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Adversary Emulation Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Participate in AI-focused adversary operations: plan, execute and deliver Red Team, PurpleTeamand other Adversary Emulation operations. * Scope and design operations: defineobjectives, target scope ...

Support red team and adversary emulation activities that simulate realistic threat behavior, including targeted access objectives, command-and-control simulation, crafted test artifacts, and ...

Support red team and adversary emulation activities that simulate realistic threat behavior, including targeted access objectives, command-and-control simulation, crafted test artifacts, and ...

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Adversary Emulation information

What is adversary emulation?

Adversary emulation is a cybersecurity practice in which security professionals simulate real-world cyber attackers, or adversaries, to test and improve an organization’s defenses. By mimicking the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by actual threat actors, adversary emulation helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, assess detection and response capabilities, and strengthen their overall security posture. These exercises are often based on threat intelligence and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to ensure realistic scenarios.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in adversary emulation?

To thrive in Adversary Emulation, you need deep knowledge of cybersecurity, attack methodologies, and penetration testing, often supported by degrees in computer science or related certifications such as OSCP or CISSP. Familiarity with tools like Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, and SIEM platforms is commonly required. Analytical thinking, creativity, and strong communication skills are essential to mimic real-world threats and report findings clearly. These skills are crucial for accurately simulating adversary tactics, identifying security gaps, and helping organizations strengthen their cyber defenses.

What are the typical challenges faced by professionals in adversary emulation roles?

Adversary Emulation specialists often encounter the challenge of staying ahead of rapidly evolving attack techniques and threat actor behaviors. They must continuously update their knowledge and adapt their methodologies to realistically mimic current adversaries, which requires ongoing research and collaboration with threat intelligence teams. Additionally, balancing the realism of simulated attacks with organizational risk tolerance and ensuring minimal disruption during assessments can be complex. Working closely with security operations, incident response, and IT teams is essential to maximize the value of each engagement and provide actionable insights for improving defenses.

What is the difference between Adversary Emulation vs Penetration Tester?

AspectAdversary EmulationPenetration Tester
CredentialsCybersecurity certifications, threat intelligence knowledgeSecurity certifications, ethical hacking certifications
Work EnvironmentSimulates real-world adversary tactics in controlled environmentsIdentifies vulnerabilities through controlled testing
Industry UsageUsed in threat simulation, red teaming, and advanced security assessmentsUsed in vulnerability assessments and security audits

Adversary Emulation focuses on mimicking real-world attacker tactics to test defenses, while Penetration Testing identifies vulnerabilities by exploiting weaknesses. Both roles are essential for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies but differ in scope and approach.

What are popular job titles related to Adversary Emulation jobs in Washington?

For Adversary Emulation jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Adversary Emulation jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Adversary Emulation jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Adversary Emulation jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Adversary Emulation job openings:

AOUSC - Threat Emulation & Readiness Lead / Red Team Lead

cFocus Software Incorporated

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Position Title
Threat Emulation & Readiness Lead / Red Team Lead
Position Overview
The Threat Emulation & Readiness Lead will oversee adversary emulation, red team operations, cyber readiness exercises, and threat-informed defense initiatives supporting a federal enterprise cybersecurity program.
The Lead will direct realistic adversary simulation activities aligned to nation-state tradecraft and MITRE ATT&CK methodologies to assess and improve organizational detection, response, resilience, and operational readiness.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead red team operations and adversary emulation exercises.
  • Design and execute:
    • threat emulation campaigns,
    • purple team exercises,
    • tabletop exercises,
    • crisis simulations,
    • and readiness drills.
  • Emulate advanced threat actor TTPs targeting enterprise, cloud, identity, and hybrid environments.
  • Develop attack chains aligned to:
    • MITRE ATT&CK,
    • intelligence reporting,
    • and real-world threat actor behaviors.
  • Coordinate closely with SOC, CTI, Threat Hunt, and Detection Engineering teams.
  • Assess detection and response effectiveness across defensive technologies and operational workflows.
  • Develop after-action reports, findings, remediation recommendations, and improvement roadmaps.
  • Lead operational readiness assessments and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Brief executives and operational leadership on adversary risk and organizational readiness.
Required Qualifications
  • 10+ years of offensive security or advanced cybersecurity operations experience.
  • 5+ years leading red team or adversary emulation operations.
  • Experience conducting operations against:
    • enterprise Active Directory environments,
    • cloud infrastructure,
    • hybrid identity systems,
    • and modern endpoint defenses.
  • Deep understanding of:
    • adversary tradecraft,
    • post-exploitation,
    • detection evasion,
    • persistence,
    • and lateral movement techniques.
  • Experience conducting purple team engagements and readiness exercises.
  • Strong executive communication and briefing capabilities.
Preferred Certifications
  • OSCP
  • OSEP
  • CRTO
  • GXPN
  • GPEN
  • CISSP
  • MITRE ATT&CK certifications

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