X-Force Red Offensive Security Services

Penetration testing and adversary simulation services from industry-leading hackers
X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report 2026 Schedule a briefing
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Proactive defense through simulated attacks

With the cost of a data breach reaching USD 4.44 million, organizations need to understand where their vulnerabilities lie. It takes only one opportunity for a hacker to breach your environment and to outwit those attackers, you need to think like them.

IBM X-Force Red uses the same tactics, tools, techniques and mindsets as attackers to uncover and help organizations fix those vulnerabilities. We can help you stay ahead of attackers and protect your most valuable data.

X-Force Red is IBM’s team of 200+ hackers worldwide, hired to break into organizations and uncover risky vulnerabilities that attackers can use for personal gain. The team's offensive security services, which include penetration testing, vulnerability management and adversary simulation, can help identify, prioritize and remediate security flaws covering your entire digital and physical ecosystem.
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Dig into the New Threats of 2026 with X-Force
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Armed with the insights of our 2026 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report, our team can help you secure your business against cyber threats. We are offering briefings with our expert team of intelligence analysts to give you customized insights about your organization.

 Register for the webinar Get the X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2026
Benefits
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Partner with one vendor

With more than 200 hackers worldwide, X-Force Red can manage your entire offensive security program.
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Reduce critical vulnerabilities backlog

X-Force Red helped a large enterprise reduce a backlog of critical vulnerabilities by 60% in four months.
Improve security programs with actionable insights

Objective-oriented reporting provides actionable recommendations in the context of your business.
Capabilities Penetration Testing Services

Find and fix exploitable vulnerabilities impacting your most important applications, networks, hardware and people. Includes specialized testing for artificial intelligence (AI) models, frameworks, environments and applications, as well as specialized testing to satisfy compliance frameworks such as PCI, HIPAA and GDPR.

 Learn more Adversary Simulation Services

Understand your susceptibility to real-world threat actors through red teaming, purple teaming and ongoing managed testing services. Also includes specialized threat intelligence-based testing for compliance frameworks such as DORA TLPT, TIBER-EU, I-CRT and others.

 Learn more
IBM did exactly what we were expecting. They were super flexible. They listened to our demands. And they came up with the right solutions.
Thomas Streider VP Group IT Security and Operation Services Andritz
Case study
Reducing risk at Unisys

The global technology solutions company uses X-Force Red's Penetration Testing Services to help reduce the risk of a compromise and stay ahead of the attackers.

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Engagement models Three engagement models to meet your needs
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Ad hoc testing

Project-based engagements with explicit scope, using X-Force Red hackers to run your testing strategy.
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Subscription program

Attribute funds to engagements by using an a-la-carte menu, while keeping your cost in full control.
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Managed service

Predictable monthly budget that establishes a framework for continuous testing.

Insights

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The latest X-Force Red research all in one place Visit the research hub
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Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025
Attackers are targeting AI and 97% of organizations that had an AI-related data breach lacked proper access controls.
TII 2026
X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report 2026
Understand how threat actors are waging attacks, and how to proactively protect your organization.
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Cloud Threat Landscape
Get key insights and practical strategies for securing your cloud with the latest threat intelligence.

Latest blog articles

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Weaponizing DCOM for NTLM authentication coercions

Imagine achieving comparable results without the need for an "advanced" payload or accessing LSASS, simply by “living off the land” and leveraging underutilized Component Object Model (COM) objects.
Hands at work with interface around displaying a code in the screen.
IBM X-Force discovers new Sheriff back door used to target Ukraine

IBM X-Force discovered a set of previously unknown malware (Sheriff back door) used in a cyber espionage attack against an entity within Ukraine’s defense sector in the first half of 2024.
Person in a hoodie using a laptop and smartphone in a dim room, with code displayed on a nearby screen.
Fileless lateral movement with trapped COM objects

Component Object Model (COM) has been a cornerstone of Microsoft Windows development since the early 1990s and is still very prevalent in modern Windows operating systems and applications.
Hand on a laptop touchpad with green command-line text on screen showing network data
Bypassing Windows Defender Application Control with Loki C2

Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a security solution that restricts execution to trusted software. Because it is classified as a security boundary, Microsoft offers bug bounty payouts for qualifying bypasses, making it an active and competitive field of research.
Related solutions IBM X-Force Cyber Range
The elite training that your business leaders need to improve your readiness to effectively respond to a breach
IBM X-Force Incident Response
Receive a rapid response to cybersecurity incidents with our around-the-clock global hotline, and help reduce costs and adverse impacts to your business
IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Services
Global security intelligence experts with industry-leading analysis to help you identify and anticipate the latest threats
Exposure Management Services
Adopt an exposure management program that identifies, prioritizes and manages the remediation of flaws that can expose your most-critical assets
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