Recently in Security Innovation Stories, an article appeared with the key insights from the podcast with our co-founder and CCRC board member Kelvin Rorive. One message is made crystal clear: true cyber resilience is not achieved alone, but together with your chain partners.
Kelvin expressed it powerfully: “As an SME, you are digitally dependent on your suppliers. So if you want to practice, do it with your chain partners. That makes you much stronger.”
Why cyber exercises are so important
Incidents repeatedly show that a crisis rarely stops at the borders of one organization. Suppliers, customers, and partners are all part of the same digital chain. If one link fails, it affects the rest. Practicing together helps to make these dependencies visible and to learn how to truly rely on each other in times of crisis.
From playbook to collaboration
“I have written many crisis plans, but real incidents rarely adhere to them.” – Kelvin Rorive
As Kelvin rightly points out: the perfect playbook does not exist. During an incident, things always go differently than anticipated. It is precisely then that it becomes clear whether people can find each other and whether responsibilities are clear. You don’t learn that from a PowerPoint, but only by practicing together, in a safe context where you are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.
Chain exercises that make an impact
Within CCRC, we work on chain exercises that truly make an impact. We develop scenarios that align with daily practice, ensure that all relevant parties participate (from management to suppliers), and create an environment where organizations can learn safely. Our goal: not only to increase technical resilience but especially the trust, speed, and collaboration that make the difference during a real crisis.
Listen to the podcast
Do you want to hear Kelvin talk about the importance of practicing in the chain? Then listen to the podcast episode of Security Innovation Stories again.
Would you rather hear him speak live? Then come to Cybersec Netherlands on September 10-11, 2025.