How to conduct a security audit for your small business

How to do a security audit for your small business

A security audit is a focused review of your business’s physical and digital safeguards to spot weaknesses before they become crises. Skipping this step risks theft, data breaches, downtime, and damage to your reputation. 

SMEs often operate on tight margins, and even a single break-in or cyber-attack can significantly cut profits or alienate customers. In fact, shoplifting incidents in England and Wales increased by 20% in the year ending March 2025, highlighting the growing need for stronger security measures to tackle this rising threat. 

Conducting a security audit is the first step in safeguarding your profits, staff and customers, but how can you go about this – especially as a small business owner? Keep reading to find out how to do a security audit on a budget, covering both physical and cyber security concerns.

Step 1: Assess physical security

Start with your business premises, checking the basics of physical security such as entrances, exits, lighting, and access points to ensure they protect staff and stock:

• Walk through each entrance and exit to check whether all locks, alarms, access points, lighting and entry sensors work reliably and are well-lit and visible.

• Review security camera coverage (or lack thereof) to eliminate blind spots, especially around exits, stock rooms, and cash points.

• Test your alarm’s monitoring functionality to confirm it alerts promptly and accurately.

• Consider professional yet budget-friendly systems such as SimpliSafe’s business-grade security solutions, offering AI-powered cameras, motion sensors, and 24/7 professional monitoring from as little as £0.66 per day (with your first month free and no long-term contract).

By combining these simple steps on how to assess your business’s physical security, you can make your business a much less appealing target for burglars, even on a budget.

Step 2: Review cybersecurity measures

A cybersecurity audit protects your business's digital systems from intrusion and misuse. Focus on:

• Enforcing strong password policies (unique, complex and regularly updated), and securing endpoints like workstations and mobile devices.

• Confirming secure Wi-Fi usage, including hidden SSIDs, guest networks, and strong WPA2/3, plus firmware updates for routers.

• Checking that core software is current and applying updates, firewalls, and antivirus tools to safeguard systems and point-of-sale terminals.

• Verifying your data backup approach and ensuring critical information is regularly backed up, preferably offsite or encrypted in the cloud.

Knowing how to do a cybersecurity audit helps small business owners create a simple, practical framework that strengthens protection without taking too much time. This is especially important as 53% of UK SMEs reported experiencing a cyber-attack in 2023, evidencing the growing threat of non-physical security risks – especially as more and more businesses take their operations online, either partly or in full.

Step 3: Evaluate processes and policies

However, technology alone cannot protect your business. How your team works and the processes you follow are just as important in controlling risks.

• Provide staff training so everyone knows how to respond to suspicious behaviour, set strong passwords, perform quick checks (like bag checks), and correctly follow refund or return protocols.

• Define clear visitor and access policies that set out who can enter, under what circumstances, and whether they must sign in or wear ID.

• Ensure there is a procedure for escalating unusual activity, such as refund anomalies or after-hours access, creating accountability and prompt response times.

Step 4: Identify risks and prioritise fixes

Once you have a list of vulnerabilities, decide what needs attention first. A helpful way to do this is to rank issues by risk level and the fixed cost.

• Weak Wi-Fi security, unmonitored entrances, and outdated alarm systems are high-priority risks that require immediate action.

• Medium-priority risks often involve staff processes, such as weak refund procedures or limited training. These should be addressed as soon as resources allow.

• Minor issues like improving lighting or reorganising stock displays are lower-priority risks. While less urgent, they still contribute to overall safety.

When discussing a security audit on a budget, it’s essential to remember that even affordable changes, like repositioning cameras, updating router settings, or refining store policies, can significantly improve security without requiring a significant financial outlay.

Step 5: Create an action plan

A clear plan keeps you on track:

• Set realistic timelines, such as “Complete Wi‑Fi upgrade by the end of the month”, and assign responsibilities (e.g., owner, IT lead, shop manager).

• Budget for scalable tools such as SimpliSafe’s modular systems. These systems let you start small and expand later with cameras or sensors while benefiting from 24/7 monitoring and app control.

• Ensure each task is practical and revisit progress monthly.

Step 6: Schedule regular reviews

Security isn’t a one-off. Set a rhythm for quarterly financial year reviews or biannual audits to:

• Re-evaluate physical coverage, update software, check staff understanding, and review incident logs.

• Adjust for changes like new entry points, staff turnover, or updated cyber threats.

Recording every step makes your audit more meaningful and ensures continuous improvement.

Final thoughts

A security audit helps small businesses spot and fix vulnerabilities proactively, avoiding costly breaches, theft, or operational disruptions. Even on a budget, small actions like upgrading passwords, repairing locks, training staff, or adding a SimpliSafe sensor can strengthen security significantly.

Want to strengthen your business security without overspending? Browse SimpliSafe’s business security solutions, indoor and outdoor camera options, or find the right monitoring package for your business needs.