<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
---
name: implementing-detection-testing-frameworks
description: >-
  Build detection testing frameworks using adversary emulation tools
  including Atomic Red Team, MITRE Caldera, and custom test harnesses
  for systematic detection validation.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: detection-engineering
tags:
  - detection-testing
  - atomic-red-team
  - adversary-emulation
  - validation
  - caldera
  - test-harness
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: []
---

# Implementing Detection Testing Frameworks

## Overview

Detection testing validates that rules fire when adversary techniques
execute. Covers emulation tool integration, test development, automated
pipelines, result analysis, and continuous validation programs.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Atomic Red Team | Atomics library for emulation |
| Test environment | Isolated lab for safe emulation |
| SIEM access | Query capability for verification |

## Key Concepts

### Detection Testing Pipeline

```python
test_case = {
    "test_id": "DT-001",
    "rule": "suspicious_powershell_download.yml",
    "technique": "T1059.001",
    "emulation": {
        "tool": "atomic_red_team",
        "command": "Invoke-AtomicTest T1059.001 -TestNumbers 1",
    },
    "expected": {
        "alert_fires": True,
        "max_detection_time_seconds": 300,
    },
    "result": None,
}
```

## Workflow

1. **Inventory rules** — List rules requiring validation
2. **Map to atomics** — Match rules to Atomic Red Team tests
3. **Prepare environment** — Ensure telemetry and SIEM forwarding
4. **Execute tests** — Run emulation, wait for detection window
5. **Analyze results** — Compare expected vs actual alerts
6. **Report coverage** — Document pass/fail/untested
7. **Automate** — Build scheduled testing pipeline

## Verification

| Check | Method |
|---|---|
| Workflow completed | All steps executed and documented |
| Output validated | Results match expected format and content |
| Quality assured | Peer review or automated validation passed |

## References

- [NIST Cybersecurity Framework](https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework)
- [MITRE ATT&CK](https://attack.mitre.org/)
