Cherokee County EMA Conducts Cybersecurity Exercise to Boost Healthcare Resilience

Centre- Cherokee County officials recently partnered with local healthcare providers and public safety agencies to conduct a comprehensive cybersecurity tabletop exercise (TTX) focused on protecting critical emergency and healthcare systems from cyber threats.

The exercise, led by cybersecurity consulting firm OTM Cyber, simulated a realistic cyber attack scenario targeting healthcare infrastructure. Participants were challenged to respond to evolving threats and disruptions, testing their emergency response plans, communication strategies, and interagency coordination.

Key areas of focus included cybersecurity best practices, incident response protocols, healthcare-specific impacts of cyber incidents, and recovery and continuity operations. The exercise also addressed legal considerations, public communication strategies, and the role of mutual aid across county and state lines.

“This exercise significantly enhanced Cherokee County’s readiness to respond rapidly and effectively to cyber incidents,” said EMA Director Shawn Rogers. “It’s vital that our healthcare and emergency services remain resilient and adaptable in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.”

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Participating agencies included Atrium Health Floyd EMS, Atrium Health Floyd – Rome, Atrium Health Floyd – Cherokee, Cherokee County 911, Centre Fire/Rescue, the Alabama Department of Public Health, Jackson County EMA, The Surgery Center of Oxford, Lakeside Primary Care, and Advocate Health’s Cyber Incident Response Team.

The tabletop exercise emphasized the importance of strong partnerships, well-developed response plans, and coordinated recovery strategies to minimize the impact of cyber events on public health and safety.

Cherokee County officials say they remain committed to strengthening cybersecurity through ongoing training, collaboration, and proactive emergency management planning.

According to a post from the Cherokee County EMA:

Cherokee County EMA Hosts Cybersecurity Exercise to Strengthen Healthcare Resilience

Cherokee County officials, in collaboration with healthcare partners and public safety agencies, recently conducted a comprehensive Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise (TTX) aimed at preparing for a potential cyber attack targeting critical emergency and healthcare infrastructure.

Led by OTM Cyber, the exercise simulated a realistic cyber incident affecting healthcare systems. Participants engaged in a series of response scenarios designed to test and enhance decision-making, interagency coordination, and communication under pressure.

The tabletop exercise focused on several key areas:

Cybersecurity best practices

Incident response planning and protocols

Healthcare-specific cyber impacts

Emergency operations coordination

Recovery and continuity strategies

Participants also examined critical legal and emergency management considerations, public information dissemination, and the importance of mutual aid across jurisdictions.

A core objective of the exercise was to reinforce the value of strong interagency relationships, well-maintained preparedness plans, and cohesive response and recovery efforts in the face of cyber threats.

“This exercise significantly enhanced Cherokee County’s readiness to respond rapidly and effectively to cyber incidents,” said Director Rogers. “It’s vital that our healthcare and emergency services remain resilient and adaptable in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.”

Participating agencies included:

– Atrium Health Floyd EMS

– Atrium Health Floyd – Rome

– Atrium Health Floyd – Cherokee

– Cherokee County 911

– Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency

– Centre Fire/Rescue

– Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)

– Jackson County EMA

– The Surgery Center of Oxford

– Lakeside Primary Care

– Advocate Health Cyber Incident Response Team

Cherokee County remains committed to advancing cybersecurity preparedness through continued collaboration, training, and proactive planning.