ATLANTA (August 9, 2012) – The fictional Atlanta-based Global News Network (GNN), the most powerful and influential fictional news network in the world, is searching for a CEO and COO to lead the organization through a devastating cyber attack which will occur at 1:28 p.m. on September 11, 2012 as a part of the Technology Association of Georgia Information Security (TAG InfoSec) society’s 2012 Cyber Attack and Business Continuity Simulation to be held at Ferst Center on the Georgia Tech Campus.

“We are looking for a creative, visionary CEO and COO with proven track records in leading global businesses,” states Kathy Forbes, Scenario Recruiter for Cyber Exercises. “Every minute leading up to the attack has been carefully scripted by experienced cyber security scenario writers, but at 1:28 p.m. on September 11, 2012 the C-level executives, senior managers and security practitioners on stage at the Ferst Center are on their own. They will have no script and no specific instructions as they struggle to get their company back on the air. No one knows what will happen next and the outcome of this realistic human drama is entirely up to what happens on that stage.”

“Most attack simulations are played out with emergency first responders, ambulances, fire trucks and SWAT teams responding to some overt act of physical devastation in a manner indistinguishable from the real thing. Our simulation will be quite different,” added Forbes. “As technology continues to advance, we face covert attacks which will involve cyber criminals and terrorists executing exceptionally well planned cyber crimes that leave C-Level executives, senior managers and security practitioners grappling for answers and trying to keep their companies operational. Our simulation brings this type of attack and the aftermath to life in front of a live audience. ”

Tom Jinks, co-chair of TAG InfoSec, the primary sponsor of this event, points out, “in our scenario a large, global, Atlanta-based company has inadvertently angered a terrorist organization which has attacked that company unsuccessfully, learned from their mistakes, tried again and finally completely shut down the target company. In our scenario it’s not Jack Bauer and government agents kicking down doors and interrogating suspects, it’s a bunch of men and women in suits trying to recover their company with pressure from customers, shareholders and the press. And, of course, financial losses are inevitable as the wounded company bleeds money minute by minute while attempts are made to get back up and running.”

Jinks also notes, “we’ve developed a plausible terrorist scenario as the lead up to our simulation to give us a realistic frame of reference, but it doesn’t really matter if a company’s future is placed at risk by terrorists, disgruntled employees or a snow storm. The 2012 Cyber Attack and Business Continuity Simulation has lessons for all businesses and industries.”

To apply for either position contact Kathy Forbes, Scenario Recruiter at Cyber Exercises, (404) 264-0600, kathy@cyberexercises.com. To learn more about the 2012 Cyber Attack and Business Continuity Simulation, or to register, visit: www.tagonline.org/GNN-Scenario.php.

About Cyber Exercises
Cyber Exercises is a group of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) certified scenario writers and table top exercisers who ordinarily work on classified exercises or exercises carried out for commercial companies under non-disclosure agreements. Cyber Exercises is collaborating with the TAG Information Security society on this event in the spirit of the open, transparent, bi-directional “duty to share”, the latest DHS guidance on private sector preparedness, which replaces the old, closed, limited distribution “need to know” of days gone by.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 17,800 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 31 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit www.tagedonline.org/.