What is the purpose of dynamic testing in the context of software security?

Dynamic testing plays a critical role in software security by evaluating the software in its running state, focusing on its behavior and performance while under various conditions. This testing approach exposes how the software reacts during execution, allowing testers to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited in real-world scenarios.

When conducting dynamic testing, security experts simulate different operational environments and user interactions to observe live data flow, system responses, and any possible security flaws that may arise only when the application is operational. This is essential for identifying issues such as memory leaks, race conditions, and improper data handling, which static testing methods may not reveal.

The other options focus on aspects that are important but do not directly address the specific objectives of dynamic testing. For instance, analyzing code structure pertains to static analysis and helps in identifying vulnerabilities within the code without executing it. Assessing user interface design focuses more on usability rather than security vulnerabilities. Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards relates to the broader context of software development but is not the primary goal of dynamic testing, which is inherently about evaluating the software in execution for security weaknesses.