“Their dedication to delivering high-quality results is evident at every step.”
Incident Response Tabletop Exercises
Practice real-world cyber threats with proven tabletop exercises and expert facilitation.
Request a Quote for our Incident Response Tabletop Exercises
CTS Startup Support Pillars
Core
Everything you need to run IT day-to-day, without thinking about it.
End-user helpdesk support, remote and onsite. SaaS application support across Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and core business tools.
Automated onboarding and offboarding with full identity and access management. Endpoint monitoring, OS patching, and device lifecycle support from procurement through replacement.
Network monitoring, firewall and Wi-Fi management, and managed server backups with offsite replication.
Cyber+
Everything needed to actively defend the business and satisfy insurance, customer, and investor expectations.
24/7 Security Operations Center with Managed Detection and Response.
Endpoint and cloud threat detection across Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. DNS-based malware protection, advanced email phishing defense, and ongoing phishing simulations.
Security awareness training, centralized SIEM logging, and Incident Response Plan creation.
Advisory+
Strategic cyber risk management without hiring a full-time security leader.
Dedicated cybersecurity advisor with monthly posture review calls and annual risk assessments.
Ongoing risk tracking, vendor due diligence, and policy creation.
Audit and compliance support across ISO 27001, NIST, CMMC, and SOC 2, plus executive and board-level security reporting.
Our Clients
Hear From Teams Who Improved Their Incident Response
Clients praise Charter's hands-on approach and measurable improvements in crisis readiness.
Karl Cesar
Director of IT, Leaders In Our Neighborhood Charter School
“What is most impressive is the high-touch care, attention, and values of their founder!”
Charles Ortiz
Executive Director, WHIN Music Community Charter School
“Whether it is thinking through all of the aspects of preparing a new building for occupancy or overhauling the way we manage inventory, CTS has worked closely with us to ensure that our growth has been smooth and seamless. The team is detail-oriented and brings strong project management skills to the table.”
“This may have the quickest and most effective IT service support I have had in my entire nineteen-year career in education!”
“Thank you so much for coming to adjust our volume! Your quick and efficient work made a big difference, and we really appreciate your help.”
“Eric works so well with others! In this case, he worked with one of our vendors to move our office alarm system to a new laptop. Eric is a great team player!”
“What can I say about your CTS Experts and services! So thrilled to know that your IT Expert was onsite and able to correct my concerns right away. Your services are by far the best and will highly recommend them to others. Thank you!”
“I appreciated Abi’s patience, outstanding knowledge and explaining the reason for the service, making it a enjoyable and productive experience.”
AWARDS & CERTIFICATIONS
Detailed Breakdown: Tabletop Exercises That Drive Real Results
Practical incident response testing
Scenario Development
Customized Scenario Development
Scenario Development ensures that each tabletop exercise is tailored to your organization’s unique risks, industry, and operational realities. Charter’s experts create realistic scenarios, such as ransomware, data breaches, or insider threats, that reflect current threat intelligence and known vulnerabilities. This approach helps your team practice decision-making in context, uncover blind spots, and build confidence for when an actual incident occurs.
Facilitated Sessions
Expert-Led Tabletop Facilitation
Facilitated Tabletop Sessions bring together your key staff, IT, leadership, and critical departments, for guided, interactive exercises. An experienced facilitator leads the session, prompting discussion, clarifying roles, and ensuring everyone is engaged. This interactive format helps teams align on procedures, improve communication, and identify confusion or bottlenecks in a controlled, supportive environment.
Real-Time Documentation
Live Documentation & Notes
Real-Time Documentation captures every decision, action, and outcome during the exercise. Charter’s team records the conversation, response steps, and lessons learned as the scenario unfolds. This live documentation is used to inform post-exercise reports, highlight strengths and areas for improvement, and meet compliance or insurance documentation requirements.
Gap Analysis & Action Plan
Targeted Gap Analysis & Planning
Gap Analysis and Action Planning transforms observations from the tabletop into a prioritized roadmap. After each exercise, you receive a detailed report outlining gaps in your current response plan, clear recommendations for improvement, and actionable next steps. This process ensures that lessons learned directly inform your ongoing cybersecurity strategy.
Compliance Support
Regulatory and Insurance Readiness
Compliance and Audit Support provides documentation and evidence that your organization regularly tests and updates its incident response procedures. This helps fulfill regulatory, audit, and insurance requirements, demonstrating your commitment to proactive risk management and reducing the likelihood of compliance penalties or insurance claim denials.
Staff Training
Organization-Wide Training & Skills
Staff Training and Skill Development is woven into every tabletop exercise, building practical skills and real-world confidence across your team. Exercises target not just IT, but also leadership and key stakeholders, so everyone understands their role in a crisis. This holistic approach strengthens your organization’s overall security culture and readiness for any disruption.
Our Partners
Proven Results From Real-World Tabletop Exercises
24/7
MDR with SOC monitoring is available 24/7
60+
Worked with 60+ schools across the United States
8,300+
Supports 8,300+ end users
Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Response Before an Attack Happens
Incident Response Tabletop Exercises from Charter Technology Solutions allow your team to practice handling real-world cyber threats in a safe, guided environment. Each session is custom-designed to your organization, helping staff build confidence and improving your response plan in measurable ways. Expert facilitators guide the process, identify gaps, and provide actionable recommendations, so you’re better prepared for whatever comes next.
Book Your Tabletop Exercise Consultation Today
Build real response skills and uncover hidden gaps before a real-world incident.
Anonymous Case Study: Network Expansion & Technology Refresh (CAP4)
Building Hybrid Learning Without Boundaries
Tailored technology, rapid deployment, and unwavering focus on student success.
Where Systems Meet Purpose: CTS and the Digital Backbone of Classical Charter Schools
From infrastructure backed by E-Rate, to cloud-based curriculum delivery, this partnership proves what’s possible when technical execution meets educational vision.
Ethos Classical—Liberal Education Rooted in Literacy & Creativity
Ethos Classical is a tuition-free K–5 charter school in Atlanta focused on a liberal education rooted in literacy and the arts, serving families who value literacy as the foundation of learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are incident response tabletop exercises and who should participate?
Incident response tabletop exercises are guided simulations where your team walks through realistic cyber incident scenarios to test readiness. These sessions typically include IT staff, leadership, and anyone with a role in your response plan. By involving key decision-makers and technical staff, you get a clear view of how your organization would react in a real event.
How can incident response tabletop exercises benefit my organization?
Tabletop exercises help you identify weaknesses in your current response plan before a real crisis hits. You gain:
- Clarity on roles and responsibilities
- Faster, more coordinated responses
- Stronger compliance and insurance readiness
- Greater confidence for both leadership and technical teams
Most importantly, they help you uncover gaps that are often missed until an actual incident occurs.
What is the process for running an incident response tabletop exercise?
You start by sharing your current policies, team structure, and goals. Next, a tailored scenario is developed that fits your organization’s risks. During the session, participants discuss how they would respond at each stage, with guidance and feedback throughout. The exercise wraps up with a review of strengths, gaps, and clear recommendations for improvement.
How long does a typical tabletop exercise take and what should I prepare?
Most tabletop exercises run 2-3 hours, depending on the complexity of your environment and scenario. To get the most out of the session, you should:
- Have your response plan and key contacts ready
- Invite all primary stakeholders
- Be prepared for open discussion and honest feedback
Advance planning ensures a practical and focused experience.
What makes your incident response tabletop exercises different from others?
You get a tailored approach built on 15 years of IT and cybersecurity experience, not a generic template. Every exercise is scenario-driven and mapped to your actual environment, covering technical, operational, and compliance needs. Ongoing support and clear documentation help you make real improvements, not just check a box for compliance.
Uncover Weaknesses and Build Response Confidence
- Test your current incident response plan against real-world attack scenarios.
- Spot vulnerabilities and communication gaps before an actual emergency occurs.
- Receive a full post-exercise report with prioritized recommendations for improvement.
- Build lasting team skills and confidence with guidance from experienced facilitators.
- Support insurance and audit needs with documented tabletop exercise participation.
Transform Plans Into Action With Realistic Team Training
Effective incident response requires more than just policies on paper, it demands practice and teamwork. Tabletop exercises let your team problem-solve together, clarify roles, and make fast, informed decisions under pressure. Charter’s structured, scenario-driven approach ensures you leave every session with clear next steps and a stronger security posture.