Incorrect database configurations, software errors, or manipulated data may compromise the integrity of the information contained in a database. If this is only detected later on or not at all, an organisation's core processes may be strongly impaired. For example, if the integrity relationships (referential integrity) between tables are not defined correctly, this may result in incorrect data in the database. If such an error is only detected during production operations or not detected at all, the inconsistent data is not the only thing that will require time-consuming cleansing and reconstruction. Considerable damage can also occur over time—for example, when the data in question relates to critical areas such as taxes, accounting, or even the control of entire production systems.