Evaluate any ICS/OT tabletop exercise platform with this 100-point checklist. Eight categories, forty criteria — built to help security teams, procurement leaders, and MSSPs choose the right exercise platform for their program.
Not all exercise platforms are equal. Some are built specifically for tabletop exercises; others offer it as a feature within a broader security product. This guide gives you a structured, vendor-neutral scoring framework so you can make an objective comparison — whether you're evaluating your first platform or considering a switch.
Check each criterion your candidate platform meets. The running score (top of page) updates in real time. Use the score interpretation table to benchmark your findings.
The scenario library is the foundation of your exercise program. Quantity, relevance to your sectors, and framework alignment determine how much time you spend creating vs. running exercises.
AI capabilities determine how much manual preparation, facilitation, and documentation burden falls on your team. This is one of the largest operational differentiators between platforms.
For MSSPs managing multiple client organizations, single-tenant platforms create massive operational overhead. True MSSP support means native multi-tenancy — not workarounds.
Compliance evidence generation is one of the highest-value features for regulated industries. Platforms that automate this save your team dozens of hours per audit cycle.
OT/ICS environments often have no internet connectivity, strict network segmentation, and globally distributed teams. Deployment flexibility determines where you can actually run your program.
Participant engagement directly affects the realism and learning value of exercises. Platforms that treat participants as passive observers miss the point of a tabletop.
Exercise data is most valuable when it flows into your existing security and training ecosystem. Open integrations prevent data silos and support automation of compliance workflows.
Hidden pricing, enterprise-quote-only tiers, and per-exercise fees obscure the true cost of ownership. Transparency signals vendor confidence and simplifies your procurement process.
| Score Range | Maturity Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 40 pts | Basic | Limited capability. Significant gaps for enterprise or MSSP use. Suitable for one-off exercises only. |
| 41 – 70 pts | Capable | Covers the fundamentals. Lacks advanced AI automation, MSSP features, or compliance depth. May require supplemental tooling. |
| 71 – 90 pts | Enterprise-Ready | Strong across most areas. Supports enterprise programs with minor gaps. Good fit for most regulated industries. |
| 91 – 100 pts | Best-in-Class | Comprehensive, purpose-built platform. Covers AI, MSSP, compliance, integrations, and participant experience at depth. |
Bring these questions to any platform demo. The answers reveal how deeply a feature is built into the platform — versus marketed but limited in practice.
For reference — here is how Skyhigh Cybersecurity performs against all 8 evaluation categories in this guide.
We encourage you to score any platform you evaluate — including ours — using this checklist independently. We're confident in the result.
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