Red Teaming is a comprehensive security assessment designed to simulate real-world attacks on an organization's digital and physical defenses. This practice tests the effectiveness of security measures by identifying vulnerabilities, testing assumptions, and evaluating the responses of an organization under conditions as close to real as possible.

While penetration testing focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications through targeted attacks, Red Teaming provides a broader assessment that mimics a real-world adversary. It includes multi-layered attack simulations involving physical, digital, and social engineering techniques to test how well an organization can withstand an attack from a determined adversary.

Expect a thorough examination of your security measures that includes exploiting vulnerabilities, attempting social engineering, and testing physical security defenses. The outcome is a detailed report with findings, evidence of how breaches were achieved, and recommendations for remediation.

Organizations with mature security programs that need to test the effectiveness of their entire security posture should consider Red Teaming. This is especially relevant for sectors with high-value assets at risk, such as finance, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology.

The frequency can vary depending on several factors including changes to your security infrastructure, compliance requirements, or after significant upgrades to IT systems. Typically, it is recommended to conduct Red Team exercises annually or bi-annually to ensure continuous security improvements.

Red Teaming can be designed to minimize disruption. Most activities are conducted in a way that they don't severely impact daily operations. However, certain aspects, especially those testing incident response, may involve controlled disruptions to observe real reactions.

Preparation typically involves defining the scope with the Red Team, setting communication protocols, and ensuring all relevant stakeholders are informed about the exercise's extent and nature. This preparation helps minimize risks and aligns the exercise with organizational priorities.

Deliverables include a comprehensive report detailing the vulnerabilities discovered, the methods used to exploit them, the data accessed, and recommendations for strengthening defenses. It also often includes a debriefing session where the Red Team presents their findings.