Performing Efficient Software Testing in the Face of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

London, 29/11/2018 – Thanks to the introduction of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the administrative expenditure for software testing has become higher than ever before. At the same time, it’s more important to test digital products now more than ever. Testbirds has approached this problem by providing an innovative solution: a re-designed Device Cloud that not only offers new features, but also enables GDPR-compliant testing without the additional overhead of an in-house software developer.

Utilising the cloud in testing has for some time now been a popular and proven means to overcome different challenges in software testing. This includes, for example, access to the almost unmanageable number of devices in market today through the use of powerful virtual machines and emulators that mimic access to physical test devices.

Another popular but challenging form of testing that is growing in popularity is test automation. Testbirds’ enhanced Device Cloud provides access to 2.5 million combinations of devices, operating systems and software by granting access to self-developed and maintained virtual machines. Additionally, Testbirds offers the so called Global Real Device Network (GDPR), which provides thousands of Android devices from testers around the world. This allows significant savings in cost, manpower and time by eliminating the necessity to purchase and maintain terminal accounts. Within the field of UX, the Device Cloud offers the possibility to test the user-friendliness of graphical user interfaces (GUI) on a variety of devices, browsers, operating systems and other software. Another advantage of the advanced Device Cloud is that it can be used in both manual and automated testing as a part of a strict and agile development process, thus granting access to otherwise unavailable in-house resources.

Often, real devices containing personal data are utilised when performing software testing. However, with an atmosphere of sensitivity and controversy around data protection, it’s now vital that no aspect of the GDPR policy is violated. Thanks to this, like much of the digital world, data protection and security has now become a primary consideration for companies performing software testing. GDPR does not prohibit companies from using personal data. However, regulation clearly states the owner of the data must give explicit consent to how the data is processed and stored. In addition, it must be stated that data processing is earmarked and an ordering process is presented by the provider (according to Art. 28 - EU-GDPR).

In order to meet these requirements, Testbirds decided at an early stage to offer variations to its service portfolio. This includes, for example, the Device Cloud as an on premises solution. This variation of the Device Cloud, allows for the highest possible data protection criteria to be met by letting these solutions be installed at the company or on company owned machines and mobile devices. This ensures the consent of the owners of the devices and ensures the earmarked use of data and devices. Furthermore, in Testbirds’ Device Cloud SSL, encryption is a standard and internal test systems can be connected via IPSec and other security procedures.

A GDPR compliant testing option is also available with Testbirds’ GRDN. Here, testers release their real devices for testing projects and authorise their use by companies. Testbirds ensures the highest level of data security inall crowd and cloud testing scenarios through completely and independently developed test environments and server hosting exclusively taking place in Germany.

Additionally, the handling of test data must be GDPR compliant because there is a real risk that even with the use of anonymised test data, GDPR affected information, such as IP addresses, may emerge. In order to avoid this from occurring, Testbirds not only offers a technical solution but also advises customers on how to safely handle GDPR sensitive data in software testing.

“Through our previous cooperation with companies in the fintech and finance sectors, we are aware of the most stringent aspects of data protection law. That’s why we always customise the setup of the individual tests together with our clients. The Device Cloud is the ideal step to extend existing test automation initiatives with the largest possible testbed.” – Georg Hansbauer, CEO and co-founder at Testbirds.

In addition to the innovations already mentioned, Testbirds’ enhanced Device Cloud also offers the following benefits:

• Highest data protection standards thanks to server hosting in Germany
• GDPR compliant testing
• Video recording of the testing process
• Plug & play as well as flexible real device integration
• Test automation on real devices
• Full integration of Selenium
• Fully automated provisioning of test environments
• Cost and time savings thanks to the possibility to relinquish the purchase of in-house devices

With the enhanced Device Cloud, Testbirds provides a test environment that addresses both the increased demands of customers and aligns with the ever evolving testing industry. Additionally, the testing specialists offer a professional response to new legislative requirements in the area of GDPR thanks to the combination of automated testing and real device access from the GRDN, which enables the integration of limitless and meticulous GDPR compliant testing.

For further information, images and any questions, please contact:
Testbirds Ltd
Sahil Deva
PR Manager
Tel.: +44 796 3568 610
E-Mail: s.deva@testbirds.com