A red teamer is following the steps of the cyber kill chain process during an exercise. What is the first step the red team member should perform?

The first step in the cyber kill chain process is reconnaissance. This phase involves gathering information about the target to identify vulnerabilities or entry points for an attack. A red teamer conducts reconnaissance to understand the target's environment, which can include network architecture, employee roles, and potential security measures. This initial research is critical as it informs the subsequent steps in the kill chain, such as weaponization and exploitation. By effectively executing the reconnaissance phase, the red team member can tailor their tactics and tools to be more effective in later stages of their engagement. This foundational step is essential for laying the groundwork for a successful red team exercise or penetration testing engagement.