Assessment Report

The final report represents the culmination of a red team assessment, serving as the definitive document that transforms technical findings into actionable security improvements. This critical deliverable requires careful attention to detail and clear communication to provide maximum value to stakeholders. We develop the SAR using operator logs, system logs, and information collected throughout the engagement, including the Hot Wash out-brief.

For an example SAR, refer to the template in the Resource section, which uses the fictional Global Finance Corporation as a demonstration.

Purpose and Value

A well-crafted assessment report serves as a critical cornerstone of the engagement, performing several essential functions that transform technical findings into meaningful business value. These comprehensive documents serve as the definitive record of the assessment, delivering multiple layers of vital information that stakeholders rely on for security decision-making and operational improvements:

• Documents and validates the entire assessment process

• Translates technical findings into business-relevant insights

• Provides a roadmap for security improvements

• Creates a historical record for tracking security maturity

Information Sources

The comprehensive security assessment report integrates and analyzes information gathered from diverse sources across the entire engagement period, synthesizing critical data points to present a complete picture of the assessment findings. This thorough compilation draws from various channels of intelligence gathered throughout the operation:

• Detailed operator logs and observations

• System and network monitoring data

• Hot Wash debrief findings

• Technical evidence and artifacts

Core Components

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary serves as a crucial entry point to the assessment report, providing senior stakeholders and decision-makers with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the engagement. This section distills the most important elements of the assessment into a digestible format, including:

• Objectives and goals of the assessment

• Strengths, positive security measures observed

• Critical vulnerabilities discovered

• Strategic recommendations

2. Technical Assessment Details

This section provides a detailed technical analysis of the assessment method and includes thorough documentation about:

• Method and approach used

• Tools and techniques employed

• Detailed attack chains and paths

• Evidence of successful compromises with Action Map or Event Map

3. Timeline & Attack Narrative

In-depth chronological breakdown detailing the progression of the red team assessment, including detailed documentation of methodologies employed, techniques executed, and the sequential flow of operations throughout the engagement period. This timeline captures both the tactical and strategic elements of the assessment, providing stakeholders with a clear understanding of how the engagement unfolded.

• Details the methods used from initial access through end-of-assessment

• Documents, specific techniques and tools employed

• Analyzes both successful and failed approaches

4. Risk & Technical Findings

A three-tier risk rating system (high, medium, and low) helps prioritize issues based on their impact and severity, enabling organizations to address vulnerabilities. The technical findings section outlines security flaws and observations found during the assessment.

• Severity level (High, Medium, Low) with potential impact

Findings and Observations

• Description of the vulnerability and the technique exploited by the red team

• Potential impact on operations

• Affected systems and assets observed and/or exploited

• Recommendations for implementing security controls and remediation measures

5. Conclusion

Acts as the last connection between the assessment’s technical findings and real-world operational results.

6. Supporting Evidence

Provides documentation and validation of findings through evidence collection, detailed technical artifacts, and recorded proof-of-concept demonstrations that support each identified vulnerability and security observation.

• Detailed documentation of attack paths and techniques

• Specific commands and tools used during testing

• Steps for security teams to recreate scenarios for training and defense

• Strategic insights enabling leadership to prioritize remediation and allocate security resources

Best Practices for Report Writing

1. Maintain Professional Tone

Professional tone is essential in red team assessment reports, as it establishes credibility and ensures findings are taken seriously by all stakeholders. The way information is presented can impact how the organization receives and implements recommendations.

• Use clear, objective language

• Avoid technical jargon when possible

• Present findings without emotion

• Keep recommendations constructive and actionable

2. Include Supporting Documentation

Proper documentation is crucial for capturing and communicating assessment findings. Supporting evidence helps validate discoveries, demonstrate impact, and provides context for stakeholders reviewing the report. To strengthen the report’s credibility, include the following types of documentation:

• Screenshots of critical findings

• Log excerpts showing exploitation

• Network diagrams and attack paths

• Technical evidence files

3. Consider Your Audience

When crafting security assessment reports, it’s crucial to ensure that the documentation communicates findings and recommendations across various organizational levels and roles. The report content should be structured and presented in a way that makes it accessible and valuable to multiple stakeholders:

• Executive leadership requiring high-level insights

• Technical teams needing detailed remediation guidance

• Security managers planning implementation strategies

• Compliance teams verifying security controls

Quality Assurance Checklist

Before finalizing the assessment report, it is essential to perform a quality review to verify completeness and accuracy. The following checklist should validate that the report meets all the necessary standards and requirements.

• All findings are documented and evidence-backed

• Technical accuracy has been peer-reviewed

• Recommendations are clear and implementable

• Writing is professional and free of errors

• Supporting materials are referenced

Conclusion

A well-crafted red team assessment report is more than just a document—it’s a roadmap for security improvement. By following these guidelines and best practices, you can create reports that deliver real value and drive meaningful security enhancements for your clients. The effectiveness of communication of findings and recommendations in the final report determines the success of a red team assessment. Take the time to create comprehensive, clear, and actionable documentation that serves as a valuable resource for all stakeholders involved in improving the organization’s security posture.