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.
What is a Purple Team?
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.
Key characteristics of a Purple Team:
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.
Red Team vs Blue Team vs Purple Team
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 |
Why Purple Teams stand out
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.
Key Responsibilities of a Purple Team
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.
How Purple Teaming works
Purple teaming follows a structured approach to ensure maximum impact. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what a typical workflow looks like:
1. Planning the exercise
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.
2. Execution of attack simulation
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.
3. Real-time collaboration
Purple teams act as intermediaries, facilitating immediate feedback between red and blue teams.
4. Post-mortem analysis
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.
5. Continuous iteration
Repeat exercises with variations to address new threats and continually improve the organization’s security posture.
Benefits of Purple Teaming
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.
Use cases and examples
1. Simulating ransomware attacks
Test the robustness of your defenses by simulating ransomware deployment and measuring detection capabilities across hybrid cloud environments.
2. Improving phishing responses
Collaboratively test the organization’s ability to detect and respond to phishing emails, optimizing workflows for SOC analysts.
3. Tuning EDR tools
Use red team behavior patterns to fine-tune endpoint detection systems, ensuring they flag suspicious activity earlier.
4. Validating threat models
Leverage purple team exercises to validate the accuracy of threat models and SOC detection playbooks, ensuring they remain relevant.
Building a Purple Team capability
Establishing a purple team requires the right mix of talent, tools, and collaborative culture.
Dedicated team vs functional collaboration
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.
Skills to look for
Adversary simulation (Red tactics)
Detection Engineering (Blue expertise)
Threat Modeling
Effective Communication and Collaboration
Internal vs external resources
Consider partnering with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) or consultants if internal expertise is limited.
FAQs
A Purple Team in cybersecurity is a collaborative effort that combines the offensive strategies of a Red Team with the defensive tactics of a Blue Team. By working together, these teams identify security gaps and improve an organization's overall security posture.
Unlike Red Teams, which focus on penetration testing and simulating attacks, and Blue Teams, which focus on defending and responding to threats, Purple Teams foster collaboration between the two. They enable shared insights and joint strategies to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
Improved threat detection and prevention
Enhanced communication between offensive and defensive teams
Better alignment of security strategies with real-world threats
Accelerated vulnerability identification and patching
Purple Teams act as the "glue" between Red and Blue Teams by facilitating open communication and collaboration. They enable Red Teams to share insights on attack methods, while Blue Teams provide feedback on response strategies. Together, they fine-tune processes to strengthen an organization’s security defenses.
Any organization with valuable digital assets to protect can benefit from a Purple Team. However, they are especially valuable for businesses with robust security infrastructures, large-scale operations, or those in high-risk industries like finance, healthcare, or critical infrastructure.
To implement a Purple Team strategy:
Assess your current Red and Blue Team capabilities.
Foster a culture of collaboration and communication.
Use frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK® to guide exercises.
Invest in training and tools that support Purple Team operations.
Yes, certifications like the "MAD20™ ATT&CK® Purple Teaming Methodology" validate knowledge in purple teaming principles. These certifications focus on skills like leveraging adversarial tactics, fostering collaboration, and improving organizational defenses.
The evolution toward proactive security
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.
Protect What Matters
