Clause 8.5.3: Exercising and Testing:

ISO 22301 permits organizations to modify, suspend, or stop exercises due to unexpected situations, such as real incidents, to prevent confusion between exercises and actual response operations​​.

Role of the Exercise Coordinator:

The exercise coordinator is empowered to ensure safety and relevance during exercises. If unforeseen circumstances arise, they have the authority to halt exercises to maintain organizational focus and resource allocation​.

Conclusion:

Suspending an exercise due to real incidents or other unexpected events is acceptable per ISO 22301 guidelines.