Elevate Your Cyber Resilience with a TIBER TLPT

Strengthen your institution’s operational resilience by undergoing a TIBER Threat‑Led Penetration Test (TLPT)—the gold standard for testing against advanced cyber threats. As a global leader in cybersecurity, we deliver expertise-backed, regulated TLPT to help you comply, protect, and transform your security posture.

What is TIBER TLPT?

TIBER‑EU (Threat Intelligence‑Based Ethical Red Teaming) is a comprehensive framework developed by the European Central Bank (ECB) for conducting intelligence‑driven red‑team tests on live critical systems across the EU and beyond. Following the implementation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) in January 2025, TIBER‑EU is now the officially recognised method for fulfilling TLPT requirements under DORA.

A TIBER TLPT replicates sophisticated attacks by Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors, based on real threat intelligence. It tests not just individual systems, but also the resilience of people, processes, and technologies that safeguard your organisation’s Critical and Important Functions (CIFs).

Why is a TIBER TLPT Required?

Under DORA Articles 26–27, significant financial entities must undergo TLPT at least every three years. TLPT is distinguished from traditional penetration testing in several key ways:

Intelligence‑driven scenarios instead of checklist-based tests.
Blind testing with internal teams kept unaware (Blue Team remains unalerted).
Holistic coverage of technology, staff, procedures, and physical deterrents.
Real-world impact through prolonged engagements, mimicking real cyberattacks.
Cross-border, multi-jurisdictional standardisation and equivalence across EU regulators.

Even organisations not yet required to conduct TLPT should consider it a best practice for validating digital resilience.

Objectives of a TIBER TLPT

By commissioning a TIBER TLPT, you will achieve:

True threat validation: Assess how well your defences detect, contain, and recover from real-world attack scenarios.
Holistic evaluation: Systematic testing of CIFs—people, processes, technology—under stress.
Knowledge transfer: Learn through purple teaming, with insights on gaps, detection, and remediation.
Regulatory alignment: Fulfil DORA TLPT obligations in full compliance with ECB‑approved methodology.
Cross-border acceptance: Testing results recognised by multiple EU supervisory authorities, reducing duplicate effort.

Main Areas Mandated by the TIBER TLPT

TIBER TLPT calls for exhaustive testing aligned to DORA Article 26, covering:

Preparation phase:
Collaborative scope definition of CIFs and supporting ICT systems, deployment of Control, White (Test) and Blue Teams.
Threat intelligence-driven scenario design:
Creation of realistic attack scenarios by Threat Intelligence Provider (TIP), informed by the latest threat landscape.
Executed Red‑Team operations:
Multi-month exploitations on live production environments, with full chain-of-effect testing across web apps, APIs, mobile platforms, cloud, Wi‑Fi, and networks.
Regular stakeholder coordination:
Including launch meetings, Control Team oversight, and strict rules of engagement for safety and confidentiality.
Closure and remediation:
Comprehensive reporting, debriefs, remediation guidance, and validation exercises including purple teaming and replay sessions.

Benefits of Running a TIBER TLPT

Organisations that undertake TIBER TLPT gain:

Regulatory compliance with DORA TLPT mandates.
Deep insight into real-world resilience gaps.
Enhanced detection & response capabilities via purple-team collaboration.
Cross-border credibility and supervisory equivalence.
Strategic resilience roadmap for risk mitigation and control enhancement.
Cyber awareness elevation across staff, processes, and technologies.
Strengthened stakeholder trust through demonstrable resilience.

Our TIBER TLPT Methodology

We adhere to full TIBER‑EU and DORA TLPT guidance. Our process is client‑centric, rigorous, and phased.

1. Scoping & CIFs Definition

We work closely with you and designated supervisors to:

An independent Threat Intelligence Provider (TIP) identifies and documents your Critical and Important Functions (e.g., payments, trading platforms).
Map underlying assets: web/mobile applications, APIs, cloud environments, Wi‑Fi, internal and external networks.
Appoint a Control Team, Test Manager, and Agree Rules of Engagement (RoE).

TIP produces a Scope Specification Document (SSD) to formally document boundaries and flags for assessment.

2. Threat Intelligence & Scenario Planning

The independent TIP gathers and structures data on relevant APTs, TTPs, and threat indicators. From this, we design high‑fidelity, realistic attack scenarios that target specified CIFs.

3. White‑Box Red‑Team Execution

A dedicated Red Team launches multi-stage, intelligence-led simulations.
Scenarios may include exploitation of web apps, API logic flaws, network misconfigurations, cloud IAM abuse, Wi‑Fi rogue connectivity, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration.
Testing occurs in live production environments under strict monitoring, overseen by Test Manager and Control Team.
Purple Team sessions may run to detect and tune controls in real-time.
The relevant authorities are involved in ongoing, periodic meetings in order to monitor and track progress on the TIBER TLPT.

4. Detect, Respond & Close

Blue Team remains unaware initially, detecting and responding to real attack simulations.
Following exploitation, we facilitate replay and debrief sessions to align findings with detection coverage and incident response protocol.

5. Reporting & Remediation Planning

Red Team Report: Full sequence logs, evidence, flag captures, vulnerabilities exploited, and attack narratives.
Blue Team Report: Response timeline, detection log, and coverage evaluation.
Test Summary & Remediation Plan: Aligned across Red/Blue outcomes, highlighting mitigation, detection, and recovery improvements.
Reports are compliant with TIBER‑EU reporting structures.

6. Formal Closure & Assurance

TIBER Test Summary shared with supervisors and the TIBER-EU Knowledge Centre.
Attestation of compliance confirms execution adhered to TIBER TLPT requirements.
Optional post‑test support includes remediation verification and future resilience exercises.

7. Re‑Testing Cycles & Long‑Term Resilience

TIBER TLPT is scheduled at least every three years, or sooner as directed by supervisors.
In the interim, we offer tailored penetration tests and vulnerability monitoring to maintain strong risk posture.

Why Partner with Us?

Deep regulatory TLPT expertise: We align fully with ECB and DORA frameworks for TIBER‑EU testing.
Certified and global delivery: CREST‑certified testers, TIPs, and Red Teamers operating across time zones.
Holistic methodology: From scoping and TI to red teaming and reporting, all tightly integrated.
Transparent governance: Structured engagement processes preserving confidentiality, safety, and compliance.
Proven track record: Delivered cross-border TLPT for top-tier banks and market infrastructure operators.

Your Path to Demonstrated Cyber Resilience

A TIBER TLPT is not merely compliance—it’s an investment in operational strength. Our seasoned team brings global execution capabilities, meaningful attack simulation, and clear, actionable improvement strategies.

Schedule a confidential consultation today to align your critical assets and regulatory responsibilities with a robust TIBER TLPT programme. With our proven methodology and seasoned experts, you’ll gain assurance, preparedness, and competitive cyber resilience in an increasingly hostile threat landscape.