Many companies invest in firewalls, endpoint protection, and awareness training, assuming that this puts them in a strong position. But the reality is different: attackers do not think in terms of tools, but in terms of targets. They combine technical vulnerabilities with human errors and physical access opportunities. This is where red teaming takes effect. It simulates real attacks: quietly, in multiple stages, and across multiple attack vectors. The goal is not to find as many vulnerabilities as possible, but to test whether an attacker can achieve their goal before your company's defenses respond.
Does that sound inconvenient and vague at the same time? It is. And that's precisely why many companies are still asking questions like these. Arvid Mukherjee, Security Analyst at usd HeroLab and Red Team Lead, answered them for us:
1. Why should we spend money on red teaming? We already do security analyses and audits!
Because attackers do not target individual components, but take a holistic approach to achieve their goals. Red teaming simulates targeted attacks across various vectors: from infrastructure to human factors and physical access. The goal is to find out whether your defenses detect the attack, respond to it, and stop it, or whether the attackers can achieve their goals.
The result is a comprehensive report that details the Red Team's approach to achieving its goal, providing real insights into your defensive capabilities. And another advantage: we go through the findings step by step with your responsible parties afterwards and can also conduct a replay workshop or purple teaming if desired.
2. Can't we just do a penetration test? It's almost the same thing, isn't it?
No, a penetration test is not the same as red teaming, and that is crucial. A pentest specifically searches for vulnerabilities in systems and applications and checks whether they can be exploited. Red teaming, on the other hand, simulates a real attack with a clear goal: Can an attacker achieve their mission before your defenses respond? In short, penetration tests attempt to identify as many vulnerabilities as possible in a specific asset. They test broadly. Red teaming shows whether a real attack would be successful. Red team tests go into depth.
And one more thing: red teams consist of experts from various disciplines, such as malware and exploit development, reverse engineering, physical security, and all classic penetration testing disciplines. We think like attackers, master tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) from the real world, and combine them creatively across different vectors. This is an interdisciplinary approach that combines psychological, physical, and technical aspects. Our experts combine all these aspects in a powerful red team.
3. Isn't this just a playground for large corporations with excessive budgets?
No, red teaming is not a kind of luxury, but a strategic measure. Even medium-sized companies are attractive targets for attackers: they possess valuable data, vulnerable infrastructure, and often less sophisticated security mechanisms. They are often the service providers for large corporations and thus frequently serve as a point of entry for attackers.
Depending on your budget, it doesn't always have to be a complete red teaming exercise; you can also start with slimmed-down scenarios that simulate only parts of a real attack, such as the initial access or the movement of an attacker within the network.
4. What limits should be set for a red team, and who should set them?
Commissioning a red team assessment is not a carte blanche. It is a controlled security test with a clearly defined scope and rules. Before we start, we work with you to define all the framework conditions, including:
- Which attacker targets should be pursued?
- Which systems, users, and operating sites must not be attacked?
- Which methods are not permitted?
- Which escalation paths apply in an emergency?
A professional red team operates within the agreed framework and documents every step. This provides a reliable picture of your security situation without jeopardizing operational processes.
Important: To ensure that the assessment remains as realistic as possible, only a few people should be privy to it. Neither the Security Operations Center nor other people outside the control team are informed, in line with the “need to know only” principle.
5. How do we respond to the fact that an attacker was faster than our IT security?
You are in a stronger position than many others. A successful attack in red teaming is not a failure, but a gain in knowledge. You learn about the weaknesses in your defense before a real attacker can exploit them.
The crucial question is not “Have we been hacked?” but rather:
- How long did it take for the attack to be detected?
- Which systems responded and which did not?
- How well did the incident response work?
Technical learnings:
- Which TTPs remained undetected?
- Where were logs, alerts, or escalation paths missing?
- How quickly was the Blue Team able to respond?
Organizational learnings
- Was communication clear and fast?
- Were clear responsibilities defined, or only accountabilities?
- Were lessons learned documented and translated into actions?
This will significantly strengthen your resilience.
Conclusion
Red teaming is more than just a security test; it is a reality check for your entire defense strategy. Traditional technical safeguards and awareness are important, but they fall short when attackers take a creative and multidimensional approach. A penetration test shows you the vulnerabilities of a specific asset. A controlled attack in the form of a red team assessment, on the other hand, shows whether and how well your organization actually detects and responds to attacks. The insights gained are invaluable: they not only strengthen your technical defenses, but also your processes and responsibilities. Those who put themselves to the test can make targeted improvements. Ultimately, this means fewer surprises and greater resilience.
Do you have further questions about red teaming or need support? Contact us.
