Cybersecurity has evolved into a colorful spectrum, metaphorically speaking. Red teams, the hackers with a mission to expose vulnerabilities, and blue teams, the defenders tasked with protecting systems, have been staples in organizations for decades. But as cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, a new player has emerged on the scene. Enter the purple team.
The purple team marries the strengths of red and blue teams into a collaborative force built for modern cyber defense. For Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and enterprises aiming to stay ahead, the rise of purple teaming is a game-changer. It enables a proactive, adaptive approach to managing risks and securing critical assets.
But what exactly is a purple team? Why does it matter, and how can it benefit your organization? Let's unpack this innovative approach to cybersecurity.
At its core, a purple team is not a standalone group. Rather, it is a function or mindset that bridges the gap between offensive (red team) and defensive (blue team) operations. Its primary goal? To foster collaboration and ensure both teams work toward a shared objective of bolstering cybersecurity.
Collaboration over competition
Traditionally, red and blue teams operated in silos. Red teams would simulate attacks, while blue teams focused on defense. The purple team eliminates this divide by promoting real-time collaboration.
Continuous improvement
Purple teams leverage findings from red team simulations to improve blue team detection and response mechanisms, creating a feedback loop that strengthens defenses over time.
Risk-aligned focus
Instead of generalized testing, purple teams align tactics with the organization’s unique business risks, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.
By bringing together the strengths of offensive and defensive cybersecurity efforts, purple teams help organizations move from reactive to proactive security postures.
To understand how purple teaming is an evolution in cybersecurity, let's explore the key differences between red, blue, and purple teams.
Team Type | Primary Role | Objective |
Red Team | Offensive security | Simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities |
Blue Team | Defensive security | Detect, respond to, and remediate attacks |
Purple Team | Collaborative security | Integrate red and blue insights for continuous improvement |
While red and blue teams often work independently, purple teams facilitate seamless communication. The result? No missed insights, faster time to resolution, and stronger defenses that align closely with real-world threats.
Purple teams serve as the communication and execution bridge between red and blue teams. Here’s what they typically do:
Facilitate collaboration
Purple teams ensure that communication flows effectively between red and blue teams, preventing overlaps or gaps in responsibility.
Translate offensive insights to defense
Convert red team findings into actionable defensive measures, such as enhancing detection systems or refining incident response playbooks.
Align testing with risks
Focus on enterprise-risk priorities by calibrating offensive simulations to address real-world risks specific to the organization’s industry.
Run Purple Team exercises
Design, execute, and evaluate collaborative attack simulations, often using frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and adversary emulation platforms.
Optimize SOC Operations
Directly contribute to SOC processes by fine-tuning detection rules, updating threat models, and improving response protocols.
Purple teaming follows a structured approach to ensure maximum impact. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what a typical workflow looks like:
Define objectives, such as testing a specific attack scenario or evaluating EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) capabilities.
Align goals with business risks, leveraging frameworks like the Cyber Kill Chain for context.
The red team initiates a simulated attack, such as phishing, lateral movement, or privilege escalation.
The blue team works in parallel to detect and mitigate the simulated attack in real time.
Purple teams act as intermediaries, facilitating immediate feedback between red and blue teams.
Teams conduct a detailed review of what worked, what didn’t, and areas for improvement.
Findings are used to update SOC playbooks, refine detection logic, and close identified gaps.
Repeat exercises with variations to address new threats and continually improve the organization’s security posture.
Investing in a purple team offers significant advantages, transforming security operations in measurable ways.
Enhanced threat detection
By aligning red and blue team efforts, purple teams ensure better visibility across the attack surface.
Faster response times
With real-time feedback loops, organizations can fine-tune defenses quickly, reducing dwell time for threats.
Validated security investments
Purple teams help validate the effectiveness of tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, EDR platforms, and firewalls, ensuring your investments deliver maximum ROI.
Alignment with real-world risks
Purple teaming focuses on readiness for actual cyberattack scenarios instead of generic templates, aligning security efforts more closely with business needs.
Stronger team collaboration
The communication and knowledge-sharing facilitated by purple teams promote innovation and teamwork across SOC functions.
Test the robustness of your defenses by simulating ransomware deployment and measuring detection capabilities across hybrid cloud environments.
Collaboratively test the organization’s ability to detect and respond to phishing emails, optimizing workflows for SOC analysts.
Use red team behavior patterns to fine-tune endpoint detection systems, ensuring they flag suspicious activity earlier.
Leverage purple team exercises to validate the accuracy of threat models and SOC detection playbooks, ensuring they remain relevant.
Establishing a purple team requires the right mix of talent, tools, and collaborative culture.
Larger organizations may benefit from a dedicated purple team with full-time staff.
Smaller enterprises can adopt a functional approach, integrating red teamers and SOC analysts into purple team exercises as needed.
Adversary simulation (Red tactics)
Detection Engineering (Blue expertise)
Threat Modeling
Effective Communication and Collaboration
Consider partnering with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) or consultants if internal expertise is limited.
Cyber threats show no signs of slowing down, and neither should your defenses. Purple teams represent the evolution of cybersecurity, turning a traditionally siloed approach into a unified, proactive model.
By bridging offense and defense, purple teams ensure continuous improvement in threat detection, faster response times, and alignment with real-world risks.
If your organization hasn’t embraced purple teaming yet, now is the time to start. The threats are evolving, and your defenses should, too.
