Why choose Bulletproof for threat-led penetration testing
Bespoke Scenarios
Meet your organisation’s unique risk profile & engagement objectives with tailored, optimised scenarios
Expert TLPT Teams
Seasoned threat-led pen test personnel bring years of adversarial expertise and insight to every engagement
Unique Insights
Expert threat-led testing gives you unparalleled security insights to power prioritised improvements
Regulated Experience
Bulletproof's red team and threat intelligence providers are highly experienced in regulated sectors
What is threat-led penetration testing?
Threat-led red teaming is a structured, intelligence-driven assessment that simulates realistic cyberattacks based on known threat actors.
Aligned with frameworks such as TIBER-EU, DORA, and STAR, these engagements evaluate how well your organisation can detect, respond to, and recover from targeted attacks.
Each engagement is tailored to your threat landscape and security posture, mimicking real-world breach scenarios to provide a high-fidelity evaluation of your organisation's resilience.
Benefits of threat-led red teaming
Realistic threat actor simulation
Test your defences against the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by adversaries targeting your industry
Regulatory alignment
Supports compliance with frameworks such as TIBER-EU, DORA, and STAR through structured, evidence-based testing
Actionable insights
Gain a clear understanding of how threats could impact your organisation, where gaps exist, and how to close them
Enhanced defensive readiness
Improve detection, response, and mitigation capabilities across people, processes, and technology
Tailored to maturity
Scenarios are adapted to your current security posture — ensuring relevance without unnecessary complexity
Continuous improvement
Use findings to refine your cyber defence strategy over time, integrating lessons learned into policies, controls, and team training for ongoing resilience gains.
About threat-led penetration testing
Threat-led Red Team engagements provide realistic, intelligence-driven attack simulations that emulate the tactics of adversaries most relevant to your organisation. These tests are tailored using current threat intelligence to align closely with your sector, risk profile, and defensive maturity.
We deliver these services under regulated frameworks such as TIBER-EU and DORA, ensuring adherence to their structured methodology, governance, and documentation standards. For organisations without formal regulatory obligations, we use the CREST STAR methodology, which aligns closely with regulated practices while offering flexibility in delivery and scope.
This structured approach ensures each engagement is relevant, evidence-based, and delivers measurable insights into your organisation’s resilience.
Explore our other red team services below.
Why your organisation needs threat-led testing
If you're operating in a regulated environment or are a high-value target in your sector, this service provides strategic insight and assurance.
You’ll be able to:
Meet compliance obligations under DORA, TIBER-EU, and STAR
Assess real-world readiness using scenarios based on active threats
Demonstrate operational resilience to internal stakeholders and regulators
Build trust with partners and clients by validating your defensive capabilities
Drive continuous improvement through strategic recommendations and repeatable scenarios
Threat-led testing engagement phases
Certain frameworks dictate our approaches however the following are key phases delivered across our approaches:
Planning and Preparation
We work with your internal control group to define the engagement scope, critical assets or functions (crown jewels), and the objectives of the test. This phase ensures testing is targeted, safe, and aligned with your operational priorities. It also lays the groundwork for control group coordination and regulatory alignment where required.
Threat Intelligence Development
Our threat intelligence partners conduct a detailed analysis of your organisation, industry, and threat landscape to identify likely attack vectors and relevant threat actors. This ensures scenarios are based on real-world risks, not generic models.
Scenario Design
The Red Team develops attack scenarios based on the threat intelligence findings. These scenarios focus on probable paths to compromise, taking into account your organisation’s architecture, user behaviour, and defensive posture. Each scenario is designed to test the ability of your people, processes, and technology to withstand a targeted attack.
Attack Simulation Execution
The Red Team carries out the agreed scenarios using a blend of manual tradecraft, custom tooling, and commercial frameworks. Attack techniques include phishing, social engineering, endpoint compromise, lateral movement, persistence, and exfiltration — all conducted covertly and in line with framework-specific rules of engagement.
Reporting and Debriefing
Upon completion, we deliver a comprehensive report pack that includes:
Technical and strategic findings
Targeted Threat Intelligence Report
Timeline of key engagement activities
Detection and response observations
Exploited vulnerabilities and attack paths
Strategic and tactical remediation guidance
Learn more about threat-led testing (FAQs)
Threat-led testing is formalised, intelligence-driven, and aligned with regulatory frameworks like TIBER-EU and STAR. It has defined success criteria, control group oversight, and structured reporting requirements.
Yes, we can deliver both components of a threat-led engagement. To meet regulatory requirements around independence and conflict of interest, we work alongside a trusted third-party Threat Intelligence Provider.
This approach maintains compliance with frameworks such as TIBER-EU and STAR, while simplifying the process for you by offering a single point of coordination and commercial engagement. It ensures seamless collaboration between Red Team and Threat Intelligence functions without compromising the integrity of the assessment.
Absolutely. While originally developed for critical financial infrastructure, the principles and benefits apply to any mature organisation facing advanced threats.
Yes. TIBER-aligned testing satisfies the advanced testing requirements under DORA’s digital operational resilience standards.
A STAR assessment is a simulated attack conducted by CREST-certified professionals using real-world tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). It follows a structured methodology aligned with the CREST STAR Scheme, ensuring consistency, rigour, and repeatability.
As an approved STAR provider, Bulletproof has demonstrated compliance with CREST’s strict standards, including submission of detailed methodologies, evidence of relevant engagement experience, and regular assurance of team capability and governance.
Engagements typically span multiple months, depending on scope, including planning, threat intelligence, execution, and closure phases. Active testing phases usually last around 12 weeks.
Our Full Red Team Service Suite
Red Team
Put your defences to the test against a real, persistent adversary.
Black Team
Put your physical security defences to the ultimate test.
Purple Team
Take a collaborative approach to improve the detection & prevention capabilities of your organisation.
Assumed Breach
Move beyond classic authenticated penetration testing by using an objective & impact driven approach.
EDR/XDR Evaluation
Maximise the effectiveness of EDR/XDR systems with an in-depth test of its ability to detect & remove threats.
Get a threat-led test quote
or discuss any of our Red Team services
Advanced security testing from UK experts
Model a determined real-world attacker
Find hidden security weaknesses
Uncover assumptions & bias in your security
One of the leading security testing providers in the UK
Test defence in depth & incident response
What our customers say
Bulletproof took the time to understand our penetration testing objectives, which showed in the results. The pen test was delivered on our tight timeframe and the threat management platform made it easy for us to remediate the penetration test results quickly and effectively.
Bulletproof's security qualifications
With OSCP & CREST certified expert pen testers and 7+ years in the industry, Bulletproof penetration testing services have a proven track record of finding flaws and helping businesses stay ahead of the hackers.
More red teaming learning resources
Meet our red team
The breadth of skills we have in the red team allows us to be ultra-flexible and find innovative ways to circumvent the most mature cyber defences. We’re always pushing our capabilities and I’m proud of my team’s collective skills and expertise, not to mention the security outcomes we generate for our customers.DominicBulletproof Red Team SpecialistSee blogs by DominicFollow Dominic on LinkedIn
Trusted by top brands
Rated 5 stars on Google
We’ve always been very impressed with the cyber security services Bulletproof provide us. Their professional approach, knowledge and flexibility have ensured they have become a key trusted partner in our supply chain.
Discover more cyber & compliance resources from Bulletproof
Trusted cyber security & compliance services from a certified provider
