How purple team works
In a purple team exercise, red team members run specific attack techniques, often mapped to MITRE ATT&CK, while blue team members watch to see whether their tools log, alert and respond. After each technique, both sides discuss what was seen and missed.
Defenders then tune detection rules, add log sources or adjust response playbooks, and the technique is run again to confirm the fix. The loop is quick and transparent, producing measurable improvements in coverage. Findings are documented immediately, avoiding long delays between testing and remediation.
Why it matters for Canadian organizations
Many organizations have security tools but little proof they detect real attacker behaviour. Purple teaming provides that proof, and trains analysts to recognize techniques they might otherwise only meet during a real incident.
For Canadian organizations under regulatory scrutiny, including those working to OSFI B-13 expectations, documented exercises show active testing of detection and response. It is also cost-effective, since it improves tooling you already own. Findings translate directly into stronger detections. Analysts gain practical experience seeing how real techniques appear in their own tools.
How to implement it
Choose a threat-informed scope, such as techniques used by ransomware groups targeting your sector. Agree on rules of engagement, a safe test environment or schedule, and success criteria like alert generated, alert triaged and host contained.
Run exercises in short cycles, record results against ATT&CK, and track detection coverage over time. Schedule them regularly, and combine with periodic full red team engagements to test how well everything performs without warning. Share lessons learned across the wider IT and security teams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between red, blue and purple teams?
The red team simulates attackers, the blue team defends, and the purple team combines both in a cooperative effort. The goal is to share knowledge in real time and improve detections. It is a way of working rather than a permanent group.
Is purple teaming a separate team?
Usually it is an exercise or a mode of working rather than a permanent team. Existing red and blue staff, or an external provider and your analysts, collaborate for set periods. It is ideal for validating that a recently deployed tool actually detects what you expect.
When should an organization use purple teaming?
When you have detection tools and a security team but want to verify and improve coverage. It suits organizations after a penetration test, tool deployment, or when mapping defenses to MITRE ATT&CK. Most programmes run purple team sessions regularly alongside periodic full red team exercises.
Related service: Offensive security services