FirstLine TTX
FirstLine Sarasota TTX event
FirstLine TTX
FirstLine Tallahassee TTX
FirstLine Sarasota TTX
Cyber Florida FirstLine

Tabletop Exercises Strengthen Election Infrastructure Security Across Florida

From Jacksonville to Panama City Beach, Cyber Florida’s FirstLine Summer 2025 “Road Trip” brought mission-critical cybersecurity training directly to election teams and public sector leaders across the state. Conducted in partnership with the Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), this six-stop Tabletop Exercise (TTX) series was designed to simulate real-world election infrastructure incident scenarios and help strengthen interagency coordination, communication, and planning.

This program was funded through a Fortifying Florida grant provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The TTX series, held in June and July 2025 in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee, convened 129 participants from 40 counties. These no-cost events provided a safe, realistic environment for election officials, IT personnel, law enforcement, and emergency managers to test and refine their response to evolving threats against Florida’s election infrastructure.

“I attended this TTX as an intern to gain hands-on experience with real-world
cyber incidents. This was my first TTX, and I was looking to
gain new perspectives and also network.”

Building Readiness Through Realistic Scenarios

Each TTX presented participants with a simulated cyber or physical security incident involving election systems. The exercises required participants to respond under pressure, think across organizational boundaries, and prioritize coordinated actions and communication.

Attendees consistently praised the scenarios’ realism and relevance, with 100% of survey respondents affirming their applicability to real-world operations.

“The discussion between IT and office users during the exercises provided
a good exchange for each other’s perspectives.”

A Distinguished Turnout in Tallahassee

The final stop on the road trip in Tallahassee underscored the importance of the TTX series, drawing senior state leaders and cybersecurity experts, including:

Their presence demonstrated broad support for advancing cyber resilience in election infrastructure and affirmed the value of FirstLine’s targeted, tactical approach.

Key Takeaways: Preparedness Starts with Planning

Participants walked away from the TTXs with strengthened confidence, actionable insights, and renewed urgency around preparation. Common lessons included:

  • The critical need for a written Incident Response Plan (IRP)
  • The role of cross-agency communication during a crisis
  • The importance of involving all stakeholders, not just IT

“1. Be prepared before an emergency happens. It is not a matter of if but of when.
2. Cybersecurity is not only for IT— the whole organization should be included.”

“Communication is key.”

“Go back and have discussions with my staff on where we currently stand regarding
preparation, readiness, and knowledge.”

The FirstLine Mission

FirstLine, Cyber Florida’s no-cost cybersecurity education and training program for Florida’s public sector, is designed to meet agencies where they are—literally. By delivering certified, scenario-based tabletop exercises across the state, FirstLine ensures that even the most resource-limited agencies can train, collaborate, and build resilience together.

The Summer 2025 TTX Road Trip exemplifies that mission in action: a practical, inclusive, and high-impact initiative supported by FEMA and FDEM through the Fortifying Florida program. As threats evolve, so will FirstLine, ensuring that Florida’s election infrastructure systems and public institutions remain a model of readiness and coordinated defense.

To learn more about FirstLine or request training for your agency, visit cyberflorida.org/training.