According to a new study in the UK, banks are using customer information for testing purposes. Due to a lack of data security this information is put at risk. When outsourcing is used to work faster and more cost efficiently, organizations should make sure their clients' information is protected properly.

437 senior IT professionals throughout the finance industry were tested by the analytic supplier Informatica. It was found out that 85 percent of the data used in software testing and development is made up of customer information.

Even though banks have to handle this incredibly large amount of confidential customer information, about 43 percent of respondents claimed that the company involved does nothing to make sure the data stays safe. Thus software testing becomes a danger to clients.

When those banks use outsourcing the risk of data being lost or stolen increases. Every time a third party is involved it is more likely during software testing that information is defalcated. Clearly, with this system banks jeopardize their clients’ data.

The president of Informatica claims that it is unavoidable that financial organizations such as banks work with companies that possess the right motivation and skills to deal with such delicate topics. During software testing data has to be secured to a greater extent. 

An American health insurance company recently stated that they have lost the data and records of 1.9 million customers. Included in this information were health information, addresses and names. Even though the company claims that they are going to contact the clients and investigate the loss, the information is irrevocably gone. 

Although outsourcing can simplify the process of software testing it can also put the safety of the clients’ data at risk. Therefore both collaborating companies must be absolutely sure that they can rely on each other.