If software tests are carried out with production data, this may result in security problems. In particular, confidential production data may be accessed by unauthorised employees or third parties commissioned to perform software tests. If “original” production data (rather than copies thereof) is used for testing, it could be inadvertently changed or deleted.

Software tests conducted during production operations could severely disrupt the entire operation because malfunctions of the software to be tested could impact other applications and IT systems. In addition, software testers deliberately test software at its limits in order to uncover possible errors. This in turn increases the risk that the entire operation in question will be disrupted.