2025-12-13 –, Workshop Room 3
Think of it like playing monopoly but make it cybersecurity!
Can you survive a ransomware attack while underfunding your SOC? Would you fire your CISO to save budget or invest in phishing training instead? In this hands-on, team-based workshop, participants play as fictional companies facing real-world cyber dilemmas. Each team starts with a fixed cybersecurity budget and must choose how to spend it on firewalls, security staff, insurance, awareness programs, and more. But things won’t stay calm for long. Throughout the session, a "Game Master" introduces surprise incidents - phishing, ransomware, insider threats, audits, forcing teams to quickly assess risk, respond, and manage their remaining funds.
Along the way, participants will develop practical skills in prioritization, decision-making and risk management. No technical experience required, just strategic thinking and collaboration. This workshop blends fun and learning to show how business decisions shape cybersecurity outcomes.
This interactive workshop transforms cybersecurity strategy into a fast-paced, team-based simulation. Participants take on the role of company decision-makers navigating limited budgets and growing cyber threats. Working in teams, they'll be given a fictional organization, a starting budget, and a set of options to invest in including controls like endpoint protection, cyber insurance, phishing awareness training and incident response plans.
The twist? Midway through the game, the "Game Master" triggers a series of unpredictable cyber incidents - insider threats, ransomware, audits, phishing attacks that hit teams differently based on their earlier choices. Teams must respond quickly, manage their remaining funds, and re-prioritize under pressure.
By simulating the trade-offs of security investments and real-world threats, this workshop helps participants develop critical thinking, communication and prioritization skills. It encourages cross-functional decision-making and shows how business and security leaders must collaborate to survive incidents without overspending.
Designed to be accessible, fun, and inclusive, the session is ideal for students, early-career professionals, and experienced practitioners alike, no technical background needed. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of cybersecurity budgeting, risk management and how small decisions can lead to major consequences or unexpected wins.
Meera Tamboli is a cybersecurity professional with hands-on experience across SOC Operations & Incident Response. She started her journey in cybersecurity as an intern, completed an MSc in Cyber Security and now works as a Digital Forensic & Incident Response Analyst in the UK.
Without formal mentorship or a clear roadmap, Meera carved her own path into cyber, which now fuels her passion for helping others do the same. She mentors aspiring professionals through her YouTube channel (20K+ subs) and 1:1 mentoring sessions. She has mentored over 1000 individuals to break into cybersecurity, support career growth and pursue higher studies, which led to her being featured in Times Square, New York.
Meera is passionate about community-driven learning and loves to participate in any speaking, mentorship and collaborative events.