What is TLPT?
Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT) is a highly targeted form of security testing that simulates realistic attack scenarios based on actual threat intelligence. Unlike standard penetration tests, which often rely on broad vulnerability scans or assumed attacker models, TLPT starts with intelligence-driven insights into the specific threats an organization might face.
The goal is to test the resilience of technology and people against real-world adversary techniques, under controlled but rigorous conditions.
From TIBER to DORA
TLPT has its roots in the TIBER-EU (Threat Intelligence-Based Ethical Red Teaming) framework, developed by the European Central Bank. TIBER was designed for the financial sector to ensure critical infrastructure could withstand sophisticated attacks.
Building on this, the DORA regulation (Digital Operational Resilience Act), which applies more broadly across the EU financial services industry, embeds Threat-Led Penetration Testing into its operational resilience requirements. DORA doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it leverages the principles of TIBER and promotes a harmonized approach across EU member states.
What is new with TLPT?
How TLPT differs from typical red team engagements:
Threat Intelligence-Driven
Testing scenarios are not made up, they are based on real adversary behaviors relevant to your sector, region, and specific threat landscape. This makes the findings much more actionable.
Extended Timeframes
Unlike a typical pentest that might last a week or two, TLPT engagements can stretch over weeks or months. This allows for deeper simulation of attacker dwell time and stealthy operations, providing a more realistic view of long-term threats.
Multiple Teams
- Grey Team: Oversees the test, ensures safety, and manages communication between teams.
- Red Team: Simulates the attack scenarios relying on threat intelligence.
- Blue Team: The defenders, who detect and respond to the attack.
- Purple Team: Optional, but sometimes acts as a bridge between Red and Blue to improve learning.
This structure ensures not just the simulation of attacks, but also meaningful insights into how well your organization can detect, respond to, and recover from real threats.
When Does TLPT Make Sense?
This level of testing does not make sense for all types or organizations. TLPT is most suitable for:
- Large or critical organizations, especially those regulated under DORA or similar frameworks.
- Companies that already plan to conduct red team exercises and want to take it a step further.
- Organizations with mature security operations that want to challenge and improve their detection and response capabilities.
- If your organization handles critical infrastructure or sensitive data, and you’re aiming to build true cyber resilience, TLPT is worth considering.
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How We Can Support You
We offer comprehensive support for Threat-Led Penetration Testing, whether you’re exploring it for the first time or aligning with DORA/TIBER requirements.
We provide:
- Red-Teaming: Skilled professionals who simulate adversaries based on your threat profile.
- Threat Intelligence: In collaboration with our trusted partners, we craft realistic, sector-specific threat scenarios.
- Support for TLPT Frameworks: We help guide you through the entire process, from scoping to execution and reporting.
Ready to get serious about cyber resilience?
Let’s talk about how a threat-led approach can take your defenses to the next level!