Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Ransomware • Zero Trust • NOC

Red Team

Term from Cybersecurity industry explained for recruiters

A Red Team is a group of security experts who act like real hackers to test an organization's defenses. Think of them as professional security testers who try to break into a company's systems, buildings, or networks - but with permission. They help companies find weak spots before real attackers do. This is different from regular security testing because Red Teams simulate real-world attacks and think like actual criminals. They often work alongside Blue Teams (the defenders) to improve overall security. This type of work is also sometimes called "ethical hacking" or "penetration testing," though Red Teaming is usually more comprehensive.

Examples in Resumes

Led Red Team operations to identify critical security vulnerabilities across 5 enterprise clients

Conducted Red Team assessments and provided detailed remediation recommendations

Performed Red Team exercises and Red Team penetration testing for Fortune 500 companies

Typical job title: "Red Team Engineers"

Also try searching for:

Red Team Engineer Offensive Security Engineer Ethical Hacker Red Team Operator Security Assessment Specialist Penetration Tester Red Team Lead Adversarial Security Engineer

Where to Find Red Team Engineers

Online Communities

Professional Networks

Conferences & Events

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you plan and execute a full Red Team operation?

Expected Answer: Should explain the process of planning an operation, including reconnaissance, getting proper permissions, coordinating with the client, managing a team, documenting findings, and presenting results in business-friendly terms. Should emphasize risk management and legal compliance.

Q: How do you keep up with new security threats and attack methods?

Expected Answer: Should discuss following security news, participating in professional communities, continuous learning through training, and maintaining relevant certifications. Should mention practical experience in testing new attack methods in lab environments.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between penetration testing and Red Teaming?

Expected Answer: Should explain that penetration testing focuses on finding technical vulnerabilities in specific systems, while Red Teaming is broader and simulates real attacker behavior across an organization's entire security program, including physical security and human elements.

Q: How do you document and report your findings to clients?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating clear, business-friendly reports that explain technical findings in simple terms, prioritizing risks, and providing actionable recommendations for improvement.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic tools do you use for security testing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to name common security testing tools and explain their basic uses in simple terms. Should show understanding of when and how to use these tools responsibly.

Q: How do you ensure you're conducting security tests legally and ethically?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of the importance of written permission, scope agreements, and proper documentation. Should know basic legal and ethical boundaries of security testing.