Threat Intelligence

Walmart's Collaborative Security Model: What SMBs Can Learn from 'Purple Teaming'

Dark Reading · 13 Aug 2026

Key Takeaway Even without dedicated security teams, SMBs can benefit from encouraging open communication between IT staff, external security consultants, and anyone testing for vulnerabilities to close gaps faster.

Large organisations like Walmart are rethinking how they test and strengthen their cybersecurity defences. Rather than keeping offensive security specialists (red teams, who simulate attacks) and defensive specialists (blue teams, who monitor and respond) separate, Walmart has adopted a 'trusted agent' approach that co-locates these teams. This collaborative method, known as purple teaming, allows both sides to share knowledge in real time, building trust and improving overall security outcomes.

Traditionally, red and blue teams operate independently, with red teams attempting to breach systems and blue teams reacting afterwards to lessons learned. Walmart's approach breaks down this separation, encouraging ongoing dialogue so that vulnerabilities are identified and addressed more efficiently, and defensive strategies are informed directly by attack simulations as they happen.

While most small and medium businesses don't have dedicated red and blue teams, the underlying principle is valuable: security is most effective when it's collaborative rather than siloed. Whether working with an IT provider, managed security service, or internal staff, breaking down barriers between those who test for weaknesses and those who fix them leads to faster, more effective improvements.

purple teaming cybersecurity strategy red team blue team

Summarised by CISO AI from Dark Reading. We link back to every original so you can read it yourself.