When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s not a question of if your organization will be compromised, but when. In order to stay one step ahead of cyber threats, many organizations are turning to red teaming. Red team testing provides a realistic way to validate defenses, identify vulnerabilities, and enhance cybersecurity posture. By simulating real-world attacks, red team engagements enable organizations to assess the effectiveness of their security program and make necessary improvements.

Why Red Teams are Important in Cybersecurity

Red teams are skilled security professionals who act as “bad guys” to test an organization’s defenses against blue team defenders. These red teamers conduct attack simulations to uncover weaknesses in cybersecurity defenses, helping security teams learn and enhance their program before an actual attack occurs. Unlike cybercriminals, red teamers have no intention of causing actual damage. Their goal is to expose gaps so that organizations can strengthen their security.

Building Resilience through Red Teaming

Red team exercises provide organizations with an opportunity to measure and improve their security controls, defenses, and practices. These simulations offer a true-to-life appraisal of an organization’s cybersecurity, giving valuable insights into how hackers might exploit vulnerabilities. Red team engagements also help shift organizations from a find-and-fix mentality to a categorical defense mentality. By uncovering potential weaknesses, red teams enable organizations to find the unlocked doors before cybercriminals do.

When to Engage a Red Team

Every company, regardless of size, can benefit from a red teaming assessment. The ideal time to engage red team services is when an organization wants to understand program-level questions, such as how far an attacker could get within the network before triggering an alert. Red teaming is also recommended for testing incident response plans or training security team members.

When Red Teaming Alone is Not Enough

While red teaming is highly beneficial, it may fall short of detecting real-time changes in fast-paced environments. Building an internal red team can be expensive, and few organizations have the necessary resources to maintain a dedicated team. Contracting red team services from third-party vendors is an option, but it can also be costly. As a result, only a small number of organizations utilize red teaming frequently enough to gain meaningful insights.

The Benefits of Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) in Cybersecurity

Continuous automated red teaming (CART) leverages automation to discover assets, prioritize vulnerabilities, and conduct real-world attacks using industry-developed tools and exploits. CART focuses on automation, freeing up security teams from repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on more novel testing. It also provides ongoing visibility into defense performance, allowing organizations to proactively assess their overall security posture at a fraction of the cost.

IBM Security Randori offers a CART solution called IBM Security Randori Attack Targeted. This solution helps organizations clarify their cyber risk by continuously testing and validating their security program. The solution seamlessly integrates with existing internal red teams or can be used independently. With Randori Attack Targeted, organizations can gain insights into the effectiveness of their defenses, making advanced security accessible for mid-sized organizations.

Elevate Cybersecurity Resilience with IBM Security Randori

IBM Security Randori provides the CART solution, IBM Security Randori Attack Targeted, which delivers ongoing security program testing and validation. A study conducted by Forrester Consulting found that utilizing augmented red team activities with Randori Attack Targeted resulted in 75% labor savings. This solution offers advanced security insights and is suitable for organizations of all sizes.

For more information about IBM Security Randori Attack Targeted, visit the IBM Security website.

FAQ

What is red teaming in cybersecurity?

Red teaming is a form of security testing where skilled professionals simulate real-world attacks to assess an organization’s defenses. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in order to improve cybersecurity posture.

How does red teaming differ from penetration testing?

Red teaming goes beyond penetration testing by simulating the full attack lifecycle. While penetration testing focuses on finding vulnerabilities and gaining access to security controls, red teaming aims to mimic the tactics and techniques of real threat actors to assess an organization’s overall security effectiveness.

What is continuous automated red teaming (CART)?

Continuous automated red teaming (CART) leverages automation tools and techniques to continually assess an organization’s security posture. CART helps discover assets, prioritize vulnerabilities, and conduct real-world attacks, providing ongoing visibility into defense performance at a fraction of the cost.

When should an organization engage a red team?

Engaging a red team can be beneficial for any organization, regardless of size. It is recommended when an organization wants to understand program-level questions, test incident response plans, or train security team members.

What is IBM Security Randori Attack Targeted?

IBM Security Randori Attack Targeted is a CART solution offered by IBM Security Randori. It provides ongoing security program testing and validation, allowing organizations to continuously assess their cybersecurity resilience. Randori Attack Targeted offers insights into defense effectiveness and is suitable for organizations of all sizes.