Red Team as a Service
Find out how you'd fare against a real adversary
We simulate a complete, real-world attack, from reconnaissance to objective, to measure how well your organisation detects and responds.
Plan a red team engagement How it works
- CREST & CHECK accredited testers
- UK-based account team
- Live results platform
- No-obligation scoping call
Overview
Testing your defences the way attackers would
A red team engagement uses the same tactics, techniques and mindset as genuine threat actors, but in a controlled and agreed manner. Every stage of the attack lifecycle is put to the test, examining not only your technology but also your people and the processes that are meant to stop an intrusion.
Where a penetration test aims to uncover as many exploitable vulnerabilities as possible in a defined scope, red teaming asks a different question: could a determined attacker achieve a specific goal, and would you notice in time? Each engagement is intelligence-driven and tailored to your organisation.
Our red team service is delivered in partnership with Rootshell Security, a CREST and CHECK accredited provider, and is offered as an ongoing 12-month subscription so your resilience is tested against threats as they evolve.
What's included
What a red team engagement examines
We assess performance at every stage of an attack, from first contact to final objective.
Attack surface resilience
How well your perimeter and exposed systems stand up to a persistent, well-prepared adversary.
Threat detection
Whether your monitoring and tooling actually spot malicious activity as it unfolds.
Response effectiveness
How quickly and effectively your teams act once suspicious behaviour has been identified.
Staff awareness
How employees react to phishing, SMS-based lures and other social engineering attempts.
Physical security
Where agreed, attempts to gain physical access to your premises to test on-site controls.
Command and control
Simulated C2 activity shows whether an attacker could maintain a foothold and operate undetected.
How it works
Our red team methodology
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Agree the objective
Together we set a realistic goal an attacker would pursue, such as escalating privileges, exfiltrating data or obtaining senior staff credentials. Our consultants advise on the most valuable target.
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Reconnaissance
We gather threat intelligence from open-source, financial, technical and human sources to identify likely targets and routes in.
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Weaponisation and delivery
Attack vectors may include phishing, SMiShing, physical entry and command and control infrastructure, chosen to mirror real adversary behaviour.
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Exploitation and objective
We work towards the agreed goal, and can emulate specific threats such as a disgruntled insider or someone with physical site access.
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Continuous reporting
Clear reporting is provided at each phase, with findings and remediation advice delivered through a central platform.
Benefits
Why organisations invest in red teaming
Resilience against advanced attacks
Improve your ability to prepare for, detect, deter and recover from sophisticated intrusions.
An honest look at incident response
See how your internal response mechanisms and staff perform when an attack is actually in progress.
Validated controls and policies
Learn which procedures and security investments held firm and which fell short under realistic pressure.
Insight for training and the board
Findings feed directly into awareness training, compliance work and board-level reporting on cyber risk.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is a red team engagement carried out?
There are four broad stages: reconnaissance, the simulated attack itself, working towards the agreed objective, and reporting. Each stage is planned around how a real attacker would prepare and operate.
What techniques might be used?
Depending on the agreed scope, techniques can include email phishing, SMS phishing, physical entry attempts and command and control activity. Everything is agreed in advance and carried out in a controlled way.
How does red teaming differ from a penetration test?
A penetration test is typically short and focused on finding as many vulnerabilities as possible using a defined method. A red team engagement runs over a longer period, uses a broad range of techniques and is designed to test your detection and response.
What is the difference between a red team and a blue team?
The red team plays the attacker, trying to breach your defences. The blue team is your defensive function, responsible for monitoring, risk assessment and detecting intrusions.
Is red teaming risky for our operations?
Engagements are carried out by CREST-certified testers working to high professional and ethical standards, with careful planning to avoid disruption. Objectives and boundaries are agreed with you before any activity begins.
Explore more
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Put your defences to a realistic test
Talk to us about your objectives and we will help shape a red team engagement that reflects the threats you actually face.
