Penetration Testing Teams vs Red Teams

Study Notes

Comprise of security professionals who conduct simulated attacks on an organization's computer systems, networks, and applications to test defenses and identify vulnerabilities.
Focus on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses, and providing recommendations for remediation and mitigation.
Typically, penetration testers:
- Identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications.
- Develop and execute exploits to demonstrate the impact of identified vulnerabilities.
- Provide detailed reports on findings and recommendations for remediation.
- Work with the organization's IT team to fix identified vulnerabilities.

Comprise of security professionals who mimic real-world attacks on an organization's physical and cyber defenses to test incident response, crisis management, and overall security posture.
Focus on simulating real-world attacks, including social engineering, physical breaches, and cyber attacks, to test the organization's ability to detect, respond to, and contain threats.
Typically, Red Team members:
- Conduct advanced, realistic attacks on the organization's physical and cyber defenses.
- Use tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) similar to those used by real-world attackers.
- Test incident response, crisis management, and overall security posture.
- Provide feedback and recommendations for improving incident response and crisis management.

Penetration testing teams focus on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses, while Red Teams focus on simulating real-world attacks to test incident response and crisis management.
Penetration testers typically have a more technical focus, while Red Team members may have a broader range of skills, including social engineering, physical security, and crisis management.

Conduct simulated attacks on an organization's computer systems, networks, and applications to test defenses and identify vulnerabilities.
Focus on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses, and providing recommendations for remediation and mitigation.
Typically, penetration testers:
- Identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications.
- Develop and execute exploits to demonstrate the impact of identified vulnerabilities.
- Provide detailed reports on findings and recommendations for remediation.
- Work with the organization's IT team to fix identified vulnerabilities.

Mimic real-world attacks on an organization's physical and cyber defenses to test incident response, crisis management, and overall security posture.
Focus on simulating real-world attacks, including social engineering, physical breaches, and cyber attacks, to test the organization's ability to detect, respond to, and contain threats.
Typically, Red Team members:
- Conduct advanced, realistic attacks on the organization's physical and cyber defenses.
- Use tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) similar to those used by real-world attackers.
- Test incident response, crisis management, and overall security posture.
- Provide feedback and recommendations for improving incident response and crisis management.

Penetration testing teams focus on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses, while Red Teams focus on simulating real-world attacks to test incident response and crisis management.
Penetration testers have a more technical focus, while Red Team members have a broader range of skills, including social engineering, physical security, and crisis management.