CrisisOS5™ ICS/OT Incident Playbook
Sector-specific decision governance and regulator-ready communication for utilities, water authorities, and energy providers when cyber becomes safety.
- Four sector-specific incident playbooks
- 20/60/120-minute action timelines
- Regulator-ready holding statements
- RACI escalation workflows
- Simulation facilitator guide
- 30/60/90 day implementation roadmap
When cyber becomes safety, traditional IT response plans are not enough.
In ICS/OT environments, cyber incidents have immediate physical consequences. A ransomware attack can lock operators out of SCADA systems. A grid blackout disrupts hospitals and schools. A boil water advisory becomes a public health event. A pipeline disruption impacts communities and industry.
Traditional IT-only crisis plans do not address these cyber-physical realities. The first 120 minutes decide whether confidence is preserved or destroyed — and whether leadership is seen as in control or reactive.
Regulators, customers, and boards evaluate leadership not only by how quickly operations are restored — but by how clearly and confidently executives engage when facts are still forming.
One playbook. Four scenarios built for the incidents utilities and energy providers face most.
Each scenario includes incident triggers, a 20/60/120-minute action timeline, regulator-ready holding statements, anticipated media Q&A, and an escalation workflow across Security, Legal, Communications, and Operations.
Ransomware at a Utility
- Operator lockouts and inaccessible SCADA/HMI
- Ransom note on engineering workstations
- OT-IT bridge systems showing suspicious traffic
- Regulator notification thresholds and timing
Grid Blackout
- SCADA frequency and voltage instability alarms
- Cascading outages and priority restoration
- Critical services coordination (hospitals, water)
- Media briefing and rumor control protocols
Boil Water Advisory
- Elevated turbidity or positive microbial indicators
- Public health coordination and joint messaging
- Hotline, FAQ, and usage guidance deployment
- Advisory lift criteria and community outreach
Pipeline Disruption
- Pressure drops, valve malfunctions, leak detection
- Isolation, containment, and first responder coordination
- Community impact resources and safety perimeters
- Investor brief and root-cause analysis plan
Decision governance and communication tools for every phase of an ICS/OT incident.
Action Timelines
Step-by-step guidance for the first 20, 60, and 120 minutes across all four incident types. Designed for execution under pressure when improvisation is not an option.
Regulator-Ready Holding Statements
Pre-structured communication templates for regulators, customers, employees, and media. Built on first facts, commitments, and safety-first language aligned with NERC CIP, DOE, and EPA expectations.
RACI Escalation Workflows
Integrated escalation pathways connecting OT engineers, IT security, legal, communications, and regulators. Defines who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed at each phase.
Simulation Facilitator Guide
A ready-to-run 90-minute tabletop exercise using a boil water advisory scenario with realistic injects including a deepfake video, escalating lab results, and social media pressure.
30/60/90 Day Implementation Roadmap
A structured adoption plan for integrating the playbook into your incident bridge, training spokespersons, and establishing an annual refresh cycle.
Templates, Worksheets & Appendices
Message framework template, status update structure, press statement skeleton, call center script, regulator notification checklist, contact roster, incident log, and after-action report outline.
Built for the regulatory environments utility leaders actually operate in.
The playbook translates complex regulatory frameworks into boardroom-ready communication and escalation structures — without overwhelming executives in technical detail.
ANSI/ISA-62443-4-1
Supplier secure development lifecycle context that informs executive risk posture and messaging during product vulnerability incidents.
NERC CIP
Electric sector reliability and reporting discipline. Expectations for timely, accurate updates to regulators during grid incidents.
DOE Energy Sector Guidance
Sector-specific communication expectations for energy providers during operational disruptions with public safety implications.
EPA Water Safety
Public health communication requirements for water utilities during contamination events, boil water advisories, and treatment plant incidents.
CrisisOS5™ ICS/OT Incident Playbook
$995 One-time purchase · Immediate access · Internal use licenseNo retainer. No long-term commitment.
Designed to fit within discretionary operational budgets. For organizations that need expert-led governance design, facilitated simulations, or full advisory engagement — see the services below.
Purchase Immediate Access →For organizations ready for expert-led ICS/OT governance work.
This playbook is provided for internal organizational use only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or cybersecurity advice. All templates require review by your organization's legal counsel, compliance team, and technical leadership before external use.
Decision governance and regulator-ready communication — built for the incidents ICS/OT leaders face most.