Test security systems regularly.

Test Your Security: Don’t Wait for a Fire

Testing your security is like checking your smoke alarms, waiting until there’s a fire is too late. Regular checks uncover weaknesses before attackers do.  For SMBs, testing doesn’t have to be costly, it just has to be consistent.  The more you test, the faster you can fix issues before they escalate into incidents.

Top Tips for Testing Security Systems:

1. Run Regular Vulnerability Scans

   • Use automated scanning tools monthly to detect known flaws.

   • Prioritize high-risk issues and patch them quickly.

2. Conduct Penetration Tests

   • Schedule annual tests with a trusted provider.

   • Focus on critical systems (email, finance, customer data).

3. Simulate Real Threats

   • Run phishing simulations to train staff awareness.

   • Test social engineering scenarios to expose weak processes.

4. Review Defences Routinely

   • Audit firewall rules to remove outdated or unnecessary entries.

   • Check access logs for unusual patterns (e.g., logins at odd hours).

5. Verify Backup Integrity

   • Test restoring files quarterly to ensure backups actually work.

   • Store at least one copy offline or off-site.

6. Document and Act

   • Record findings from every test, however small.

   • Turn results into an action plan with deadlines and owners.

7. Keep it Affordable & Practical

   • Start with free or low-cost scanning tools.

   • Build a testing calendar (monthly, quarterly, yearly) and stick to it.

Remember: Fire drills save lives because they prepare people before the emergency. Security testing works the same way, it builds readiness, exposes gaps, and prevents a small issue from becoming a disaster.