GaboonGrabber Complete Session Walkthrough

Session Overview

This walkthrough demonstrates a complete session using GaboonGrabber with a mixed-expertise group. Commentary explains IM decision-making and techniques throughout.

Group Profile

Sarah: IT Support, 3 years experience → Detective
Marcus: Software Developer, security-curious → Protector
Alex: Network Admin, school district → Tracker
Jamie: Risk Management, financial services → Communicator

Organization Context

MedTech Solutions: 200-employee healthcare technology company developing patient management software.

Pre-Session Setup

IM Preparation Used

Organization: Healthcare tech (familiar to mixed groups)
Malmon: GaboonGrabber (perfect for beginners, clear progression)
Symptoms: Software update emails + slow performance + pop-ups
Materials: Cards, dice, whiteboard, timer ready

IM Mental Note: Group has good mix of technical/business. Should work well with social engineering + technical evasion combination.

Opening: Setup Phase

Welcome and Energy Setting

IM: “Welcome everyone! I’m [Name] and for the next couple of hours, you’re going to become an incident response team facing a real cybersecurity crisis. This isn’t a lecture - you’ll be the experts solving problems together.”

IM Note: Good energy from group - people look interested and alert.

Expertise Discovery

IM: “Let’s go around quickly - first name and one thing you know about computers or cybersecurity.”

Sarah: “I’m Sarah, I work IT support at a hospital. I see weird user problems all day and deal with security software alerts.”

Marcus: “Marcus, I’m a software developer. Mostly web apps, but I’ve had to deal with some security vulnerabilities in my code.”

Alex: “Alex, network administrator for a school district. I spend a lot of time managing firewalls and monitoring network traffic.”

Jamie: “Jamie - I’m in compliance and risk management for a bank. I deal with the business side of cybersecurity incidents and regulatory requirements.”

IM Note: Perfect mix! Clear role assignments obvious. Sarah=Detective (troubleshooting), Marcus=Protector (systems), Alex=Tracker (networks), Jamie=Communicator (business).

Role Assignment

IM: “Excellent backgrounds! Based on what you’ve shared:”

“Sarah, your IT support experience makes you perfect for Detective - finding clues when things go wrong”
“Marcus, with your development background, you’d be great as Protector - understanding and securing systems”
“Alex, your network experience is ideal for Tracker - monitoring data flows and network patterns”
“Jamie, your risk management background makes you perfect as Communicator - stakeholder management and business impact”

Group: General agreement and interest in assigned roles

IM Note: No resistance to assignments - good sign. Everyone seems comfortable with their role.

Character Development

IM: “Now develop your character around your real name and role. Think about: What’s your work obsession? Why do you care about protecting this organization? What would devastate you if compromised?”

Characters Developed:

Sarah: “I’m obsessed with log patterns and notice things others miss. I’ve seen how breaches hurt patients.”
Marcus: “These systems are like my children - I take attacks personally. Patient safety depends on our code.”
Alex: “I visualize our network like a subway map. Healthcare data leaks destroy lives.”
Jamie: “I translate tech chaos into business language. HIPAA violations could shut us down.”

IM Note: Great character buy-in! Everyone connecting personally to healthcare context.

Crisis Setup

IM: “The emergency alarm just went off at MedTech Solutions. You’re rushing to the situation room. Here’s what we know:”

“Multiple users across all three locations report computers running 30% slower since yesterday”
“Help desk received 5 calls about unexpected pop-ups appearing”
“At least one user mentioned receiving a ‘critical software update’ email yesterday afternoon”
“Patient data access times are significantly slower than normal”

Three-Track Status Introduction

IM: “We’ll track your incident response across three dimensions:”

“🛡️ Network Security (100): Technical security of your systems”
“⚡ IR Effectiveness (100): How well you work together as a team”
“🏢 Business Operations (100): Operational continuity and stakeholder confidence”

“Each track starts at 100. Your decisions and discoveries will affect these scores. Each of you gets 2 actions per round.”

IM Note: Introducing three-track system helps group understand they’re managing complexity beyond just “stopping the bad guys”

Round 1: Discovery Phase

Crisis Presentation

IM Note: Group looks engaged and slightly concerned - good emotional investment in scenario.

Individual Investigation

Sarah (Detective) - Action 1

IM: “Sarah, your IT support instincts are tingling. Multiple users with similar symptoms - what’s your first move?”

Sarah: “I want to check system logs from yesterday afternoon, especially around the time those software update emails went out. Looking for unusual process executions.”

IM: “Roll d20 for log analysis.”
Sarah rolls 16 (+1 for Detective role consistency)

IM: “Excellent detective work. You find several instances of ‘SecurityUpdate.exe’ running from temp directories on different machines, all starting around 3:30 PM yesterday. The names are slightly different - SecurityUpdate.exe, Security_Update.exe, SecurityUpdater.exe.”

IM Note: Perfect! Sarah’s real experience shows - she knew exactly what to check. Building evidence toward GaboonGrabber’s deception techniques.

Sarah (Detective) - Action 2

Sarah: “That’s definitely suspicious - legitimate updates don’t run from temp folders with inconsistent naming. I want to examine one of these executables more closely.”

IM: “What would you look for when examining a potentially malicious executable?”

Sarah: “File properties, digital signatures, maybe run it through VirusTotal if we have it isolated safely.”

IM: “Roll for malware analysis.”
Sarah rolls 13 (+1 for expertise)

IM: “The file has no valid digital signature and VirusTotal shows 3/70 detections with generic names like ‘Trojan.Generic.’ More concerning - it’s a heavily obfuscated .NET executable, suggesting sophisticated evasion techniques.”

IM Note: Sarah’s building the technical foundation perfectly. Time to get network perspective.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 1

IM: “Alex, you’re hearing about these suspicious executables. Your network admin instincts are kicking in - what do you want to track?”

Alex: “I want to check our network monitoring for any unusual outbound connections from the affected machines, especially around 3:30 PM yesterday and ongoing.”

IM: “Smart thinking. Roll d20 for network traffic analysis.”
Alex rolls 11 (+1 for network expertise)

IM: “You discover multiple machines making regular HTTPS connections to what appears to be a legitimate cloud storage service - dropbox-enterprise.com. But the timing is suspicious - these connections started right after the suspicious executables ran and occur every 15 minutes.”

IM Note: Perfect setup for GaboonGrabber’s data exfiltration behavior. Alex is naturally thinking like a network admin.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 2

Alex: “That’s classic command and control behavior, but using legitimate services to hide. I want to analyze the data volume and patterns of these connections.”

IM: “Excellent instinct. Roll for traffic pattern analysis.”
Alex rolls 18 (+1 for role consistency)

IM: “Outstanding analysis! You discover the connections are uploading small encrypted files every 15 minutes - roughly 50-200KB each. The destinations vary but follow a pattern: dropbox-enterprise.com, drive-business.com, onedrive-corp.com. All look legitimate but feel wrong.”

IM Note: Alex is naturally building on Sarah’s findings. Great team dynamic emerging.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 1

IM: “Marcus, you’re hearing about malicious executables running on your systems. Your developer instincts are screaming - what’s your protective response?”

Marcus: “I want to immediately isolate the affected systems from the network to prevent further damage or data theft. We can’t let this spread.”

IM: “Protective instincts! Roll d20 for system isolation.”
Marcus rolls 14 (+1 for system thinking)

IM: “You successfully isolate 8 identified systems, but this creates a new problem - 3 of them are critical patient data entry workstations. The isolation is protecting the network but disrupting patient care operations.”

IM Note: Perfect! Marcus is thinking like a developer - protect the systems first. This creates realistic operational tension.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 2

Marcus: “That’s a tough call, but patient safety comes first. I want to set up a clean, isolated environment where we can restore critical patient access while keeping the infected systems contained for analysis.”

IM: “Great systems thinking. Roll for emergency system restoration.”
Marcus rolls 9 (+1 for technical approach)

IM: “You manage to restore 2 of the 3 critical workstations using clean backup images, but it’s time-consuming work. The third station needs specialized patient monitoring software that will take hours to reconfigure properly.”

IM Note: Marcus is balancing security and operations perfectly. This is exactly the kind of thinking we want to encourage.

First Track Status Update

IM: “Let’s update our three-track status based on your discoveries and actions:”

“🛡️ Network Security: 85 (-15 for confirmed malware presence and ongoing data exfiltration)”
“⚡ IR Effectiveness: 105 (+5 for excellent role coordination and logical investigation sequence)”
“🏢 Business Operations: 90 (-10 for patient care workstation disruption)”

IM Note: Perfect time for first update - shows how good teamwork can maintain high IR effectiveness even when facing security challenges. The business impact from protective isolation creates realistic tension.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 1

IM: “Jamie, you’re watching this technical crisis unfold. Your risk management background is telling you this needs immediate business attention - what’s your first communication move?”

Jamie: “I need to assess the potential scope of this breach. Before I alert executives, I want to understand what data might be at risk and what our regulatory obligations are.”

IM: “Risk assessment first - smart approach. Roll d20 for impact analysis.”
Jamie rolls 12 (+1 for business thinking)

IM: “Based on the affected systems, you identify potential exposure of patient appointment data, billing information, and possibly treatment records. Under HIPAA, we have 60 days to report breaches affecting 500+ individuals, but we need to determine scope first.”

IM Note: Jamie is thinking like a real compliance officer. This adds authentic business pressure.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 2

Jamie: “Given the potential HIPAA implications, I need to notify our Chief Privacy Officer and legal team immediately. I also want to prepare a holding statement for staff who might be asking questions.”

IM: “Excellent crisis communication thinking. Roll for stakeholder notification.”
Jamie rolls 15 (+1 for communication expertise)

IM: “You successfully brief the CPO and legal team. Legal advises documenting everything for potential breach notification requirements. You also prepare a staff message: ‘We’re investigating a technical issue affecting some systems. Patient care continues normally. Please report any unusual computer behavior immediately.’”

IM Note: Jamie is naturally handling the business side while others focus on technical response. Perfect role balance.

Round 1 Synthesis and Status Update

IM: “Let’s pause and share what everyone discovered, then update our three-track status.”

Information Sharing:

Sarah: “We have malware disguised as security updates, running from temp folders with evasion techniques”
Alex: “It’s exfiltrating data every 15 minutes to fake legitimate cloud services”
Marcus: “I’ve isolated infected systems but disrupted patient care operations”
Jamie: “We’re facing potential HIPAA violations and need to prepare for possible breach notification”

Round 1 Final Track Status

IM: “Based on your discoveries and coordination, here’s our current status:”

“🛡️ Network Security: 75 (-10 more for confirming ongoing data exfiltration scope)”
“⚡ IR Effectiveness: 110 (+5 more for excellent information sharing and role coordination)”
“🏢 Business Operations: 85 (-5 more for HIPAA compliance concerns but +5 for proactive legal notification)”

IM: “Notice how your excellent teamwork is keeping IR Effectiveness high even as the technical and business challenges mount. This shows the value of coordinated incident response.”

IM Note: This demonstrates how the three tracks can move independently - technical situation worsening while team effectiveness improves. Creates educational moment about collaboration value.

IM: “You’ve identified this as sophisticated malware with social engineering, technical evasion, and ongoing data theft. What’s your team strategy for response?”

Technical Analysis: MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

IM Note: This is a good moment to introduce the ATT&CK framework if the group is ready for it, connecting their discoveries to standardized threat intelligence.

🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Technique Analysis

Technique	Tactic	Description	Mitigation	Detection
T1566.001 Spearphishing Attachment	Initial Access	GaboonGrabber spreads via convincing phishing emails with malicious attachments	Email security controls, user training, attachment scanning	Email analysis, attachment behavior monitoring, user reporting
T1057 Process Discovery	Discovery	Identifies running processes to understand system state and security tools	Process monitoring, system hardening, security tool protection	Process enumeration monitoring, security tool alerting
T1547.001 Registry Run Keys/Startup Folder	Persistence	Establishes persistence through registry modifications and startup mechanisms	Registry monitoring, startup item control, system hardening	Registry monitoring, startup enumeration, persistence scanning
T1204.002 Malicious File	Execution	Users execute the malicious payload believing it to be a legitimate software update	Application control, user education, execution policy	Process monitoring, execution logging, behavioral analysis
T1083 File and Directory Discovery	Discovery	Enumerates files and directories to identify valuable data for collection	File system monitoring, access controls, principle of least privilege	File access monitoring, unusual enumeration patterns, audit logs
T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel	Exfiltration	Sends collected data to attacker-controlled servers via command and control channels	Network monitoring, egress filtering, traffic analysis	Network traffic analysis, C2 communication patterns, data flow monitoring
T1005 Data from Local System	Collection	Collects sensitive data from infected systems for exfiltration	Data loss prevention, access controls, file monitoring	File access monitoring, data collection patterns, DLP alerts
T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information	Defense Evasion	Uses obfuscated .NET code and encrypted payloads to evade detection	Code analysis tools, behavioral detection, sandboxing	Static analysis, entropy analysis, deobfuscation tools
T1055 Process Injection	Defense Evasion	Injects malicious code into legitimate processes to hide execution	Process monitoring, memory protection, behavioral analysis	Process behavior monitoring, memory analysis, API monitoring

IM Facilitation Notes:

Use these techniques to guide player investigation questions
Help players connect evidence to specific ATT&CK techniques
Highlight type effectiveness relationships in responses
Encourage discussion of real-world mitigation strategies

Group Discussion: Brief natural discussion about stopping the data theft vs. understanding the scope

IM Note: Perfect transition moment. Group is engaged and building on each other’s discoveries naturally.

Round 2: Response Phase

Strategic Planning

IM: “The situation is escalating. The malware is actively stealing data and you’ve disrupted operations. Current status - Network Security: 75, IR Effectiveness: 110, Business Operations: 85. What’s your team strategy?”

Natural group discussion emerges:

Sarah: “We need to understand what data has already been stolen”
Marcus: “I want to block those fake cloud domains at the firewall”
Alex: “Can we trace where this email campaign came from?”
Jamie: “I need to know if we’re past the breach notification threshold”

IM Note: Group is self-organizing around priorities. Good collaborative dynamic.

Coordinated Response

Sarah (Detective) - Action 1

Sarah: “I want to analyze what files the malware has accessed. If we can determine what data was stolen, it’ll help Jamie with the breach assessment.”

IM: “Smart forensic approach. Roll d20 for data access analysis.”
Sarah rolls 17 (+1 for investigative consistency)

IM: “Excellent forensics! You discover the malware specifically targeted files containing ‘patient’, ‘medical’, ‘billing’, and ‘insurance’ in filenames or metadata. It’s been active for 36 hours and has accessed approximately 2,400 patient records.”

IM Note: Sarah is building the evidence Jamie needs. Perfect team coordination.

Sarah (Detective) - Action 2

Sarah: “That’s definitely breach territory. I want to check if this malware has any additional capabilities we haven’t discovered yet - keyloggers, credential theft, remote access.”

IM: “Thorough investigation. Roll for advanced malware analysis.”
Sarah rolls 8 (+1 for expertise)

IM: “You find evidence of keylogging capabilities and discover the malware has been capturing login credentials. However, the analysis is incomplete - the malware’s obfuscation is sophisticated and you need more time for full reverse engineering.”

IM Note: Lower roll creates realistic constraint. Sarah can’t solve everything perfectly.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 1

Marcus: “Based on Alex’s findings, I want to block those fake cloud domains at the firewall level to stop the data exfiltration immediately.”

IM: “Protective action! Roll d20 for firewall blocking.”
Marcus rolls 13 (+1 for systems approach)

IM: “You successfully block the known domains, and the data exfiltration stops immediately. However, 10 minutes later, you notice the malware is attempting connections to new domains with similar patterns - it’s adapting to your countermeasures.”

IM Note: Marcus succeeded but GaboonGrabber is showing its adaptive nature. This creates ongoing tension.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 2

Marcus: “This thing is adapting faster than we can block domains. I want to implement application-level blocking - prevent any executable from making outbound HTTPS connections unless it’s on an approved whitelist.”

IM: “Advanced protective thinking! Roll for application control implementation.”
Marcus rolls 16 (+1 for sophisticated approach)

IM: “Brilliant solution! You implement application-level controls that effectively stop the malware’s communication. However, this also blocks some legitimate business applications, and you’re getting complaints from users about restricted internet access.”

IM Note: Marcus is showing real security thinking - effective but with operational consequences.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 1

Alex: “I want to trace the source of those malicious emails. Maybe we can identify the attack vector and see if other organizations were targeted.”

IM: “Email investigation! Roll d20 for email forensics.”
Alex rolls 14 (+1 for network analysis)

IM: “You trace the emails to a compromised legitimate healthcare supplier’s email system - MedSupply Pro. The attackers used their existing email relationships to make the ‘security update’ seem credible. This suggests a targeted campaign against healthcare organizations.”

IM Note: Alex is building the bigger picture. This reveals GaboonGrabber’s social engineering sophistication.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 2

Alex: “That’s sophisticated targeting. I want to check if we have any other systems or email accounts that might have been compromised through this same vector.”

IM: “Comprehensive analysis. Roll for network-wide compromise assessment.”
Alex rolls 11 (+1 for systematic approach)

IM: “You discover 3 additional systems showing similar indicators of compromise, but these appear to be recent infections - likely from users who clicked the malicious links today after hearing about the ‘security update’ from colleagues.”

IM Note: Alex found the human element - people sharing the malicious ‘update’ internally. Realistic scenario complexity.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 1

Jamie: “With Sarah’s data showing 2,400 compromised records, we’re definitely in breach notification territory. I need to initiate formal breach response procedures and notify our incident response legal team.”

IM: “Regulatory compliance action. Roll d20 for breach response procedures.”
Jamie rolls 15 (+1 for compliance expertise)

IM: “You successfully initiate formal breach procedures. Legal confirms we have 60 days for HIPAA notification but recommends faster action for reputation management. They’re preparing breach notification templates and coordinating with our cyber insurance carrier.”

IM Note: Jamie is handling the business side expertly. This adds realistic regulatory pressure.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 2

Jamie: “I need to prepare stakeholder communications. Different messages for: affected patients, all staff, executive leadership, and potentially media if this becomes public.”

IM: “Multi-level crisis communication. Roll for stakeholder communication strategy.”
Jamie rolls 12 (+1 for communication planning)

IM: “You develop a comprehensive communication strategy. Executive briefing scheduled for 2 hours. Patient notification letters drafted pending final scope assessment. Staff talking points prepared. However, you discover 2 local news outlets are already asking questions about ‘technical issues’ at MedTech.”

IM Note: Jamie is thinking like a real crisis communicator. The media attention adds realistic external pressure.

Round 2 Synthesis

IM: “Network Security Status is now at 70. You’ve stopped the active data theft but discovered the full scope of the breach. Let’s share updates:”

Information Sharing:

Sarah: “2,400 patient records compromised, malware has keylogging capabilities”
Marcus: “Data exfiltration stopped but with operational disruption. Malware was adapting to our countermeasures”
Alex: “Attack came from compromised healthcare supplier, targeting multiple organizations. Found 3 additional infected systems”
Jamie: “Formal breach procedures initiated, 60-day notification deadline, media starting to ask questions”

IM: “The immediate crisis is contained, but you’re dealing with breach aftermath and media pressure. What’s your priority for the final phase?”

Group Discussion: Natural discussion about balancing technical cleanup with business recovery

IM Note: Group has moved from crisis response to recovery planning. Perfect progression.

Round 3: Recovery Phase

Final Strategy

IM: “Final round. Media pressure is building, you have regulatory deadlines, and normal operations need to resume. Network Security Status: 70. What’s your endgame?”

Group Discussion: Quick strategic alignment around priorities

Recovery Actions

Sarah (Detective) - Action 1

Sarah: “I want to complete the forensic analysis to give Jamie exactly what data was stolen for the breach notification. Need to be precise about which patient records were accessed.”

IM: “Forensic precision. Roll d20 for detailed data breach assessment.”
Sarah rolls 19 (+1 for investigative thoroughness)

IM: “Outstanding forensics! You provide exact details: 2,387 patient records accessed, including names, addresses, medical record numbers, and treatment dates. No Social Security numbers or detailed medical information was stolen. This precision will significantly help with breach notification requirements.”

IM Note: Sarah’s high roll gives the group exactly what they need for business recovery.

Sarah (Detective) - Action 2

Sarah: “I want to create a comprehensive technical report documenting the entire attack chain for legal and insurance purposes. This will be crucial for any potential legal proceedings.”

IM: “Professional documentation. Roll for technical report creation.” Sarah rolls 16 (+1 for systematic approach)

IM: “You create a detailed technical report documenting the attack timeline, techniques used, and organizational response. This professional documentation will be valuable for insurance claims, legal proceedings, and improving future security posture.”

IM Note: Sarah is thinking about long-term organizational needs. Excellent professional thinking.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 1

Marcus: “I need to safely restore normal operations while maintaining security. I want to implement a staged approach to bring systems back online with enhanced monitoring.”

IM: “Operational restoration. Roll d20 for secure system recovery.”
Marcus rolls 15 (+1 for balanced approach)

IM: “You successfully restore critical patient systems with additional security monitoring. Operations are returning to normal, but with enhanced logging and application controls that will help prevent future attacks.”

IM Note: Marcus is balancing security with operations perfectly. This shows mature thinking.

Marcus (Protector) - Action 2

Marcus: “I want to implement an emergency incident response plan for future attacks. This experience showed we need better coordination between technical and business teams.”

IM: “Organizational improvement. Roll for incident response planning.”
Marcus rolls 11 (+1 for systematic thinking)

IM: “You draft an improved incident response plan with clear roles and communication protocols. However, implementing this across the organization will require training and management buy-in that will take time to achieve.”

IM Note: Marcus is thinking about organizational learning, but realistic constraints apply.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 1

Alex: “I want to coordinate with other healthcare organizations to share information about this attack. If we were targeted, others probably were too.”

IM: “Information sharing. Roll d20 for industry coordination.”
Alex rolls 13 (+1 for community thinking)

IM: “You connect with the Healthcare Information Sharing and Analysis Center (H-ISAC) and discover 6 other healthcare organizations experienced similar attacks in the past week. Your technical details help them issue a broader threat advisory.”

IM Note: Alex is thinking beyond the organization - great industry perspective.

Alex (Tracker) - Action 2

Alex: “I want to implement enhanced network monitoring to detect similar attacks faster in the future. This attack was active for 36 hours before detection.”

IM: “Proactive monitoring. Roll for enhanced detection implementation.” Alex rolls 17 (+1 for network expertise)

IM: “You implement sophisticated network monitoring that would have detected this attack within 2 hours instead of 36. The new systems monitor for data exfiltration patterns and suspicious executables network behavior.”

IM Note: Alex is learning from the incident to improve future detection. Perfect professional response.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 1

Jamie: “I need to execute the patient notification plan. With Sarah’s precise data, I can provide accurate information to affected patients and demonstrate organizational responsibility.”

IM: “Patient notification execution. Roll d20 for breach communication.”
Jamie rolls 18 (+1 for prepared communication)

IM: “Exceptional communication! Your precise, honest, and proactive patient notifications actually enhance organizational reputation. Patients appreciate the transparency and detailed information about what was and wasn’t compromised.”

IM Note: Jamie’s high roll with good preparation shows how effective crisis communication can actually build trust.

Jamie (Communicator) - Action 2

Jamie: “I want to coordinate with our cyber insurance carrier to ensure proper claim documentation and potentially recover some of the incident response costs.”

IM: “Insurance coordination. Roll for claim management.”
Jamie rolls 14 (+1 for business thinking)

IM: “You successfully coordinate with insurance, and your team’s documentation helps secure coverage for most incident response costs. The insurance carrier is also pleased with your proactive approach to breach management.”

IM Note: Jamie is thinking about financial recovery and organizational sustainability.

Final Synthesis and Track Status

IM: “Let’s hear final status from each role, then assess our three-track performance:”

Final Status Reports:

Sarah: “Complete forensic analysis provided exact breach scope. Technical documentation ready for legal and insurance purposes.”
Marcus: “Systems restored with enhanced security. Incident response plan drafted for future attacks.”
Alex: “Coordinated industry threat sharing. Implemented monitoring that would detect similar attacks in 2 hours instead of 36.”
Jamie: “Successful patient notification built trust. Insurance coordination recovering incident costs.”

Final Three-Track Assessment

IM: “Here’s your final incident response assessment:”

“🛡️ Network Security: 95 (+20 for complete threat elimination, enhanced monitoring, and improved security posture)”
“⚡ IR Effectiveness: 120 (+10 for exceptional teamwork, role coordination, and learning from the incident)”
“🏢 Business Operations: 105 (+20 for successful patient communication, trust building, and insurance coordination)”

IM: “Exceptional work! Notice how all three tracks ended higher than they started. This demonstrates that effective incident response doesn’t just restore normal operations - it makes organizations more resilient.”

Track Analysis: - “Your Network Security improved through enhanced monitoring and security controls” - “Your IR Effectiveness shows how collaborative learning strengthens team capabilities” - “Your Business Operations actually improved through trust-building communication and financial recovery”

IM Note: Perfect ending - group succeeded and improved beyond baseline. Everyone contributed meaningfully.

Debrief: Learning Consolidation

Reflection

IM: “Step out of character. What did you learn about incident response teamwork?”

Participant Insights:

Sarah: “I learned how much my technical findings depend on others’ business context”
Marcus: “Security decisions have real operational impacts - need to balance protection with business needs”
Alex: “Information sharing between organizations is crucial for cybersecurity”
Jamie: “Clear communication during crisis can actually build trust if done right”

Skills Transfer

IM: “How would you apply these insights in your real work?”

Application Discussion:

Sarah: “I need to think more about business impact when investigating technical issues”
Marcus: “I should involve business stakeholders in security decisions earlier”
Alex: “I want to join our industry sharing groups”
Jamie: “I need to understand technical details better to communicate effectively”

Closing

IM: “You experienced collaborative incident response under pressure. Remember: cybersecurity is teamwork, different perspectives strengthen solutions, and communication is as important as technical skills.”

IM Commentary: What Worked Well

Successful Techniques Used

Role-Based Engagement

Each person naturally contributed from their expertise area
Roles created clear but flexible participation structure
Natural leadership emerged without competition

Progressive Complexity

Started with clear symptoms everyone could understand
Built technical complexity gradually
Maintained engagement across expertise levels

Collaborative Discovery

Information sharing between rounds built team connection
Each person’s discoveries enabled others’ actions
Group naturally coordinated without forced structure

Realistic Constraints

Technical solutions had operational consequences
Business pressures created authentic urgency
Resource limitations required prioritization

Challenge Management

Technical Knowledge Gaps

Used healthcare context familiar to all participants
Translated technical concepts into business impacts
Encouraged expertise sharing rather than individual performance

Participation Balance

Role assignments prevented domination by any single person
Natural collaboration emerged from scenario needs
Everyone contributed meaningfully to group success

Scenario Pacing

Three clear phases (Discovery, Response, Recovery) maintained momentum
Time pressure was realistic but not overwhelming
Natural break points allowed for strategy discussion

Learning Outcomes Achieved

Individual Skills

Sarah: Learned to connect technical findings to business impact
Marcus: Experienced balancing security with operational needs
Alex: Practiced information sharing and proactive monitoring
Jamie: Developed crisis communication under technical uncertainty

Team Skills

Collaborative problem-solving under pressure
Information sharing and coordination
Balancing multiple stakeholder needs
Building on others’ expertise

Organizational Understanding

Incident response requires diverse skills and perspectives
Technical and business considerations are interconnected
Effective communication is crucial during crisis
Preparation and training improve response effectiveness

Post-Session Follow-Up Recommendations

For Participants

Sarah: Explore business impact assessment techniques
Marcus: Study incident response frameworks that balance security and operations
Alex: Join H-ISAC or similar industry sharing organization
Jamie: Develop technical vocabulary for better crisis communication

For Organization

Consider cross-functional incident response training
Develop clear roles and communication protocols
Implement technical monitoring improvements identified during session
Create regular exercises to maintain skills and team coordination

Key Success Factors

Preparation Elements

Appropriate Malmon selection: GaboonGrabber’s progression matched group capability
Realistic context: Healthcare setting familiar to mixed business/technical audience
Clear role assignments: Based on actual participant expertise
Flexible pacing: Adapted to group energy and engagement

Facilitation Techniques

Expert validation: Acknowledged participant expertise consistently
Collaborative discovery: Encouraged group problem-solving over individual performance
Realistic constraints: Technical solutions had business consequences
Progressive complexity: Built difficulty gradually to maintain engagement

Group Dynamics

Natural leadership: Emerged organically from scenario needs
Complementary skills: Each role contributed unique value
Shared responsibility: Success required everyone’s contribution
Authentic engagement: Participants invested in character and scenario

This walkthrough demonstrates how effective IM facilitation creates engaging, educational experiences that build both individual skills and team capabilities while maintaining realistic professional context.