What is red team testing, and how does it work? What you need to know

As cyber threats multiply and become increasingly sophisticated, organizations must realize the importance of comprehensive security assessments that identify vulnerabilities and find areas where security needs improvement. Red team penetration testing is one of the best ways to do this. 

Red team testing takes the simulation of real-world cyberattacks a step further than standard penetration testing. While penetration testing helps you find vulnerabilities so they can be patched, red team testing targets specific vulnerabilities and tests how well-prepared your team is to combat the attack. Let’s look into red team testing, what its goals are and how it fits into a cybersecurity career. 

Understanding red team testing 

The phrase "red team vs. blue team" (essentially red team vs. pen test) encapsulates the difference between these two different approaches to security testing. In other words, red team testing isn't your standard penetration test. It's an advanced cybersecurity practice that originated from military training exercises. 

In these exercises, a "red team" would play the role of an adversary, using strategies and tactics to challenge the "blue team," which defended the home base. This concept was adapted for cybersecurity, where the red team's objective is to emulate the full spectrum of threats that an organization might face, pushing beyond the limitations of standard security assessments. 

"Purple teaming is basically conducting a red team operation or penetration testing while collaborating with your client's blue team," says Luke Willadsen of EmberSec. The role of red team testing is crucial in simulating real-world cyberattacks, as it provides a realistic assessment of how well an organization can withstand and respond to sophisticated attacks. By employing tactics such as social engineering (attempting to gain entrance to a building or network by concocting a plausible explanation for why you aren't able to enter on your own), physical penetration (attempts to break into easily-forced doorways or solving easy or default passwords on building security systems) and advanced attack simulations, red teams can offer invaluable insights into the resilience of security measures.

Purpose and objectives of red team testing 

Red team penetration testing goes beyond simply identifying vulnerabilities in your systems. Its purpose is to determine the true strength of your organization's cybersecurity posture. Here are the objectives of red team testing: 

• Unmasking vulnerabilities: Traditional security assessments are excellent at pinpointing weaknesses within a system, but red team testing takes it a step further. By acting like malicious attackers, red teams can exploit previously undiscovered vulnerabilities across an organization's digital infrastructure, physical infrastructure and employees. 
• Testing incident response: Red team testing provides a crucial opportunity to test your instant response plan in a controlled environment. While traditional penetration tests tell you which vulnerabilities need to be patched, a red team test finds flaws in areas like detection, containment, eradication and recovery, helping organizations refine their strategies. 
• Improving threat awareness across the organization: When employees witness first-hand how attackers can exploit seemingly harmless actions, they become more vigilant and better equipped to identify and report suspicious activity. 

How red team testing works 

Red team penetration testing is a complex, multi-stage process that requires careful planning, execution and analysis. Here are the typical steps: 

1. Planning: The first step is to understand what the organization wants to accomplish with the test and its current threat model. Some organizations might want a free-for-all approach that attacks simultaneously on several fronts, while others might want to focus on specific methods, like phishing.
2. Reconnaissance: The red team then gathers intelligence on the organization. They might study public information about its infrastructure or network. Regulatory frameworks can also help guide a red team test, says Cyberis' Matt Lorentzen, because they will help you determine "the types of common attacks that are occurring against these organizations and the types of tactics and procedures that these attackers are actually using." This stage establishes the attack surface for the test.
3. Execution: Once the red team has gathered all the information they need to perform the test, it's time for them to unleash their arsenal of tactics, which might include:
   • Social engineering: Crafting emails or phone calls that trick employees into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
   • Physical penetration testing: Attempting to gain physical access to a facility, potentially exploiting weaknesses and security measures like keycard access or security guards.
   • Advanced cyberattack simulations: Launching sophisticated hacking techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in networks and systems.
4. Debriefing and reporting: Once the engagement concludes, the red team presents a comprehensive report detailing their findings. 

Red team testing tools and techniques 

Red team testing is as much an art as it is a science, requiring a blend of technical skills and creative thinking. The tools and techniques employed in red team operations are diverse, ranging from sophisticated software to simple social engineering tactics, but can be broadly categorized into technical and non-technical. 

Technical tools and techniques include: 

• Exploitation frameworks: Tools like Metasploit, Cobalt Strike and Empire can automate the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. 
• Penetration testing tools: This includes network scanners like Nmap, vulnerability scanners like Nessus and web application scanners like Burp Suite. 
• Credential harvesting: Software like Mimikatz, Responder and Inveigh are employed to capture and crack passwords. 
• Lateral movement: Red teams use tools like PowerSploit, Impacket and CrackMapExec to move laterally within a compromised environment and escalate privileges. 
• Data exfiltration: Tools like PacketWhisker, DNSExfiltrator and Egress-Assess are used to test an organization's ability to detect and prevent data theft. 

Non-technical techniques include: 

• Social engineering: Red teams often use phishing campaigns, pretexting and physical security tests to exploit human vulnerabilities. 
• Open-source intelligence: Gathering and analyzing publicly available information about an organization can reveal potential attack vectors. 
• Physical security testing: Red teams may attempt to bypass physical security controls, such as tailgating into restricted areas or exploiting weaknesses in access control systems. 

Red team testing and cybersecurity certifications 

Red team testing skills are highly relevant to a wide range of cybersecurity certifications, especially the certifications focused on offensive security. Here's how red teaming expertise aligns with some popular certifications: 

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): While not exclusively focused on red teaming, the CEH provides professionals with a solid base for understanding attackers and the tools and techniques they use, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing and social engineering. 
• CompTIA PenTest+: This certification validates a candidate's ability to perform penetration testing, covering errors like vulnerability scanning, exploitation and post-exploitation activities, skills that directly translate to the technical aspects of red team testing. 
• GIAC Certified Red Team Professional (GRTP): Offered by Global Information Assurance Certification, this credential covers the specific methodologies and frameworks used in red team engagements. The GRTP prepares candidates to plan, execute and report on red team testing. 
• Certified Red Team Operations Professional (CRTOP): This certification program focuses on the practical application of red team tactics and techniques, including assessment methodology, physical and digital reconnaissance tools and techniques, vulnerability identification and mapping, social engineering and reporting. 

If you want to develop expertise in red team testing, gaining practical experience through hands-on projects and exercises is important. Setting up a home lab is a good start. Capture the flag (CTF) competitions and exercises will also allow you to practice your red team skills. Once you have some practice under your belt, certification training programs will help you prepare for the exam. 

Infosec's Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp is a penetration testing boot camp that will help you earn both the CEH certification and PenTest+ certification. In five immersive days, you will learn the tools and techniques attackers use through lectures and hands-on labs. 

The Red Team Operations Training Boot Camp will take your pentesting skills a step further by diving deep into the fundamentals of cyberattacks. You'll learn how to identify vulnerabilities, execute reconnaissance, breach networks and be ready to pass your CRTOP exam in five days. 

Impact of red team testing on cybersecurity careers 

In 2024, professionals with expertise in red team testing will find themselves in high demand with ample career opportunities. 

Organizations have quickly realized that passive security measures are not enough to stop the types of data breaches and ransomware attacks that seem to make news weekly, if not daily. Hardening systems against cyberattacks requires thinking and acting like a cyberattacker, and there is a shortage of red team testers who can do this. 

Regulations are also driving the demand for red team professionals. Certain industries, like finance, healthcare and critical infrastructure, are subject to regulatory requirements that mandate regular security testing, including red team testing. 

And here's how learning red team testing can propel your cybersecurity career: 

• High salary: With the rise of cyber threats, organizations are actively seeking red teamers to identify and address their vulnerabilities before attackers can leverage them and compensate well for this skill set. 
• Diverse skillset development: Red team skills are specialized. You'll gain expertise in penetration testing, social engineering, physical security and exploit development — rare skills that make you a valuable asset. 
• Leadership opportunities: Red team engagements require a strategic mindset and strong leadership skills. As your career progresses, you'll be well-positioned to take on leadership roles within cybersecurity teams. 

The future of red team testing 

Red teaming is the foundation of proactive cybersecurity in 2024, but cybersecurity is constantly changing to keep up with technical advances and the evolving threat landscape.  

Here's a look at what red team testing may include in the future: 

• Automation and AI: Repetitive tasks like vulnerability scanning and initial exploitation attempts can be automated using artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI can also analyze the vast amounts of data collected during an engagement, identifying patterns and potential weaknesses that humans might miss. 
• Continuous testing: The traditional red team model, where a team comes in, performs a test and then leaves, is evolving. Organizations are increasingly looking towards embedding red team capabilities or leveraging red team as a service for persistence testing of defenses and identifying vulnerabilities as they emerge. 
• Red team as a service (RTaaS): As the demand for red team expertise grows, the concept of RTaaS is gaining traction. RTaaS allows organizations to access red team capabilities on a subscription basis without the need to build an internal team. 

These emerging trends have significant implications for both cybersecurity strategies and career paths. For cybersecurity professionals looking to future-proof their careers, investing in red team training and certifications is a strategic move. Whether you want to become a full-time red teamer or just broaden your skillset, the ability to think like an attacker and proactively identify vulnerabilities will be a differentiator in cybersecurity's future. 

Red team testing FAQ 

Red team testing has transformed from a specialized tactic to a critical part of proactive cybersecurity in 2024. Attackers are using more sophisticated tactics, and organizations need skilled red team professionals to expose vulnerabilities before these malicious actors find them. By building your skills in pentesting and social engineering and staying up to date on the latest hacking techniques, you can become one of these valuable assets in the fight against cybercrime. 

How does red team testing differ from blue team activities? 

Red teams approach security from the attacker's perspective, actively trying to breach defenses and exploit vulnerabilities. Blue teams focus on defense, monitoring systems for suspicious activity, hardening defenses and responding to security incidents. 

What are the key skills required for a career in red team testing? 

Successful red team professionals possess a unique combination of technical expertise, creative problem-solving skills and an in-depth understanding of threat actor tactics, techniques and procedures. 

How can organizations integrate red team testing into their existing cybersecurity practices?

Organizations can add red team testing to their cybersecurity practices by defining clear objectives for red team engagements, collaborating with experienced red team providers or building their own team, regularly scheduling red team exercises and incorporating lessons learned and recommendations from red team reports into their security strategies.