KSÖ, AIT and BAWAG organized cyber security training

The cybersecurity exercise, which took place on a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and one of the most modern simulation and training environments, the AIT Cyber Range, aimed to train representatives of Austrian and international companies and authorities to respond to an emergency using a fictitious hybrid attack on the state, economy and society. 

The KSÖ 2024 simulation game was aimed at security actors and experts from various countries (Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy) and from affected sectors and industries (financial sector, industry, IT service providers). Ministries from the aforementioned countries, as well as GOV-CERTs and CERTs, were also involved. The participants were confronted with a sophisticated hybrid cyberattack scenario to evaluate the existing security and communication measures in their organisations. Particular attention was also paid to coordination and cooperation between the individual organisations. 

The difficult conditions in the scenario, such as the lack of clarity about the origin of the attacks, the severity of the incident and the associated cross-sector effects, provided the basis for testing and subsequently evaluating the planned communication processes and coordinated procedures. Since the NIS2 guidelines and the DORA regulation apply to the participating organisations, this exercise also served as preparation for the upcoming implementation of the guidelines.