Litter Drifter News Media Network - Planning Guide

Litter Drifter News Media Network

Complete preparation guide for media espionage scenario

Comprehensive facilitation guidance for Litter Drifter News Media Network featuring USB-propagating nation-state worm, journalist surveillance, confidential source protection, and geopolitical targeting of press freedom during information warfare.


1. Quick Reference

Element Details
Malmon Litter Drifter (Bug/Flying dual-type)
Difficulty Tier Tier 3 (Expert)
Scenario Variant Nation-State: Independent News Media
Organizational Context Independent Media Network: 150 journalists, conflict zone reporting, investigative journalism
Primary Stakes Press freedom + Source protection + Information integrity + Journalist safety
Recommended Formats Full Game / Advanced Challenge
Essential NPCs Alexandra Kuznetsova (Editor-in-Chief), Mark Thompson (Cybersecurity Consultant), Sofia Petrov (Investigative Journalist)
Optional NPCs Dr. Michael Rodriguez (Digital Security Trainer), Press Freedom Advocate, Information Warfare Analyst

Scenario Hook

Independent Media is preparing Thursday investigative report on conflict zones when newsroom discovers USB malware targeting journalists covering Ukrainian conflictsβ€”nation-state espionage worm collects intelligence on news sources, journalist communications, and editorial operations for information warfare.

Victory Condition

Team identifies USB-propagating nation-state surveillance through removable media analysis, protects confidential sources and journalist communications from continued intelligence collection, ensures information integrity and press freedom, and maintains investigative reporting while addressing geopolitical targeting of media operations.


2-12. [Complete Planning Document Structure]

Opening: β€œIt’s Tuesday morning at Independent Media Network. Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Kuznetsova is finalizing major investigative report on Ukrainian conflict for Thursday publication. But Investigative Journalist Sofia Petrov reports receiving suspicious USB devices from conflict zone contacts. Cybersecurity analysis reveals sophisticated nation-state worm specifically targeting media organizations covering Ukrainian conflicts. Foreign intelligence is systematically collecting data on confidential sources, journalist communications, and editorial operations for information warfare objectives.”

Key NPCs:

  • Alexandra Kuznetsova: Editor-in-chief balancing investigative journalism with source protection
  • Mark Thompson: Cybersecurity consultant protecting media organization from nation-state targeting
  • Sofia Petrov: Investigative journalist with compromised confidential source communications

Response Options:

  • USB device isolation and journalist digital security protocols (DC 12)
  • Confidential source protection and secure communication systems (DC 13)
  • Publication decision under nation-state surveillance and information warfare pressure (DC 15)

Learning Objectives:

  • USB malware detection in media environments
  • Journalist digital safety and source protection
  • Nation-state targeting of press freedom during information warfare
  • Investigative journalism under hostile surveillance
  • Press freedom ethics and information integrity

MITRE ATT&CK:

  • T1091 (Removable Media Replication), T1025 (Data from Removable Media), T1114 (Email Collection - Sources)

Notes for IM Customization

What worked well:

What to modify next time:

Creative player solutions:

Timing adjustments: