The cyber threat landscape isn't standing still, and neither should your response plan.
Over the past year, we've seen a sharp rise in attacks powered by automation and AI tools that make phishing, identity compromise and data theft faster and harder to spot. At the same time, ransomware groups are now targeting supply-chains and professional services at a scale that few predicted.
Last week, we launched our Incident Response Simulator to help UK businesses test how they would respond to common scenarios. But simulation is only the starting point. To build true resilience in 2025, organisations need to go further — by running live table-top exercises that bring people, process and technology together.
The Evolving Threat Picture in 2025
Reports this year show that more than half of ransomware incidents are hitting critical or service-based industries such as finance, recruitment, and legal. These are not highly-targeted "nation-state" events — they're broad, automated campaigns looking for weak spots.
Meanwhile, AI is now being used by both attackers and defenders. Deepfake voice and video, synthetic phishing emails, and AI-driven reconnaissance are creating new risks that traditional security awareness sessions rarely address.
The Reality Check
In this environment, an incident response plan that sits on a shelf is no longer enough. Your people need to practise what they'll actually face — confusion, time pressure, incomplete information and decisions that carry real business impact.
Why Simulation is Just the Beginning
Online tools like our Incident Response Simulator give teams a quick, low-pressure way to test their instincts. They highlight gaps in awareness, escalation paths and communication. They also create data you can use to benchmark progress over time.
But in real incidents, there's no "multiple choice" option. That's where table-top exercises come in.
These sessions are designed to mimic genuine scenarios — from credential theft to data loss to ransomware outbreaks — and to test how different parts of the business respond when things get serious.
The Case for Table-Top Exercises
Running a table-top exercise turns a static plan into a living one.
It reveals whether your technical and business teams can communicate clearly, whether leadership knows when to declare an incident, and whether recovery steps are realistic.
Real Benefits We See
Done properly, these sessions build confidence, reduce panic and create a shared understanding of who does what. They also expose dependencies that might otherwise go unnoticed — such as key staff being on holiday, or a supplier's contact details being out of date.
At AssurePath, we've seen how quickly these exercises improve readiness. Organisations that start with our free online simulator often choose to follow up with a live table-top session, led by our consultants, to test more complex and industry-specific scenarios.
This combination helps turn "policy knowledge" into "muscle memory".
Bringing It All Together
Whether you're a small firm or a national network, 2025 is the year to make incident response practice part of your business rhythm.
Start simple. Run an online simulation, review your results, then book a table-top session that challenges your leadership and technical teams to respond under pressure.
It's not about predicting every possible threat — it's about ensuring your people can work together when it matters most.
Ready to Test Your Response?
Take our free Incident Response Simulator to see how you'd handle a real-world cyber event. Then, speak to our team about scheduling a table-top exercise designed around your organisation.