A standard penetration test is like checking if your client's doors and windows are locked. A red team exercise is like hiring a team of spies to bypass the guards, crack the safe, and get out without anyone knowing they were there. It’s a full simulation of a real-world cyberattack.
This is where you find out how your client's people, processes, and technology really hold up against a motivated attacker.
Understanding What Red Team Exercises Accomplish
For an MSP or vCISO, a red team exercise provides answers that go way beyond a simple vulnerability scan and even a pentest. It swaps a basic checklist of weaknesses for a true measure of security readiness. No checklist like OWASP Top 10 but go over every little risk. The goal isn't just to find a few bugs; it's about achieving a specific, high-stakes objective.
What happens if our defense fails?
This could be getting access to sensitive data that proves SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance. An adversarial simulation shows you how attackers operate in the wild. It’s a more advanced, hands-on version of conducting thorough security threat assessments, but with a live opponent trying to break in.
How Red Teaming Differs from Penetration Testing
Many clients use red team exercises and penetration testing as if they are the same thing, but they are very different tools. Getting this right is critical for MSPs and vCISOs who need to scope the right security assessment for their clients. It's the difference between checking for unlocked doors and simulating a full-blown bank heist. What do we do if the vault has been accessed?
A penetration test is a broad search for any and all vulnerabilities an attacker could exploit. A red team exercise, on the other hand, is a focused, mission-driven attack that simulates a real-world adversary with a specific goal, all while trying not to get caught. Our affordable and fast testing services, conducted by OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters, make both options accessible for your clients.
Comparing Goals and Scope in Security Testing
The main goal of a penetration test is breadth. Our certified pentesters aim to find as many vulnerabilities as they can across a clearly defined scope, like a web application or an external network. This is essential for compliance frameworks like PCI DSS.
In contrast, the goal of a red team exercise is depth and stealth. The objective is laser-focused, like "gain access to the financial database." Our team will use whatever it takes from social engineering to network exploits to achieve that one goal, testing a company's detection and response capabilities along the way.
Understanding the Lifecycle of a Red Team Engagement
A real red team exercise is a structured operation that happens in specific phases. For any MSP or vCISO reselling these services, walking a client through this lifecycle shows them the true value. Think of it as a complete story of a simulated attack, from planning to the final report.
Every stage is carried out manually by our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters. This is crucial because it mirrors the creative and persistent nature of a human attacker, which an automated scanner can never replicate. This process shows the fundamental difference between a broad vulnerability scan and the focused approach of a red team.
A red team exercise isn't about finding every tiny crack. It’s about following a strategic path to achieve a specific, high-value objective. This includes reconnaissance, gaining an initial foothold, moving through the network, and finally achieving the goal, all while testing the client's defenses.
Exploring Practical Scenarios for Your MSP Clients
Talking about red teaming in theory is fine, but showing a client what a real attack looks like proves its value. As an MSP or vCISO, your job is to show clients how these focused simulations give them hard proof of their security posture. Our white label pentesting services are designed around objectives that hit on your clients' biggest fears, especially around compliance.
Our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters don't just hunt for random vulnerabilities; they act like a real adversary. This can include scenarios like trying to access and alter financial records to test SOC 2 controls, or breaking into a database of protected health information (PHI) to test HIPAA security. We deliver these services quickly and affordably to help your clients succeed.
Why MSPs Need White Label Red Teaming Services
The managed service and compliance industry has a problem: inflated prices, bad testing methodology, and long lead times. Too many penetration testing providers are known for this, leaving MSPs and vCISOs in a tough spot. You either pay a fortune for real testing or settle for a cheap scan that offers little value.
We are the solution. Our business is built on a channel-only model, which means we are your partner, never your competitor. We help you—the MSP, vCISO, or GRC company become the go-to security advisor for your clients by offering affordable, manual, and fast white label pentesting. This allows you to solve your clients' toughest security problems without the massive cost of building your own team of pentesters.
Your Best Partner for Affordable Red Team Exercises
Choosing the right security testing partner is a big decision that impacts your client relationships and your bottom line. We built our entire business to fix the biggest headaches in the compliance and managed service world. Our value proposition is simple: we are a channel-only partner obsessed with making you look like a hero to your clients.
When you partner with us, you get three huge advantages. You get fair pricing that protects your margins. You get manual pentesting from OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pros who find what scanners miss. And you get quick turnarounds to help your clients meet their SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS deadlines. We will never compete with you for your clients; we only exist to support our partners.
Answering Your Top Red Teaming Questions
Jumping into something as intense as a red team exercise can feel like a big leap, especially when you're reselling it. You have questions, and we have straight answers based on years of experience. A typical engagement runs from two to six weeks, providing the time needed for a stealthy, realistic simulation that's perfect for a risk assessment.
While frameworks like SOC 2 and HIPAA don't use the words "red team exercise," they do demand that you test security controls. A red team exercise is the smartest way to do that. Our white label pentesting is designed so you look like the hero, with your logo on every report. We provide the expert security crew behind the scenes so you can shine.
Contact us today to learn more about our reseller program.
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