Penetration Testing vs. Red Team Exercises: Understanding the Differences and Applicable Cybersecurity Frameworks

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for organizations of all sizes and in all industries. As threats to data security become more sophisticated, it is essential for organizations to have robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect against potential attacks. One important aspect of cybersecurity is testing, which involves assessing an organization's systems and networks for vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Two common methods of testing are penetration testing and red team exercises. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two methods and how they can be used to improve an organization's overall security posture.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, or pen testing, is a security assessment where a team of experts simulates an attack on an organization's systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a real attacker. The goal of pen testing is to uncover specific vulnerabilities and provide recommendations on how to remediate them. There are different types of pen testing, including black-box testing, white-box testing, and grey-box testing, which vary in the level of information provided to the testing team. Penetration testing follows a defined methodology and involves using automated tools and manual techniques to try and exploit known vulnerabilities.

Applicable cybersecurity frameworks and controls for penetration testing include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The benefits of penetration testing include identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers, improving security controls, and meeting regulatory compliance requirements.

Here are some of the different types of penetration testing that organizations can consider:

1. Black Box Testing - In this type of testing, the tester has no prior knowledge of the system or network being tested. This is the most realistic type of testing since it simulates the approach of a real attacker. The tester will attempt to gain access to the system through various means and identify any vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
2. White Box Testing - This type of testing is the opposite of black-box testing. The tester has complete knowledge of the system and network being tested, including access to system documentation, source code, and other relevant information. This approach is useful in identifying deeper security issues that may not be apparent from the outside.
3. Grey Box Testing - This is a combination of black-box and white-box testing. In this approach, the tester has limited knowledge of the system being tested, simulating the access that an attacker with some insider knowledge might have.

Regardless of the type of penetration testing, the areas covered in a test will be similar. Here are some of the areas that are typically assessed in a penetration test:

1. Network and Infrastructure - This includes the organization's servers, routers, switches, and other network components. The tester will attempt to identify vulnerabilities in these components that could be exploited by attackers.
2. Applications - Applications are often the weakest link in an organization's security chain. The tester will look for vulnerabilities in applications, including web applications, mobile applications, and custom applications.
3. Physical Security - Physical security is often overlooked in cybersecurity testing, but it is essential to have strong physical security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to the organization's premises and equipment.
4. Social Engineering - Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people to gain access to information or systems that they should not have access to. This can include phishing attacks, pretexting, and other techniques.
5. Wireless Networks - Wireless networks are often a weak point in an organization's security chain. The tester will assess the organization's wireless networks, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Red Team Exercises

Red team exercises, on the other hand, are a broader and more comprehensive security assessment that goes beyond just identifying vulnerabilities. In a red team exercise, a team of security experts, often from outside the organization, tries to breach the organization's systems and networks using a range of techniques that mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real-world attackers. The goal of a red team exercise is to identify gaps in an organization's security posture, including people, processes, and technology, and to provide recommendations on how to improve overall security. Red team exercises are often open-ended and may involve social engineering, physical security testing, and other techniques to test an organization's overall security readiness.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides guidelines on how to conduct a red team exercise in their publication SP 800-115.  In Chapter 6, NIST 800-115 defines red team exercises as "a comprehensive attempt to simulate an attack against a target system or facility, often involving a team of individuals with different skills and backgrounds working together to breach the security measures in place." The chapter goes on to provide detailed guidance on how to plan, conduct, and report on red team exercises, including reconnaissance activities, threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and exploitation activities.

According to NIST, a red team exercise should be conducted in the following steps:

1. Planning - The first step in a red team exercise is to develop a plan that outlines the objectives of the exercise, the scope of the assessment, and the methodologies and tools that will be used. The plan should also identify any constraints or limitations, such as legal or ethical considerations.
2. Reconnaissance - The second step is to conduct reconnaissance activities, such as gathering information about the organization's infrastructure, systems, and personnel. This step is critical because it allows the red team to understand the organization's attack surface and identify potential vulnerabilities.
3. Threat Modeling - In this step, the red team analyzes the information gathered in the reconnaissance phase to identify potential threats and attack scenarios. The goal is to identify the most likely and damaging attacks that could be launched against the organization.
4. Vulnerability Analysis - Once the potential threats and attack scenarios have been identified, the red team conducts a vulnerability analysis to identify weaknesses that can be exploited by an attacker. This step involves using various tools and techniques to test the organization's systems and processes for vulnerabilities.
5. Exploitation - In this step, the red team attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities identified in the previous step to gain access to the organization's systems, data, or facilities. This step is designed to simulate a real attack and test the organization's security controls and incident response procedures.
6. Reporting - The final step is to document the findings of the red team exercise and provide recommendations for remediation. The report should identify the vulnerabilities that were identified, the attack scenarios that were successful, and the strengths and weaknesses of the organization's security controls and incident response procedures.

Applicable cybersecurity frameworks and controls for red team exercises include the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the Mitre ATT&CK Framework. The benefits of red team exercises include identifying weaknesses in an organization's security posture that may not be identified through other methods, improving incident response readiness, and identifying opportunities for security awareness training.

Differences Between Penetration Testing and Red Team Exercises

While both penetration testing and red team exercises are important tools for assessing an organization's security posture, they have different scopes and objectives. Penetration testing is a focused exercise that identifies specific vulnerabilities, while red team exercises are more comprehensive and test an organization's overall security readiness. Penetration testing follows a defined methodology and is often automated, while red team exercises are open-ended and involve human decision-making.

While both assessments are designed to simulate an attack, there are some key differences between the two.

1. Objectives: The primary objective of a penetration test is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in an organization's systems, processes, and personnel to determine the extent to which an attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. In contrast, a red team exercise is designed to simulate a real-world attack scenario and test an organization's security controls and incident response procedures to see how well they can detect and respond to an attack.
2. Scope: A penetration test typically has a well-defined scope and is focused on a specific system, application, or network. In contrast, a red team exercise is more open-ended and may involve multiple systems, applications, and networks. A red team exercise may also include social engineering and physical security testing in addition to technical testing.
3. Methodology: Penetration testing generally follows a structured methodology, such as the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) methodology, to ensure that all aspects of the system or network are tested. In contrast, a red team exercise is less structured and may involve creative and unorthodox methods to achieve the objectives of the exercise.
4. Reporting: Penetration testing typically results in a report that details the vulnerabilities that were identified and provides recommendations for remediation. In contrast, a red team exercise typically results in a more comprehensive report that not only identifies vulnerabilities but also evaluates the organization's security controls and incident response procedures.
5. Participants: Penetration testing is typically conducted by a single individual or a small team of security professionals. In contrast, a red team exercise involves a larger team of individuals with different skills and backgrounds working together to simulate an attack.

Common Misconceptions and Confusions

It is common for people to confuse penetration testing with vulnerability scanning, which is a more automated process that identifies known vulnerabilities but does not attempt to exploit them. Similarly, there may be confusion between penetration testing and red team exercises, as both involve simulating attacks on an organization's systems and networks. However, the scope and objectives of the two methods are different, and organizations should understand which method is best suited for their needs.

Red Team Exercise Requirements

There is no specific cybersecurity framework that requires a red team exercise. However, several cybersecurity frameworks and standards recommend or suggest red team exercises as a best practice for assessing an organization's security posture and testing the effectiveness of its security controls.

One such framework is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), which is widely used by organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. While the CSF does not require a red team exercise, it does recommend conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in an organization's systems and processes.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is a set of security standards for organizations that handle credit card data, also recommends regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to ensure the security of cardholder data. The PCI DSS does not specifically require a red team exercise, but it may be included as part of a comprehensive security testing program.

In addition, the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) recommends conducting regular security testing, including red team exercises, to ensure that an organization's security controls are effective and can withstand an attack.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both penetration testing and red team exercises are valuable tools for assessing an organization's security posture. While they have some similarities, they have different scopes and objectives, and organizations should understand which method is best suited for their needs. By conducting regular testing, organizations can identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses and take proactive steps to improve their overall security posture.

References:

• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). Guide for Conducting Risk Assessments (Special Publication 800-30 Revision 1). Retrieved from https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-30r1.pdf
• Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). (2021). Penetration Testing. Retrieved from https://owasp.org/www-community/Penetration_testing
• SANS Institute. (2021). Red Team Exercises. Retrieved from https://www.sans.org/blog/red-team-exercises/