Test rules without using real data

Audience: administrators. Editorial review: 2026-09-15.

Prepare fictional tests before adjusting a rule. Never paste customer documents, real personal data or passwords into a test to prove detection works.

Steps

1. Define what the rule should detect and what it should leave untouched.
2. Create two made-up examples: one positive and one negative.
3. If your dashboard includes a rule tester, use those samples and compare the result with the expectation.
4. Record only the rule reviewed and the conclusion. Have another person review changes affecting the team.

If no tester is available

Availability depends on version and permissions. Ask your administrator for the approved procedure. A positive result on one sample does not prove coverage for every format or case.

More help

See check protection, troubleshooting and frequently asked questions. If the issue persists, contact your administrator without sharing sensitive data.