Every year, cybercriminals are getting smarter and coming after any business, regardless of size.
Phishing remains a powerful tool for attackers. This type of attack can instantly compromise a business network, while threat actors can target particular people and/or organizations. Last year, phishing activity surged, with a 28% increase in phishing emails from April to June. That figure is expected to keep rising through 2025 as threat actors adopt new technologies to advance attack techniques.
Like any other aspect of business, a proactive approach to cybersecurity is essential for getting ahead of these attacks. Your organization needs to gauge its susceptibility to an attack by testing systems and networks before a threat actor does. So, how do you do this?
The role of penetration testing
A penetration test (pen test) is a controlled cybersecurity assessment where ethical hackers try to break into your system just like real attackers would. This helps identify weaknesses before criminals can exploit them.
Pen testers use specialized tools and techniques to find vulnerabilities in your information technology (IT) infrastructure. The test results in a detailed report outlining security risks and areas that need improvement. By acting on these insights, businesses can strengthen digital defences and lower the risk of a cyberattack.
For organizations seeking a deeper, more realistic test of security, red teaming offers an even more advanced approach.
Testing approaches
Red teaming
Red teaming is a step beyond standard pen testing. It simulates real-world attacks by using the same tactics and techniques as actual hackers. Instead of focusing on specific systems, red teaming assesses an entire business’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
What sets red teaming apart is its holistic approach. It doesn’t just test technology but also evaluates technical controls, people, and processes:
• Technical controls: Examines how well security tools, firewalls, and monitoring systems detect and prevent attacks.
• People: Tests employee awareness and response to cyber threats, including phishing and social engineering tactics.
• Processes: Reviews the organization's incident response plans, security protocols, and how effectively teams react to an attack.
By assessing these areas, red teaming helps businesses understand not just where vulnerabilities are but also how well employees and processes work under pressure.
Assumed breach
Instead of simulating an external attack, this approach assumes that attackers have already gained access to the system. The goal is to assess how well internal security measures, response teams, and processes can detect and contain the threat before it spreads further.
Why this matters
Penetration testing and red teaming aren’t just about finding weaknesses; the services help businesses think like hackers and improve security before real threats strike. By identifying risks and fixing them early, organizations can stay ahead of cybercriminals and protect data, reputation, and customers.
Click here to learn more about our services and here to learn the difference between an attack simulation and pen testing.
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