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OffSec News

Apr 9, 2024

OffSec Versus: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Training Through Live-Fire Collaboration

Did you know that 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error? Traditional training methods often fail to address this critical factor, leaving organizations exposed. OffSec Versus, part of the Enterprise Cyber Range, is designed to change that. It’s a live-fire training environment where your Red and Blue teams learn by doing, battling head-to-head,

5 min read

Did you know that 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error? Traditional training methods often fail to address this critical factor, leaving organizations exposed. OffSec Versus, part of the Enterprise Cyber Range, is designed to change that. It’s a live-fire training environment where your Red and Blue teams learn by doing, battling head-to-head, and developing the essential collaboration skills needed to neutralize real-world attacks.

Versus Explained

OffSec Versus exists to bridge the gap between traditional cybersecurity training and the dynamic, collaborative teamwork needed to defend against modern threats.  

Versus is a realistic, adversarial training environment within the Enterprise Cyber Range, enabling Red and Blue teams to engage in realistic, scored tournaments.  In a real-world attack, effective communication and shared strategies are paramount. 

Versus fosters this vital, collaborative problem-solving in a high-pressure environment.  Leaderboards and walkthroughs visualize individual and team skill development, pinpointing strengths, weaknesses, and fueling continuous improvement.

How Cybersecurity Leaders Are Using Versus

Imagine this scenario: You’re a CISO, facing mounting pressure from the board to demonstrate the ROI of your cybersecurity training budget.  Meanwhile, your cybersecurity manager is scrambling to find engaging training that goes beyond theory and actually translates to real-world skills. Sound familiar?

OffSec Versus is designed to address these challenges head-on, for both CISOs and cybersecurity managers.

For CISOs and CIOs: 

  • Strategic Gap Filling: Versus exposes skill gaps across both Red and Blue teams, allowing you to strategically allocate resources and target training investments where they’ll have the most impact.
  • Building a Fortress, Not a Silo: Traditional training often creates isolated teams. Versus fosters a culture of collaboration and trust, with teams working together under pressure – just like they would in a real attack.

For Cybersecurity Team Managers:

  • Engagement that Sticks: Versus goes beyond theory, placing your teams in a hands-on, adversarial firefight. They’ll learn by doing, developing the essential reflexes and communication skills needed to combat real cyber threats. Tournaments within Versus pinpoint individual and team strengths and weaknesses, providing you with the data you need to identify top performers and tailor development plans. 
  • Stress Test Your Defenses Before It’s Too Late: Incident response plans are only as good as their real-world effectiveness. Versus provides a safe environment to test and refine your plans, exposing vulnerabilities before a real attack hits.

And this is just the beginning.

Real-World Results: Use Cases and Benefits of Versus

Versus isn’t just about competition – it’s about forging a more proactive, adaptable cyber defense.  Here’s how organizations leverage Versus to achieve tangible results:

 

Closing the Skill Gap: Uncover True Strengths and Weaknesses

 

Versus tournaments go beyond theoretical exercises. They expose specific areas where Red Teams might struggle with certain attack vectors, and where Blue Teams may be vulnerable. These insights aren’t a critique – they’re a roadmap. With hard data on both offensive and defensive capabilities, you can tailor training programs for maximum impact and rapid growth.

 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Fostering Collaboration for Success

 

In the heat of a Versus battle, the importance of communication and collaboration becomes crystal clear.  Teams learn to share threat intelligence rapidly, troubleshoot technical issues together, and develop coordinated strategies under pressure.  This isn’t just about winning a tournament; it’s about building the collaborative reflexes that lead to successful incident response in the real world.

 

Optimizing Strategy: Pressure-Testing Your Defenses

 

Incident response plans look flawless on paper. Versus is where they face the fire.  Run realistic simulations, identify weaknesses, and refine your processes before a real attack hits. This proactive approach translates to improved response times, less confusion, and a more confident defense team across the board.

 

A Competitive Spirit Drives Excellence

 

Versus encourages teams to push themselves, learn from each other, and celebrate their successes. A little healthy competition can be a powerful motivator, leading to continuous improvement and a stronger overall cybersecurity posture in your organization.

Not Ready for Versus?

Versus is built on the idea that skilled Red and Blue teams are the backbone of a strong defense. If internal versus combat isn’t yet the right fit for your organization, that’s perfectly fine! OffSec’s enhanced Offensive and Defensive Cyber Ranges are designed to build the expertise your teams need to thrive – both for individual improvement and for future success within Versus.

OCR: Your Red Team Training Ground

Red team members hone their skills in the Offensive Cyber Range. With a vast library of target machines, real-world tools, and scenarios that span the latest exploits, they develop the attacker’s mindset and tactical know-how needed to excel in Versus competitions.

DCR: Forging Your Blue Team’s Defense

The Defensive Cyber Range is where Blue teams train under pressure. Live-fire attacks, realistic scenarios, and threat detection challenges build the reflexes and collaborative problem-solving essential for success in Versus — and for real-world incident response.

How Do I Get Access to Versus? 

OffSec Versus is available through our Enterprise Cyber Range that can be purchased as a standalone, but is also included with all Learn Enterprise subscriptions.

OffSec’s Versus is a groundbreaking feature, and we’re taking a measured rollout approach to ensure the best possible experience. Here’s how access will work during the initial Alpha and Beta phases throughout April:

Alpha: A limited number of select enterprise customers will gain early access to Versus through early April, providing valuable feedback and testing.

Beta: Additional enterprise customers will join the Beta in the middle of April, participating in tournaments and further refining the Versus experience.

What if I want Versus now?

Even if your organization isn’t yet a part of the Versus Alpha or Beta testing, you can still register your interest via our Versus sign-up page. We’ll contact you as Versus availability expands.

New Enterprise Customers: If you sign up for the Enterprise Cyber Range or Learn Enterprise during the Alpha/Beta period, we’ll work to provision access to Versus as quickly as possible.

In the constantly changing landscape of cyberattacks, reactive training won’t cut it. OffSec Versus empowers your teams to take charge of their development and elevate your organization’s cyber readiness.  Want to learn more or see Versus in action? Contact our sales team today.

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