Red Teaming

Red Teaming

Red Teaming assesses technologies, employees, internal processes, and physical security, helping organizations identify weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.

It provides the greatest value to companies in banking, fintech, healthcare, energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and e-commerce, where a successful cyberattack can have a significant impact on business continuity, the protection of sensitive data, or compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Red Teaming

We are trusted by Fortune 500 companies worldwide

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What is Red Teaming?

Red Teaming is the most comprehensive and realistic simulation of a real-world cyberattack, allowing you to test your organization’s security. Unlike traditional penetration testing, it does not focus solely on identifying technical vulnerabilities. Its objective is to assess the resilience of the organization as a whole, including its technologies, people, processes, and physical security.

It is a simulated attack that combines an OSINT phase (gathering information about the company and its employees from public and non-public sources, including leaked databases), human-factor attacks, digital intrusion, and physical security testing. The objective is to gain access to critical systems or take control of the IT infrastructure.

Rather than testing individual systems in isolation, we assess the entire infrastructure, including employees, internal processes, and security measures. If your organization has a Blue Team, we also evaluate its ability to detect, escalate, and stop the simulated attack. If needed, we can extend the simulation to include elements of Purple Teaming, in which attackers and defenders work closely together to improve detection and response mechanisms.

Unlike traditional penetration testing, the result is not a list of vulnerabilities. Instead, you receive a realistic scenario showing what an actual security incident could look like, how your organization would respond, and which areas need improvement.

How Does a Cyberattack Simulation Work?

Target Reconnaissance (OSINT)

We gather information from public and non-public sources, social media, and leaked databases. As part of OSINT, we analyze the digital footprint of the organization and its employees. Like today’s attackers, we also use artificial intelligence tools to correlate large volumes of data.

Human Factor

We assess employees’ resilience to phishing, fraudulent phone calls, and social engineering techniques. Just like real attackers, we also use artificial intelligence to create convincing pretexts, AI-generated messages, voice clones, and deepfake phone calls.

Physical Intrusion

We test the organization’s physical security, including entry systems, access controls, and the protection of sensitive areas. We simulate scenarios that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to buildings or devices or take control of parts of the internal infrastructure.

Digital Intrusion

After gaining initial access, we simulate an attacker’s movement through the internal network. We assess opportunities for privilege escalation and access to critical systems and sensitive data. All scenarios are carried out without disrupting the organization’s normal operations, with a strong focus on the security of the tested environment.

Final Report

The result is a detailed report describing the techniques used, the weaknesses identified, and the attack paths that led to a successful intrusion. It also includes specific recommendations and proposed remediation measures to strengthen the organization’s cyber resilience.

Red Teaming Assesses Three Pillars of Cybersecurity

Modern cyberattacks rarely rely on a single critical vulnerability. Attackers combine multiple techniques and gradually exploit technical weaknesses, human error, and flaws in internal processes. Their objective is to create an attack path that enables them to gain access to sensitive data or critical systems.

Red Teaming therefore does not assess individual components in isolation. It simulates a realistic attack scenario and tests three key areas that determine an organization’s level of cyber resilience.

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People

We test employees’ resilience to phishing, social engineering, and other techniques attackers use to gain access to the organization.

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Technology

We assess applications, cloud services, internal infrastructure, and other technologies that could allow attackers to access critical systems.

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Processes

We assess detection mechanisms, escalation procedures, and the organization’s ability to respond to security incidents and stop an attack.

Red Teaming vs. Penetration Testing

Penetration Testing and Red Teaming complement each other. Both methods are among the most effective ways to assess the level of cybersecurity and help organizations identify weaknesses before attackers can exploit them. Although they use similar techniques, their objectives, methodologies, and testing scope differ significantly.

Penetration Testing focuses on identifying technical vulnerabilities in a specific application, system, or part of the infrastructure. Experienced ethical hackers determine whether these vulnerabilities can be exploited, assess their potential impact, and recommend measures to address the identified risks.

Red Teaming goes a step further. It simulates the actions of a real-world attacker and assesses the resilience of the entire organization. In addition to technology, it tests the human factor, internal processes, physical security, detection mechanisms, and the ability of security teams to respond to a cyberattack. The objective is not to identify as many vulnerabilities as possible, but to determine whether the organization can detect and stop an attack in time and minimize its impact. Organizations with their own Blue Team can also apply Purple Teaming principles to support closer collaboration between attackers and defenders.

When Should You Choose Red Teaming?

If you need to determine whether your organization is prepared to detect and stop a real-world cyberattack, Red Teaming provides a more comprehensive assessment than penetration testing alone.

Penetration Testing Red Teaming
Identifies technical vulnerabilities. Simulates the behavior of a real-world attacker.
Tests a specific application, system, or part of the infrastructure. Assesses the resilience of the organization as a whole.
The project has a clearly defined testing scope. The attack scenario is adapted to the defined objective.
The IT team actively participates in the testing. Security teams are often unaware of the simulated attack.
The objective is to identify and manually verify vulnerabilities. The objective is to assess the ability to detect, stop, and manage an attack.
The output is an overview of vulnerabilities and remediation recommendations. The output is an analysis of the attack path and the resilience of the entire organization.

What Will You Receive After Red Teaming?

Red Teaming does not end with a successful attack simulation. Once the project is complete, you will receive a detailed overview of the techniques used, the vulnerabilities identified, and the attack paths that could lead to your organization being compromised. Our work does not end with identifying weaknesses. We analyze the results with you in detail, propose specific measures to address the identified risks, and help you strengthen your cyber resilience and readiness to meet regulatory requirements such as NIS2 and DORA.

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Technical Report

After the Red Teaming exercise, you will receive a detailed report describing the techniques used, identified vulnerabilities, and steps that led to a successful intrusion. It also includes evidence of exploitability and remediation recommendations.

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Attack Path Analysis

We show you how the attacker gained access to your organization, which weaknesses were exploited, and how they moved through the internal network. The attack path analysis provides a clearer understanding of how individual vulnerabilities contributed to the success of the attack.

03

Executive Summary

The deliverables also include an executive summary prepared for company management. It provides an overview of the most important findings, their potential impact on the organization, and the recommended priorities for addressing the identified risks.

04

Results Consultation

We review the Red Teaming results with you in detail during a joint consultation. We explain each finding, answer your questions, and recommend specific measures to help strengthen your organization’s resilience against future cyberattacks.

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Remediation Measures

We help you prioritize the identified risks and propose specific technical, procedural, and organizational measures. The objective is not only to address individual vulnerabilities but also to strengthen the security of the entire organization over the long term.

What Do You Gain from Our Red Teaming?

Simulácia reálneho kybernetického útoku odhalí slabé miesta, ktoré sa pri bežnom bezpečnostnom testovaní nemusia prejaviť. Získate objektívny pohľad na pripravenosť organizácie čeliť moderným kybernetickým hrozbám.

A realistic cyberattack simulation reveals weaknesses that may remain hidden during conventional security testing. You gain an objective view of your organization’s readiness to face modern cyber threats.

We assess the ability of your security teams to identify an attack, escalate the incident correctly, and take appropriate action. We also verify whether your detection mechanisms are truly effective.

Attackers rarely exploit a single vulnerability. They combine technical weaknesses, human error, and flaws in internal processes. Red Teaming uncovers attack paths that could lead to your organization being compromised.

Red Teaming results provide valuable insights for managing cyber risks and support compliance with regulatory frameworks such as NIS2 and DORA, including TLPT based on the TIBER-EU methodology.

You receive specific recommendations for addressing identified risks and strengthening the protection of sensitive data, business processes, and critical systems.

Who Is Red Teaming For?

Experienced Ethical Hackers Behind Every Red Teaming Exercise

Experienced Ethical Hackers Behind Every Red Teaming Exercise

Our experience is built on hundreds of completed security projects. This enables us to uncover attack paths and security weaknesses that could remain undetected during conventional testing.

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What Our Clients Say

ComAp_reference

"We started working with Citadelo in 2015. They opened up broad horizons in the field of cybersecurity for us, and we showed them the hidden corners of industrial automation. Since then, we have successfully collaborated on several joint projects, including auditing our devices, which are mostly based on proprietary solutions. The Citadelo team helped us identify a number of specific measures that, even in the often tight conditions of industrial automation, allowed us to elevate the cybersecurity of our products to a new level. Citadelo also taught us to think in a slightly different way than before."

ComAp a.s.

Jan Tomandl | Chief Product Analyst

Dr.Max, a.s.

"At Dr.Max pharmacies, we emphasize professional services in all aspects - whether it’s our brick-and-mortar pharmacies or our website. Penetration tests conducted by Citadelo have helped us set the security level of our online store’s environment to a professional standard. Citadelo responded to all situations flexibly, dynamically, and with a high level of expertise."

Dr.Max, a.s., Slovensko

Slavomír Záborský | Head of IT

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"During a major customer engagement, we were required to provide independent proof that our identity verification solution is resilient against injection attacks. We selected Citadelo for their expertise, reputation, and ability to meet the customer's demanding timeline. Their rigorous assessment provided valuable independent validation and reinforced confidence in the robustness of our technology."

Innovatrics, s.r.o.

Viktor Bielko | IDV Toolkit Product Manager

orange_reference

"Choosing Citadelo as a security supplier was absolutely the right choice. Thanks to their expertise, high-quality reports, and excellent communication, we have implemented many important security improvements which have allowed us to take the data security of our company several steps further."

Orange Slovensko a.s.

Henrich Snajder | Information Security Manager

realpad_reference

"We appreciate your client-oriented approach, professionalism, excellent communication, and willingness to help."

Realpad, s.r.o.

Matěj Vitásek | Chief Technical Office

YOUPLUS

"Citadelo's expertise is backed by the experience we've gained through our joint projects. Their professionalism and flexibility in identifying vulnerabilities within the paperless insurance environment are essential to us. Our mutual trust is built on their strong ethical standards and unwavering reliability in protecting our clients' sensitive data. They are a partner that keeps pace with the realities of today's cyber threats.!

YOUPLUS Životná poisťovňa

Vlastimil Šmihula | CIO

unionpoistovna_reference

"The penetration testing report provided us with an objective view of the security of our applications. We were satisfied with the terms and the execution of the service."

Union zdravotná poisťovňa, a. s.

Martin Spišák | Head of IT

Lidl reference

"At Lidl, we take IT security seriously. We believe that it is essential to constantly improve it, which is why we chose Citadelo to test our device and application. We have been very impressed with their work, cooperation, and results."

Lidl a.s.

Petra Zorvanová | ISO & Team Coordinator

Trustpay_reference

"We consider Citadelo to be a trustworthy partner in developing both the process and technical aspects of information security. We appreciate their expertise, professional approach, and the results of their work."

TrustPay a.s.

Ivan Poliačik

costlocker_reference

"Collaboration with the Citadelo team was extremely smooth. The guys knew exactly what to do, true professionals through and through. If you have an application, e-shop, or any online platform dealing with sensitive data, they are the best you can find."

Costlocker a.s.

Tomáš Wojcik | CEO & Co-founder

Penta_reference

"Our collaboration in the field of information security is long-term. During this period, I have repeatedly been convinced of both their professional and personal qualities."

PENTA INVESTMENTS LIMITED o. z.

Michal Prónay | Head of IT

Why Choose Citadelo for Red Teaming?

Read the Ethical Hacking Report

Red Teaming is one of the most comprehensive forms of security testing. It requires a combination of technical expertise and experience in social engineering, physical security, and simulating the behavior of real-world attackers.

Our team of 47 certified experts holds internationally recognized certifications, including OSCP, OSEP, OSWE, CRTO, PNPT, CISSP, and others. Our ethical hackers deliver security projects for organizations of all sizes and use techniques that reflect current cyber threats.

Our services are trusted by Fortune 500 companies and organizations in banking, finance, automotive, telecommunications, energy, media, and the public sector. We test web applications, cloud environments, APIs, internal infrastructure, mobile applications, and AI systems.

Our recommendations are based on real-world security testing experience, not theoretical models. Every year, we analyze the results of hundreds of projects and publish them in our Ethical Hacking Report, which provides up-to-date insights into vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and emerging cyber risks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Teaming

Penetration testing focuses on identifying and verifying technical vulnerabilities in a specific application, system, or part of the infrastructure. Red Teaming simulates the actions of a real-world attacker and assesses the resilience of the entire organization, including its technologies, employees, internal processes, and physical security.

The duration depends on the size of the organization, the testing scope, and the defined objectives. A project typically takes several weeks, with the exact timeline determined after an initial consultation and definition of the attack scenario.

Yes. The scope and scenario can be adapted to the organization’s size, infrastructure, and risk profile. It is particularly valuable for organizations that manage sensitive data or critical systems or need to assess their readiness for a cyberattack.

It depends on the project’s objectives. In some cases, only a small group of designated individuals is informed about the simulated attack, allowing the detection and response capabilities of the security team to be assessed objectively. When Purple Teaming is included, the Red Team and Blue Team work together and evaluate each stage of the attack.

Yes. The scenario can include cloud environments, applications, APIs, internal infrastructure, mobile applications, and AI and LLM systems. The testing scope is always adapted to the technologies used by the organization and the risks that need to be assessed.

DORA does not require every financial institution to conduct Red Teaming. However, selected financial entities are required to undergo Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT). Red Teaming can serve as valuable preparation for this regulated testing and help assess the effectiveness of security measures in advance.

The cost depends on the testing scope, the size and complexity of the infrastructure, the defined objectives, and the scenarios used. We prepare a tailored quotation after an initial consultation, during which we define the project’s scope and objectives.

Red Teaming is planned to avoid disrupting the organization’s normal operations or compromising the security of the tested environment. The scenarios, limitations, and rules of engagement are agreed upon before the project begins. Any potentially high-risk steps are carried out only with prior approval from the designated stakeholders.

Red Teaming is a simulation of a real-world cyberattack whose scope and objectives are adapted to the organization’s needs. TLPT is a regulated form of threat-led testing required under DORA for selected financial entities. It follows defined requirements and a methodology based on the TIBER-EU framework.

TIBER-EU is a European framework for testing the cyber resilience of financial institutions through controlled, threat-led attacks. It defines the roles, rules, and phases of testing, from threat intelligence and attack simulation to reviewing the results and implementing remediation measures.

In Red Teaming, an offensive team simulates the actions of a real-world attacker and assesses the organization’s ability to detect and stop the attack. Purple Teaming is based on closer collaboration between the Red Team and Blue Team. Attackers and defenders jointly analyze each step and continuously improve detection and response mechanisms.

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