"Don’t Panic!”, A Hitchhikers Guide to Incident Response by Iain Sloan

Description

In this presentation Iain explores the critical importance of practicing your cybersecurity incident response plan before you need it. Using Douglas Adams' timeless advice as a framework, we'll examine why most IR plans fall apart under real pressure and how regular, realistic practice builds the muscle memory teams need when systems are under attack. We'll cover essential preparation tactics, communication strategies that work during crisis, and how to design tabletop exercises that prepare your team for the chaos of real incidents. You'll learn why "Don't Panic" isn't just good sci-fi advice it's the foundation of effective incident response, but only if you've practiced not panicking. Perfect for security professionals who want to move beyond checkbox compliance and build IR capabilities that work when the universe starts ending.

Speakers

Iain Sloan
Chief Information Security Officer
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board

With over four decades of experience spanning steelworks in Scotland to state agencies in Texas and Washington, Iain Sloan is a IT veteran who’s seen it all, from IBM minis to modern threat landscapes. As CISO at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, he leads with a pragmatic, people-first approach to securing systems, empowering teams, and keeping cyber gremlins at bay. Iain blends deep technical expertise with a storyteller’s charm, making complex security concepts accessible and actionable for everyone.