Red Team Operations: Simulating Real-World Attacks

A red team exercise goes beyond traditional penetration testing. It’s a comprehensive assessment that simulates how real threat actors would target your organization, testing not just technical controls but also people and processes.

What Makes Red Teaming Different?

Unlike traditional penetration tests with defined scopes, red team operations:

Use adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
Target the entire organization, not just IT systems
Operate with minimal disclosure to test real-world detection
Include social engineering and physical security testing

Our Red Team Methodology

Phase 1: Reconnaissance

We gather intelligence just as threat actors would:

Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
Network enumeration
Social media reconnaissance
Physical surveillance (with authorization)

Phase 2: Initial Access

Multiple vectors are tested:

Phishing campaigns
Exploitation of public-facing applications
Physical intrusion attempts
Supply chain compromise scenarios

Phase 3: Lateral Movement

Once inside, we test detection capabilities:

Moving across network segments
Privilege escalation
Credential harvesting
Persistence mechanisms

Phase 4: Objective Achievement

We attempt to reach defined objectives:

Data exfiltration
System compromise
Access to critical assets
Administrative control

Lessons from Recent Engagements

In a recent red team exercise for a Nigerian tech company, we:

Gained initial access through a targeted phishing campaign
Moved laterally through the network undetected for 48 hours
Accessed sensitive customer data
Maintained persistence for the duration of the engagement

The organization’s blue team eventually detected our activities, but the exercise revealed critical gaps in:

Email security controls
Network segmentation
Security monitoring
Incident response procedures

Building a Stronger Defense

The value of red teaming isn’t just in identifying vulnerabilities—it’s in:

Testing detection and response capabilities
Training blue teams with real scenarios
Validating security investments
Building a security-aware culture

Getting Started

Red team operations require careful planning and clear rules of engagement. If you’re considering a red team assessment for your organization, contact us to discuss how we can help strengthen your security posture.

Ready to test your defenses? Schedule a consultation with our red team specialists.