Cyber attacks are growing in sophistication, and hackers are getting better at what they do. So, companies need to be proactive rather than reactive. To find your vulnerabilities before they’re exploited, you’ll hire a red team expert. This will enable you to test attacks and assess your ability to react effectively.
But it can be confusing for businesses. They don’t know how or where to find them, what skills are important, or how to evaluate them. Therefore, this article will make it simple. At the end, you will know how to get the right red team expert.
Why You Should Hire a Red Team Expert
First, let’s talk about why red teaming is important. Conventional security testing tends to be limited to vulnerabilities. But red teaming emulates real hackers who are creative and strategic.
Red team experts test your systems, users, and processes as a whole. Therefore, you can observe a realistic attack. And this method allows you to find vulnerabilities that automated tools cannot detect.
Also, red teaming benefits your organisation. It enhances your detection, response, and training. So, it delivers holistic security improvement.
Real Life Example:
In 2021, Colonial Pipeline was hit by ransomware after attackers exploited weak access controls, highlighting the need to hire a red team expert for full attack simulation
8 Steps to Hire a Red Team Expert
Here are the 8 steps to hire a red team expert in 2026:
Define Your Goals Before Hiring
You have to determine your objectives first. Otherwise, you could end up hiring the wrong person or having a bad experience.
For instance, determine if you need to test your network, apps, or employees. You may even want to test your employees’ response to phishing or a breach. This will help you engage with a red team expert who can meet your specific needs.
Moreover, goals help you assess the results. This allows you to check outcomes against your goals and see the true value of the engagement.
According to the Cost of a Data Breach 2025 report, stolen or compromised credentials are one of the top five most common initial attack vectors, accounting for 10% of data breaches and taking up to 186 days to identify.
Check Experience and Certifications
Red teaming is an experience-driven activity. So, make sure to check the person’s credentials. Ask about their previous engagements. Inquire about the sectors they have experience in and what kind of attacks they have practised. Also, ask about certifications like OSCP, CRTO, and CEH. Such qualifications demonstrate the expert’s abilities.
By hiring an experienced red team expert, you can minimise risk. And you can expect to have valuable results.
Evaluate Both Technical and Soft Skills
Red teaming is about more than technical skills. It also involves creativity, communication, and flexibility. An expert can find and exploit vulnerabilities, social engineer, and circumvent security controls. They can also communicate findings in layman’s terms. So, consider both hard skills and soft skills when interviewing candidates.
For example, have an interview or require a demonstration. This will allow you to ensure they can help you beyond technical aspects. Engaging a red team expert with well-rounded skills and experience helps your team get more value.
Real Life Example:
In 2020, Twitter suffered a major breach due to social engineering, showing why organizations hire red team experts to test human vulnerabilities
Choose the Right Hiring Model
The next step is to determine how you will hire the expert. You can hire freelancers, security companies, or even have in-house experts. Freelancers are cheaper and can be hired for smaller projects. But they may not be suitable for large projects. However, security firms offer a team with various specialisations. So, they are better suited to complex projects, but are more expensive.
But hiring internally provides long-term advantage,s but costs more in terms of training and equipment. So, when looking for a red team expert, choose the model best suited to your budget and needs.
Understand Tools and Methodologies
Each expert may have a different methodology. So be sure you understand how they operate. Inquire about their models. Many will use frameworks such as MITRE ATT and others. Also, ask whether they use tools, complemented by manual analysis.
This is essential as tools alone won’t find vulnerabilities. Human thinking plays a major role. By engaging a red team expert who has structured and creative techniques to draw on, you get better information.
Focus on Communication and Reporting
Effective communication is crucial in security audits. Good insights are worthless if you don’t understand them. An expert provides comprehensive reports with explanations. They identify key vulnerabilities and provide solutions. Also, they provide instructions for your team to resolve problems.
So when you engage a red team service, ensure the person you engage is a good communicator and supports your team after the engagement.
Ensure Legal and Ethical Compliance
Red teaming is a form of attack, so it must be done right. Firstly, establish a scope and agreements before you begin. Ensure the activities are authorised and recorded. Also, be sure the expert is adhering to ethical hacking principles and handling data securely.
By employing a red team expert who adheres to legal and ethical standards, you have a cybersecurity testing environment that’s free from undue risk.
Compare Cost with Value
Price is important, but remember it’s not everything. Going for the lowest cost may not be the best choice. Rather, consider what you get for your money. While the best service might be more expensive, it offers greater understanding and value. So, look at the services offered and the scope of work.
By engaging a red team expert with value, you’re investing wisely in security.
Build a Long-Term Strategy
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving process. Cyberthreats are constantly changing, and your security should too. Don’t just view red teaming as a one-off exercise – make it part of your strategy. By using a red team expert regularly, you keep the bad guys at bay and keep your defenses up-to-date.
As time passes, the expert gains a better understanding of your systems, which will improve the testing and outcomes.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when hiring an expert. Determine your goals, check credentials, evaluate skills, and communicate. Employ a red team professional, and you’re being proactive. You patch any vulnerabilities and improve your security strategy.
So, ask questions, do your homework, and choose wisely. Red team testing can prevent threats and breaches for your organisation. You can simply just reach out to IT Butler e Services for a security audit as we have both red and purple teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does it mean to hire a red team expert?
Hiring a red team expert means engaging a cybersecurity expert to simulate attacks to test your systems, staff, and processes for vulnerabilities.
2. How much does it cost to hire a red team expert?
It varies due to the project size, length, and skill level. More complicated simulations are more expensive, while smaller projects are less costly.
3. How often should I hire a red team expert?
It’s recommended to do this once a year. But higher-risk organizations should do them more often to maintain readiness.
