National Security Cyber War Game Scenario Broadcast Exclusively on CNN

CNN will air a two-hour production, We Were Warned: Cyber Shockwave, based upon exclusive television access to a national security cyber “war game” scenario. The simulated event was developed by The Bipartisan Policy Center and will debut Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 8pm, 11pm and 2am ET on CNN.  The scenario was created by Fmr. CIA Director, General Michael Hayden (ret.) as well as the co-chairs of the 9/11 Commission, Fmr. Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-IN) and Fmr. Gov. Thomas Kean (R-NJ). 

CNN homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve reported from the live event for CNN on Tuesday, Feb. 16.  CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer moderated a Q&A with the participants before a live audience that will air as part of the television special.

Additional participants who served various roles for the scenario are: Fmr. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Fmr. Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, Fmr. White House Homeland Security Advisor and CNN contributor Fran Townsend, Fmr. Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin, Fmr. U.S. Senator Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D-LA), Fmr. National Economic Council Director Stephen Friedman, Fmr. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, Fmr. White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, Fmr. National Security Agency General Counsel Stewart Baker, and Gen. Charles Wald, USAF (Ret.), former Deputy Commander of the United States European Command. 

The unrehearsed event simulated a real-time White House Situation Room response to a massive cyber attack.  Participants received simulated intelligence and news reports that required their rapid, informed advice for a U.S. president. 

We Were Warned: Cyber Shockwave is a CNN Production special event executive produced by Bud Bultman.  The simulated exercise was produced by Chris Wayne & Associates, Minassian Media and Future View, Inc., for the Bipartisan Policy Center.  The scenario was filmed before a live audience at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Scott Matthews is director of programming for CNN Productions, including the award-winning documentary series CNN Presents and the CNN Special Investigations Unit. David Bohrman is the executive-in-charge of the special production.