Red team vs blue team – what are cybersecurity teams?

In the world of cybersecurity, every day is a specific battle with invisible opponents who are constantly trying to break through our defense lines. In order to effectively protect digital fortresses, IT security specialists have divided themselves into teams with colorful names, such as the red team , blue team or purple team . Each of these teams has a different task - some attack, others defend, and others join forces to achieve even better results. But what exactly is hidden behind these names? What is the work of these teams? Let's find out.

What is a red team?

Red team is a team that deals with conducting offensive security tests on the IT systems of a given organization . A person belonging to the red team is therefore a security specialist whose main task is to simulate hacker attacks. All this in order to discover weak points and potential security gaps before real cybercriminals do it. Their activities are broad, wide-ranging, more holistic than those performed by a pentester (focusing on a specific, pre-defined part of the IT infrastructure, e.g. testing the security of one application, network or system).

The red team operates in a manner that mimics real attackers, using techniques such as:

• penetration testing,
• phishing ,
• or social engineering.

Thanks to this, they can identify and report weak points in the entire IT infrastructure that require improvement. Often, the red team includes ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers ( a security specialist who, unlike a black hat hacker, legally breaks security on behalf of the organization, thus helping it to be better prepared for real threats).

What is the blue team?

A person working in the blue team is an IT security specialist who is responsible for protecting and defending the organization's IT infrastructure against cyberattacks. The blue team security monitors, detects and responds to any attempts to breach the security of systems . The blue team must of course work with other teams to regularly conduct attack simulations ( red team vs blue team ). The aim of these exercises is to identify weak points in the defense and eliminate them quickly. The blue team is often the first line of defense for an organization in the world of cybersecurity , working hard every day to ensure that IT systems are protected against increasingly sophisticated and advanced attacks. It is worth mentioning that the blue team also develops and enforces various policies and procedures that help protect IT systems. This often includes managing access to systems, regular software updates and educating employees on best security practices. Now that we know what the blue team and the red team are , it's time to describe one more team.

What is purple team?

The color purple is created by combining red and blue. What does this mean in the context of cybersecurity teams? That the idea of ​​a purple team combines the forces and activities of both the red team (responsible for offensive security testing) and the blue team (which defends systems from attacks). The purple team is often not a separate team, but rather a methodology for cooperation and communication between the red team and the blue team , aimed at optimizing the effectiveness of cybersecurity activities.

Interesting facts and a short conclusion about the teams

In the world of cybersecurity, effective defense against cyber threats requires truly harmonious and coordinated cooperation of various specialized teams. The red team takes on the role of the aggressor, simulating attacks to discover weaknesses in IT systems, while the blue team is responsible for their defense and monitoring. The cooperation between these teams is supported by the purple team, which optimizes their actions, combining offensive and defensive strategies. This approach allows for quick detection of vulnerabilities and effective response to threats, which is crucial for ensuring the security of the organization's digital assets.

While the concept of the purple team is relatively new, the idea of ​​cooperation between red and blue teams has its roots in military strategies. Similar to the military, where different branches work together to achieve a common goal, the purple team joins forces. All to better protect the organization's digital assets.

Did you know that this color-based team naming comes from military practices and gaming strategies? Red symbolizes attacking forces and blue represents defensive forces. Purple is a combination of both, symbolizing synergistic action. Over time, other colors such as yellow and green were added to expand the responsibilities of the teams. Have questions? Need equipment used by security professionals? Visit our SAPSAN store.