What is NOT a method of conducting operational exercises?

Vulnerability scanning is not a method of conducting operational exercises because it involves the assessment and identification of security weaknesses in systems, rather than being a practical exercise meant to test or simulate response capabilities. Operational exercises are designed to provide hands-on experience and practice in incident management, focusing on scenarios to improve response times and team coordination.

In contrast, tabletop scenarios present participants with a simulated event to discuss and strategize their responses. Capture the flag competitions are interactive, competitive exercises where participants solve security puzzles or challenges, often in a fun and engaging way, which helps to develop practical skills. Live drills involve actors and real-time simulation of incidents, allowing teams to practice their skills in a controlled environment, mimicking actual incident response situations.

The focus of operational exercises is on teamwork, decision-making, and practical application of knowledge, while vulnerability scanning serves a different purpose in cybersecurity assessments.