Red Teaming Services
Extended, real-world security assessments with custom attack scenarios and device development
What is Red Teaming?
Red teaming is an adversarial security assessment that simulates real-world attack scenarios over extended periods. Unlike traditional penetration testing that focuses on finding vulnerabilities within a short timeframe, our red team engagements span weeks or months, employing sophisticated tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that mirror actual threat actors.
Our red team operators combine offensive security expertise with custom hardware development capabilities. We design and deploy specialized devices tailored to your environment, creating realistic attack scenarios that test your organization's detection, response, and resilience capabilities under conditions that closely mirror genuine threats.
Beyond Traditional Penetration Testing
Traditional penetration tests typically last a few days to a week and focus on vulnerability discovery. Red teaming provides extended engagements (2-8 weeks or longer) that simulate advanced persistent threats, test your security operations center's detection capabilities, and validate your incident response procedures under realistic conditions.
Our Unique Red Team Capabilities
What sets PivotChip apart from traditional security firms
Custom Device Development
We design and fabricate specialized hardware tailored to your environment. From custom firmware to purpose-built attack platforms, we create devices that perfectly match engagement objectives.
Support for Security Professionals
We support other penetration testers and red team operators with device rentals, custom development, and technical assistance. Collaborate with us to enhance your engagements.
Extended Engagements
Our red team operations span 2-8 weeks or longer—not just a few days. This extended timeframe enables realistic attack scenarios, persistence testing, and validation of detection capabilities over time.
Physical Security Testing
Integrate physical security assessments with cyber attacks. Deploy custom devices, test physical access controls, and simulate realistic attack chains that combine physical and digital techniques.
Red Team Engagement Types
Objective-Based Red Teaming
Duration: 3-6 weeks
Focused on achieving specific objectives (access crown jewel data, compromise domain admin, establish persistent access) using any means necessary within rules of engagement.
- ✓ Defined objectives and success criteria
- ✓ Multi-vector attack approaches
- ✓ Custom device deployment
- ✓ Physical + cyber integration
Assumed Breach Scenarios
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Start with initial access credentials or device placement, then test lateral movement, privilege escalation, and objective achievement. Focuses on post-compromise detection and response.
- ✓ Bypass initial access phase
- ✓ Focus on lateral movement
- ✓ SOC detection validation
- ✓ Incident response testing
Purple Team Exercises
Duration: 1-3 weeks
Collaborative red/blue team exercises where defenders work alongside attackers to improve detection, response procedures, and security controls. Focus on learning and capability building.
- ✓ Collaborative approach
- ✓ Detection engineering focus
- ✓ Real-time feedback
- ✓ Control validation
Full-Scope Red Team Operations
Duration: 4-12 weeks
Comprehensive assessment with no restrictions except safety. All attack vectors in scope: physical, social engineering, wireless, application, network. Mirrors advanced threat actors.
- ✓ All attack vectors permitted
- ✓ Physical security testing
- ✓ Extended persistence
- ✓ Realistic threat simulation
OT/ICS Red Teaming
Duration: 3-8 weeks
Specialized red teaming for operational technology and industrial control systems. Test IT/OT boundaries, SCADA security, and potential impacts to physical processes with safety-first approach.
- ✓ Industrial protocol testing
- ✓ IT/OT segmentation validation
- ✓ Safety-conscious methodology
- ✓ Custom ICS device deployment
Continuous Red Teaming
Duration: 6-12 months
Ongoing adversary simulation with monthly or quarterly campaigns. Provides continuous validation of security improvements and emerging vulnerabilities. Ideal for mature security programs.
- ✓ Periodic attack campaigns
- ✓ Evolving threat scenarios
- ✓ Continuous improvement metrics
- ✓ Long-term partnership
Our Red Team Methodology
We follow a structured approach adapted from military red teaming, threat intelligence, and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK.
1. Recon
OSINT gathering, social media reconnaissance, infrastructure mapping, and target profiling
(1-2 weeks)
2. Initial Access
Phishing, physical access, device deployment, exploit vulnerabilities, supply chain attacks
(1-2 weeks)
3. Persistence
Create multiple access paths, deploy custom devices, establish C2 channels, backdoor accounts
(1-2 weeks)
4. Lateral Movement
Network traversal, credential theft, exploit trust relationships, privilege escalation
(1-3 weeks)
5. Objective Execution
Access target data, compromise critical systems, demonstrate business impact
(1-2 weeks)
6. Detection Evasion
Avoid SOC detection, clear logs selectively, maintain operational security
(ongoing)
7. Log Review and Reporting
Detailed attack timeline, MITRE ATT&CK mapping, evidence collection
(ongoing)
8. Debrief & Remediation
Hot wash with blue team, comprehensive reporting, remediation guidance
(1 week)
MITRE ATT&CK Integration
All red team activities are mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, providing your team with standardized descriptions of our tactics and techniques. This enables direct comparison with real-world threat intelligence and helps prioritize defensive improvements.
Red Team Engagement Deliverables
Executive Report
High-level overview of objectives achieved, business risk assessment, strategic recommendations for leadership and board.
Technical Report
Detailed timeline of all activities, TTPs employed, vulnerabilities exploited, persistence mechanisms, and complete attack chain documentation.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
Complete mapping of our activities to ATT&CK tactics and techniques, showing your coverage and gaps against real-world threats.
Detection Engineering Guide
Specific recommendations for detecting the techniques we used, including SIEM queries, log sources, and detection logic.
Proof of Concept Demos
Video demonstrations of critical findings, custom device operations, and attack chain execution for stakeholder presentations.
Team Debrief Session
Live walkthrough with your blue team, SOC analysts, and incident responders to discuss findings, detection opportunities, and lessons learned.
Automated Report Generation
All device logs are automatically processed through our Automated Reporting System, generating professional HTML reports with MITRE ATT&CK mapping in minutes. This ensures comprehensive documentation throughout the engagement.
Custom Devices in Red Team Operations
How our device development capabilities enhance red team engagements
Our ability to design and deploy custom devices is a game-changer for red team operations. These devices enable attack scenarios that would be impossible or impractical with standard tools.
Device Applications in Red Teaming:
Covert Deployment
- Devices disguised as everyday objects (phone chargers, USB drives, power adapters)
- Custom 3D-printed enclosures matching target environment aesthetics
- See our Custom Device Shell Design service
Long-Range Command & Control
- Wi-Fi HaLow devices for control from up to 1km away
- Cellular-enabled devices for remote access from anywhere
- Mesh networking for extending range through multiple devices
Credential Harvesting
- Network tap devices capturing authentication traffic
- Keyboard pass-through loggers for password capture
- Automated MITM attacks for hash collection
Persistent Access
- USB devices establishing persistent backdoors
- Network implants surviving reboots and security updates
- Hardware-based persistence bypassing software controls
Surveillance & Reconnaissance
- Screen capture devices monitoring user activity
- Network traffic analyzers mapping infrastructure
- Physical surveillance enabling social engineering
Specialized Environments
- Industrial devices for OT/ICS environments
- Medical equipment lookalikes for healthcare
- Ruggedized devices for harsh environments
Ethical Device Deployment
All device deployments follow strict protocols:
- Devices are tracked and recovered at engagement conclusion
- Remote wipe capabilities for operational security
- No data exfiltration beyond demonstration of capability
- Devices disabled or removed if engagement is terminated early
- Complete chain of custody documentation
Why Choose PivotChip for Red Teaming
Hardware Expertise
Unlike pure software-focused security firms, we design and build custom hardware that enables attack scenarios others can't replicate. Our devices are battle-tested across hundreds of engagements.
Extended Engagements
We don't rush. Our 2-8 week (or longer) engagements provide the time needed for realistic threat simulation, not just quick vulnerability scans.
Objective-Focused
We focus on achieving business-relevant objectives (data theft, system compromise, fraud simulation) not just collecting vulnerability counts.
Physical + Cyber
True threat actors use physical access when profitable. We integrate physical security testing with cyber attacks for realistic scenarios.
Automated Reporting
Our devices integrate with automated reporting infrastructure, providing real-time documentation and professional reports without manual effort.
Blue Team Partnership
We work collaboratively with your defensive teams, providing actionable detection engineering guidance and capability building.
Our Ethical Commitment
Red team operations require even stricter ethical standards than traditional testing. We follow our Ethical Use Policy and ensure:
- Explicit written authorization and statement of work before engagement begins
- Clear rules of engagement defining acceptable actions and off-limits systems
- Emergency stop procedures if testing risks business operations
- Confidential handling of all discovered vulnerabilities and accessed data
- No retention of client data beyond demonstration of access
- Professional liability insurance coverage for all engagements
- Device recovery and secure disposal at engagement conclusion
- Transparent communication with designated client contacts throughout
Ready to Test Your Defenses?
Contact us to discuss your red team requirements. We'll design an engagement that provides maximum value and realistic threat simulation.