment, competitive talent poaching Round 3: Operational execution outcomes, real-time premiere monitoring, tabloid leak threats, acquisition decision point Round 4: Long-term strategic recovery, media industry positioning (privacy leader vs. content leader), talent portfolio evolution, company identity
Complete Victory Conditions
Technical Mastery: - ✅ Cross-platform trojan eliminated, Mac-iOS security architecture implemented, talent content verified secure
Business Excellence: - ✅ Celebrity relationships preserved, premieres executed successfully, competitive positioning strengthened
Learning & Development: - ✅ Sophisticated understanding of cross-platform malware in media contexts, mastery of multi-talent crisis coordination
Strategic Outcomes: - ✅ Company identity established, industry reputation recovered, long-term sustainability secured
Comprehensive Debrief Topics
Technical Deep Dive: - Cross-platform malware in Mac-iOS media workflows, video editing plugin supply chain risks
Media Impact Analysis: - Celebrity privacy obligations, premiere timeline pressures, media competitive dynamics
Strategic Decision Framework: - Celebrity notification timing, acquisition decision-making under crisis, long-term positioning evolution
Crisis Management Principles: - Multi-talent coordination, cascading consequences, real-time decision-making under incomplete information
Industry Lessons: - Media company security challenges, creative software supply chain vulnerabilities, privacy as competitive differentiator