Demystifying cyber testing: What it is, why it matters and how to prepare - Cyber and Fraud Centre

In today’s digital world, cyber testing isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. But what does it actually involve? Is it just a hacker in a hoodie? Not quite. In this blog, we’ll break down the myths, explain the practicalities, and show why cyber testing should matter to every corner of an organisation – from frontline team members, to the boardroom.

What is cyber testing?

At its core, cyber testing is about finding weaknesses before criminals do. But there are two key types of testing you may have heard of.

Vulnerability Testing

Think of this as a regular health check. Tools are used to scan systems to identify unknown weaknesses, like unpatched software or misconfigurations. It’s relatively quick, good value and should be done on a regular basis.

Penetration Testing

This is the human-led version. Certified, professionals ethical hackers simulate real-world cyber attacks to uncover vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and lapses in security controls that automated scans could miss. Penetration testing is deeper and more tactical in nature, often testing how far an attacker could get if they breached your defences.

In short, vulnerability scans check for known issues; penetration tests explore unknown risks. Both have an important place to have a positive cyber culture.

Why regular testing matters

Threats evolve constantly – new vulnerabilities emerge daily. Testing once a year isn’t frequent enough.

People change – new staff, new processes, and new technologies introduce fresh risks.

Compliance and insurance – many regulations and insurers now expect regular testing as standard.

Think of testing as a fire drill for your data defences. If you regularly test what should happen in the event of a fire, why wouldn’t you do the same to protect your organisation’s data?

Building cyber culture: From frontline to board

Testing isn’t just an IT task. The results can affect every part of your organisation:

Front line teams learn about phishing risks, social engineering and password hygiene.

Middle management gains insights into process weaknesses.

The Board understands strategic risks and investment priorities.

When everyone knows the risks, and their role in mitigating them, cyber security becomes a part of everyday culture.

Preparing for a test

Know what’s being tested. Is it your external website, internal network, cloud infrastructure, or physical security?

Communicate internally. Ensure relevant teams understand when and why testing is happening.

Fix quick wins in advance. Patch known vulnerabilities first. You don’t want to pay for testers to find easily preventable issues.

Engaging your senior team: What happens post-test

Penetration test reports can be technical, but the outcomes shouldn’t be. It will be full of recommendations for the leadership team to consider and action. Work with your testing team to:

Provide a plain-English executive summary.

Focus on business risks, not solely technical flaws.

Prioritise fixes based on impact or other metrics such as likelihood.

Schedule follow-up sessions to track progress.

The goal of the testing report is to avoid the cycle of ‘Report received. Report shelved’. Use it as a practical benchmark to elevate cyber priorities and bring your whole team together.

What is surprise testing?

Also known as red teaming, surprise testing simulates real-world attacks without informing your team in advance. This tests your people, processes, and technology under realistic conditions. Examples include:

Simulated phishing campaigns.

Social engineering attempts e.g. fake IT support calls.

Physical breaches e.g. testing if someone can enter your office under a false pretence such as a delivery driver.

Surprise testing reveals how your organisation reacts under pressure, but it should always be handled sensitively.

Common cyber testing myths

They’ll break everything!

Testing is controlled. Testing professionals work to avoid outages at all costs.

It’s just for big companies with lots of staff

Small and medium organisations are often easier targets and need testing just as much.

It’s a one-off activity

Regular testing is essential. A single test gives a snapshot, not a strategy.

It’s too technical for leadership

Professional testers provide business-focused, practical recommendations.

Summary

Cyber testing isn’t about fear, it’s about confidence.

It shows you where your organisation is strong, where you’re vulnerable, and where you should focus your next steps. By involving everyone in your organisation, you will build not just a secure network, but a cyber-aware and focused culture.

Find out more about our testing services here, or get in touch with the team to find out more at [email protected].

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