Understanding Threat Emulation for Stronger Defense

Threat emulation shows how a capable attacker could move through your environment, test your detection and response capabilities, and expose weaknesses before they become incidents. DeepSeas combines human-led red teaming, adversary simulation, penetration testing, and threat intelligence to turn abstract cyber risk into clear evidence, prioritized findings, and practical improvements for enterprise and mid-market security teams.

Cybersecurity team conducting a controlled threat emulation exercise

Our Threat Emulation Services

Human-led simulations test attack paths, security controls, detection coverage, and response readiness across your environment.

Red Team Emulation

DeepSeas simulates realistic attacker tradecraft against a defined objective, evaluating whether your security operation detects, investigates, and interrupts an intrusion.

Penetration Testing

Controlled penetration testing identifies exploitable weaknesses across systems and infrastructure before malicious actors can use them to gain access or move deeper.

Network Testing

Manual network testing examines reachable systems, internal pathways, credentials, trust relationships, and segmentation to reveal attack chains automated tools may miss.

Cloud Testing

Cloud penetration testing evaluates identity, permissions, exposed services, configuration, secrets handling, logging, and pathways across cloud and on-premises environments.

Application Testing

Web, mobile, and API testing explores authentication, authorization, business logic, data exposure, input handling, and other weaknesses through manual validation.

Social Engineering

Phishing, vishing, smishing, and physical assessments measure how people, processes, and technical controls respond to credible attacker pretexts.

Ethical hackers reviewing findings from a controlled attack simulation

Our Threat Emulation Process

Define Objectives and Boundaries

DeepSeas works with stakeholders to establish the objective, scope, rules of engagement, and environments to test. This creates a controlled exercise that produces useful evidence without unnecessary operational disruption.

Model Relevant Attack Paths

Execute Controlled Emulation

Observe Detection and Response

Deliver Findings and Improve

Evidence Over Assumptions

Proven Cyber Defense

Threat emulation turns security assumptions into observable evidence your defenders and leadership can act on.

"DeepSeas is a pleasure to work with. They produce consistent and outstanding results for us and our program, while being thorough, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. We have not had a finding in a certification/re-certification audit in three years across five ISO standards!"

Ed Jones
Ed Jones
The DeepSeas Difference

Why Choose DeepSeas?

DeepSeas connects offensive testing with the people and operations responsible for defending your environment.

Human-Led Testing

Experienced ethical hackers use real attacker tradecraft and manual validation, not checkbox scans alone.

Operational Context

Findings connect attack paths to detection, response, business risk, and the controls your team already operates.

Integrated Expertise

Offensive security works alongside threat intelligence, MDR, advisory, and governance specialists for practical outcomes.

Measurable Improvement

Clear evidence and prioritized recommendations help demonstrate what worked, what failed, and what should change next.

Meet The DeepSeas Team

Experienced practitioners bring offensive, defensive, advisory, and governance expertise.

Portrait of Lewie Dunsworth, Chief Executive Officer at DeepSeas

Lewie Dunsworth

Chief Executive Officer

Lewie Dunsworth serves as Chief Executive Officer of DeepSeas, leading the company's mission to make cybersecurity a strategic advantage for nearly 1,000 organizations worldwide. Under his leadership, DeepSeas has grown into a recognized leader in Managed Detection and Response, earning recognition from Gartner and Frost & Sullivan as a top provider in the industry. Lewie drives the company's vision across its six-layer cyber defense stack, spanning strategic advisory, offensive security, threat intelligence, managed detection and response, the CyberFusion SOC, and governance, risk and compliance. He is committed to ensuring that enterprise, mid-market, government, and education clients receive proactive, measurable, and customized cybersecurity outcomes. Lewie's leadership reflects nearly three decades of industry experience and a steadfast focus on client trust and operational excellence.

Portrait of Keith Robertson, Risk Management and Compliance Executive at DeepSeas

Keith Robertson

CISM, CIPP/E, SANS GCIH, GIAC, HITRUST

Keith Robertson brings 25 years of governance, risk management, and compliance experience to DeepSeas, including prior service as a Fortune 500 Chief Security Officer and Enterprise Risk Officer. He holds an impressive array of certifications, including CISM, CIPP/E, SANS GCIH, GIAC, and HITRUST, reflecting his comprehensive expertise across security management, privacy, incident handling, and healthcare compliance. Keith's executive-level experience gives him a unique perspective on enterprise risk, allowing him to help DeepSeas clients align cybersecurity strategy with broader business objectives. His background in high-stakes corporate security leadership positions him well to guide organizations through complex governance challenges and regulatory requirements. Keith is committed to helping clients build mature, enterprise-grade risk management programs that support long-term security and compliance success across diverse industries.

Portrait of Sean Duffy, Cybersecurity and Legal Advisor at DeepSeas

Sean Duffy

CISSP, CCSK, Licensed Attorney

Sean Duffy combines 25 years of cybersecurity experience with a unique legal background, holding both CISSP and CCSK certifications as well as a license to practice law. A United States Navy veteran, Sean brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to his work advising C-suite executives and boards of directors on cybersecurity strategy and risk. His legal expertise allows him to provide clients with a nuanced understanding of regulatory and liability considerations alongside technical security guidance, a combination that is especially valuable for organizations navigating complex compliance landscapes. Sean's extensive advisory experience makes him a trusted voice for senior leadership teams seeking to understand cybersecurity risk in business terms. His military background and legal training reflect the depth and diversity of expertise that defines the DeepSeas team.

Portrait of Matt Lammers, CISO and IT Risk Executive at DeepSeas

Matt Lammers

CISSP, HITRUST

Matt Lammers is an experienced CISO and IT risk executive who brings both deep technical certification and management consulting experience to DeepSeas. Holding CISSP and HITRUST credentials, Matt has built a career helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture while managing enterprise-level risk. His consulting background equips him with strong skills in translating complex security concepts into actionable business strategies for executive stakeholders. Matt's international perspective, including his status as an Australia permanent resident, gives him valuable insight into global compliance and security considerations that benefit DeepSeas clients operating across borders. He is dedicated to helping organizations build resilient, well-governed cybersecurity programs that align with both operational needs and executive priorities, reinforcing DeepSeas' commitment to customized, outcome-driven security solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is threat modelling in simple terms?

Threat modelling is a structured way to understand what you are protecting, who might try to compromise it, how an attack could happen, and which safeguards would reduce the risk. Teams map assets, trust boundaries, likely threats, and possible attack paths. The result is a practical basis for prioritizing security controls and testing whether those controls work as intended.

What is adversary emulation in cyber security?

What are the four types of threats?

How is threat emulation different from penetration testing?

What does a red team exercise test?

Is threat emulation safe for production environments?

What does a threat emulation report include?

Who should consider threat emulation?

Ready to Test Your Defenses?

Talk with DeepSeas about a controlled exercise built around your risk.

Recognized Cyber Defense

Awards and Recognition

Gartner top 40 Managed Detection and Response provider recognition

Gartner top 40 Managed Detection and Response provider recognition

DeepSeas was recognized as a top 40 MDR provider.

2024 Frost Radar Global Managed Detection and Response Market recognition

2024 Frost Radar Global Managed Detection and Response Market Leader and top-five provider recognition

DeepSeas was recognized as a 2024 Frost Radar Leader and top-five provider.

Frost & Sullivan 2024 Best Practices Competitive Strategy Leadership Award

Frost & Sullivan 2024 Best Practices Competitive Strategy Leadership Award for Managed Detection and Response

Award recognizing competitive strategy leadership in MDR.

2024 Global MDR Best Practices Award for Strategy

2024 Global MDR Best Practices Award for Strategy

Award recognizing strategy in global managed detection and response.

Build Stronger Defenses Through Testing

Share your objectives and security concerns to explore a threat emulation engagement with DeepSeas.

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