Security teams are doing their utmost to keep their systems secure, but there are still holes being found on a regular basis. Strong security is not always more expensive than weak security; oftentimes, it depends on the approach to security. Very robust methodologies for purple teaming are actively driving the evolution of the way organizations detect, respond, and prevent cyber threats.
If not structured, Purple Team exercises are a costly and disorganized drill. But when implemented properly, measurable, enduring security enhancements are made with each cycle. As seen in hundreds of client engagements around the world, companies such as IT Butler e-Services and CrowdStrike are constantly demonstrating that this is the case.
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Core Methodologies for Purple Teaming That Actually Work
Here are the 6 methodologies for purple teaming that actually work:
1. Threat Intelligence-Led Exercises
Real, current threat intelligence always begins with effective purple teaming! Organizations need to proactively provide attacker profiles and TTPs for each exercise conducted. Moreover, this intelligence-based approach allows teams to employ against threats pertinent to their particular industry.
Before a Resecurity purple team engagement, Resecurity actively creates profiles of threat actors for clients. They link the behavior of adversaries to gaps they have identified within the client’s environment. As a result, defenders aren’t forced to defend against hypothetical scenarios, but rather against real threats. This approach guarantees that each exercise is as relevant and security-enhancing as it can be and measurable.
2. MITRE ATT&CK Framework Alignment
Red and blue teams are currently using the MITRE ATT&CK project as the common language for red and blue teams. So, after aligning methodologies for purple teaming with MITRE ATT&CK, it results in structured, repeatable, and measurable exercises every time.
IBM’s X-Force team collaborates with the team to map each purple team scenario with ATT&CK techniques and sub-techniques. They analyze their teams to determine how well they are able to detect the techniques and which ones they are able to negotiate without knowing.
In this regard, blue teams actively focus on control improvements that actually reflect the discovery of coverage gaps, rather than assuming the gaps. Furthermore, leadership is provided with reports in a clear and framework-consistent manner, which objectively show security progress.
3. Atomic Testing and Iterative Improvement
There are a lot of organizations that conduct large and complex exercises and generate tons of data as a result. But instead, atomic testing breaks purple team exercises down into small, focused, individual attack simulations. Teams actively narrow down the problem control that fails at each step as a result.
Darktrace employs this granular approach in its AI-powered purple team assessments with enterprise customers. Their teams try one technique at a time, measure their detection response, and take action to improve their technique right away before they try the next.
In addition, the Cycle of Security is compounding in the sense that security is enhanced in each exercise iteration that is completed. So, no more wasting time looking for “clues” in a huge, combined attack chain.
4. Continuous Purple Teaming Over Point-in-Time Assessments
At most, traditional penetration tests occur once or twice a year. But year-round “pink/blue” practices remain to help keep everyone on their toes.
METCO (Middle East Telecommunications Company) actively conducts regular purple team cycles in its telecommunications infrastructure every month. Their teams continually test controls against new attack methods, which are continually being developed by threat actors.
Furthermore, ongoing testing will help you keep your security investments effective, not simply deteriorate quietly between annual tests. As a result, METCO’s defenders remain alert, up-to-date, and truly prepared for actual emergencies.
5. Assume Breach Methodology
By using the assume breach methodology, defenders are forced to actively operate as if there are attackers in the network. This method, therefore, actively enhances lateral movement/response to detection skills to a very large extent.
CrowdStrike is actively using assume breach scenarios when engaging in purple team exercises with financial and government sector clients. They perform post-ex compromise activities such as harvesting credentials, lateral movements, and data exfiltrations.
Therefore, blue teams proactively develop their hunting skills, instead of only utilizing perimeter-based prevention controls. Moreover, the approach used here is similar to that of advanced attackers operating in a compromised environment today.
6. Collaborative Debrief and Remediation Loops
Organizations benefit from a purple team exercise only when they actively follow a structured debrief and remediation process. Hence, it is crucial that the organisations develop collaborative feedback loops directly into their methodology framework.
Sectona conducts post-exercise joint de-briefing sessions between red and blue teams after each privileged access exercise. They have a structured process that allows each team to record their findings, agree on root causes, and have clear remediation owners up front.
As a result, fixes take place more quickly than usual post-engagement review reports. Furthermore, IT Butler e-Services will actively monitor remediation activities, ensuring that clients close all the remediation gaps before the next cycle.
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Conclusion
Techniques for purple teaming clearly distinguish between organisations that grow and become better, and those that only react to breaches. All methodologies will also begin to add up to your defensive advantage over time: threat intelligence-led exercises, MITRE ATT&CK alignment, and continuous testing cycles. Take a step with structured, consistent, and effective methodologies for purple teaming to enhance the security posture your organization deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes methodologies for purple teaming different from standard penetration testing?
Standard penetration testing actively seeks vulnerabilities and provides a report after it’s completed. There are, however, ways of doing purple teaming where both offensive and defensive teams are actively participating in the exercise and working in real-time.
Which framework works best for structuring Purple Team methodologies?
It’s time to develop methodologies around MITRE ATT&CK actively. In addition, both IBM and CrowdStrike actively recommend that users align with ATT&CK, as it provides a map of measurable, repeatable coverage that security leaders can easily share with executive stakeholders.
How do small organizations implement these methodologies effectively?
Small organizations have a keen interest in methodologies for purple teaming and working with a managed service provider such as IT Butler e-Services or Sectona. These providers are proactively executing intelligence-based exercises on smaller budgets and lean teams.
