Adversary Simulation Services

What is adversary simulation?

Adversary simulation means replicating the behaviour of a specific threat actor instead of playing out a theoretical textbook scenario. We select groups that are realistic for your industry and use their tactics, techniques and tooling - derived from real threat intelligence and structured along established frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK.

The difference from a classic penetration test: the goal is not to find as many vulnerabilities as possible in one system, but to determine whether your entire defence chain detects, stops and responds cleanly to a realistic attack.

How we work

• Define the threat profile: Which attacker groups are relevant to your industry and organisation? Optionally based on dedicated threat intelligence.
• TTP selection: We derive the concrete tactics, techniques and procedures to emulate - documented transparently along MITRE ATT&CK.
• Emulation: Execution of the scenarios in your production environment - covertly against your blue team, or openly together with it.
• Evaluation: Every technique is assessed individually: alerted, logged but not alerted, or completely invisible?

What gets tested

• EDR/XDR effectiveness: configuration and efficacy of your endpoint protection - on request with custom-built malware.
• SOC detection & response: how quickly is the attack detected, how cleanly do analysis and response processes engage?
• Logging gaps: which attack steps leave no usable traces in your telemetry at all?
• Escalation paths: does the chain work from the first alert to a management decision?

Adversary simulation vs. red teaming

Adversary simulation is the methodological core: emulating real attacker TTPs. Red teaming is the covert, objective-driven operation that applies this methodology to reach a concrete goal - for example access to a business-critical application. In practice the two overlap heavily: most of our red teaming assessments are adversary simulations against a defined threat profile.

For regulated financial institutions we run adversary simulations as threat-led penetration testing under TIBER-AT and DORA TLPT - with real threat intelligence against the live production environment.

Who adversary simulation is for

An adversary simulation delivers the most value once you have invested in defence: EDR/XDR deployed, central logging, ideally a SOC or blue team. It then answers the question no audit can: does all of it withstand a real attack? If those foundations are still missing, a pentest or an assumed breach assessment is usually the better entry point.

What you get

• Detailed report: all emulated techniques with detection status and risk rating, traceable for engineers and management.
• Detection matrix: which TTPs were alerted, logged or missed - a prioritised foundation for your detection engineering.
• Prioritised recommendations: concrete measures, sorted by impact and effort.
• Management debrief: in-person presentation of the key findings for executives and the CISO.
• Replay workshop: on request, a joint replay of the attacks with your blue team.

Frequently asked questions

What is adversary simulation?

The emulation of a specific threat actor: we replicate the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of real groups relevant to your industry - derived from current threat intelligence. This makes it measurable whether your defences hold against exactly the attackers who actually target you.

What is the difference between adversary simulation and red teaming?

Adversary simulation is the methodological core; red teaming is the covert, objective-driven operation that applies it. In practice the two overlap heavily - many red teaming assessments are adversary simulations against a defined threat profile.

How is it different from purple teaming?

In a covert adversary simulation the blue team is not informed - it tests real detection and response capability. In purple teaming, attackers and defenders work together openly and improve detections jointly. We run both.

How long does an adversary simulation take?

A focused engagement typically runs four to eight weeks, depending on scope and the number of scenarios. A full TIBER/DORA TLPT cycle spans six to nine months.

Do we need our own SOC for this?

No, but it increases the value. With a SOC we test detection and response under real conditions. Without one, we assess the technical effectiveness of EDR/XDR and logging - as the foundation for building detection capabilities deliberately.