In today’s threat landscape, cyberattacks are no longer a matter of if — but when. Traditional security testing methods, like vulnerability scans and penetration tests, are essential, but they often represent only a snapshot in time. Organizations need a more realistic way to evaluate their defenses, and simulating a user account compromise is the most realistic way to achieve that.
That’s where Breached Attack Simulations (BAS) come in.
What Is a Breached Attack Simulation?
A Breached Attack Simulation is a cybersecurity testing process that mimics real-world attack tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Instead of waiting for a real attacker to exploit your weaknesses, BAS platforms proactively test how your people, processes, and technologies respond to simulated breaches across the entire attack chain.
These simulations can include:
- Lateral movement scenarios to see how attackers might spread inside the network.
- Privilege escalation and data exfiltration exercises to evaluate detection and response.
- Endpoint and Attack Path Simulations to help determine how well your security tools perform.
Key Benefits of Breached Attack Simulations
Validation of Security Controls
Security tools like firewalls, EDRs, and SIEMs need constant tuning. BAS exercises can help validate whether these tools are configured correctly and effectively detect and block attacks — without waiting for a real breach to find out.
Realistic, Adversary-Based Testing
BAS exercises leverages real-world attacker behaviors sourced from frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, ensuring that the simulated attacks mirror the methods used by advanced threat actors.
Measurable Risk Reduction
Each simulation produces actionable data — showing which attack stages succeed or fail, which alerts are triggered, and where gaps exist. Security teams can help to prioritize remediation based on quantifiable results.
Faster Incident Response
Running BAS exercises helps SOC analysts practice real-world detection and response workflows. This not only improves response times but also strengthens coordination across teams.
A Proactive Approach to Cyber Resilience
With threats evolving daily, security can’t be a once-a-year exercise. Breached Attack Simulations bring realistic enhanced testing to cybersecurity programs, turning assumptions into measurable facts.
By integrating BAS into your security operations, your organization gains the insight and confidence needed to stay ahead of attackers — before they strike.
