Key Insights
The European security testing market, valued at €25.46 million in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2025 to 2033. This surge is driven by the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting businesses across various sectors, coupled with stringent data privacy regulations like GDPR. The rising adoption of cloud computing and mobile applications further fuels demand for comprehensive security testing solutions, encompassing Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings and on-premise deployments. Key growth segments include web application security testing, driven by the increasing reliance on e-commerce and online services, and mobile application security testing, fueled by the proliferation of mobile banking and other sensitive mobile applications. The market is witnessing a shift towards automated testing tools like SAST, DAST, and IAST, to improve efficiency and reduce testing time, while also increasing the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Major players like Accenture, IBM, and McAfee are leveraging their expertise and expanding their service offerings to capitalize on this growing market. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of DevSecOps practices is also contributing to the market expansion, emphasizing the integration of security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and emerging specialized vendors. While large corporations offer comprehensive security testing suites, smaller companies often focus on niche areas like penetration testing or specific application types. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France represent significant market segments due to their robust IT infrastructure and heightened cybersecurity awareness. However, growth is also expected across other European nations as digital transformation accelerates. Restraints to growth include the skills gap in cybersecurity professionals and the high cost associated with implementing advanced security testing solutions, particularly for smaller enterprises. Nevertheless, the overall market outlook remains highly positive, driven by the ongoing digitalization of industries and the escalating need to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
Europe Security Testing Industry: A Comprehensive Market Analysis (2019-2033)
This comprehensive report provides a detailed analysis of the Europe security testing industry, covering market size, growth drivers, competitive landscape, and future outlook. The study period spans from 2019 to 2033, with 2025 as the base and estimated year. The report offers actionable insights for industry stakeholders, including vendors, investors, and policymakers. The market is segmented by country (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Rest of Europe), deployment (On-Premise, Cloud, Hybrid), type (Network Security Testing, Application Security Testing), application type (Mobile, Web, Cloud, Enterprise), testing type (SAST, DAST, IAST, RASP), testing tool, and end-user industry (Government, BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT & Telecom, Retail, Others). Key players analyzed include Offensive Security, Accenture PLC, Core Security Technologies, VERACODE, ControlCase LLC, McAfee LLC, Netcraft Ltd, Maveric Systems, Paladion Networks, Cisco Systems Inc, IBM, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP. The report projects a market value exceeding XX Million by 2033.

Europe Security Testing Industry Market Concentration & Innovation
The European security testing market exhibits a moderately consolidated structure, with a few major players holding significant market share, while numerous smaller firms cater to niche segments. Accenture PLC and IBM, for example, command substantial shares due to their extensive service portfolios and global presence. However, the market demonstrates considerable dynamism through continuous innovation in testing methodologies and tools. The market share of leading companies in 2025 is estimated to be: Accenture PLC (XX%), IBM (XX%), McAfee LLC (XX%), and others (XX%). This distribution indicates a competitive landscape with substantial opportunities for growth. Recent M&A activity in the sector, while not disclosing exact deal values (xx Million total in estimated 2022-2024 period), suggests a trend of consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller specialized firms to broaden their service offerings and expand their market reach. Driving innovation are factors such as the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, stringent regulatory compliance requirements (like GDPR), and the growing adoption of cloud and mobile technologies. These factors necessitate continuous development of advanced testing tools and techniques to effectively mitigate risks. The growing adoption of DevSecOps further fuels innovation, necessitating seamless integration of security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
Europe Security Testing Industry Industry Trends & Insights
The Europe security testing market is experiencing robust growth, driven by several key factors. The increasing prevalence of cyberattacks and data breaches across various sectors is a significant catalyst, forcing organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and invest heavily in security testing services. The adoption of cloud computing and the rise of mobile applications have expanded the attack surface, necessitating comprehensive testing strategies to address vulnerabilities across diverse platforms. The market is projected to witness a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2025-2033), with application security testing and cloud-based deployments driving significant growth. Market penetration of cloud-based security testing solutions is expected to reach XX% by 2033. Technological disruptions, including AI-powered security testing tools and automation, are improving testing efficiency and reducing costs. Consumer preferences are shifting towards comprehensive security solutions that cover various application types and testing methodologies. Competitive dynamics are shaping the market, with established players focusing on innovation and service expansion, while new entrants specialize in niche areas. This combination of factors indicates continued strong growth, though competition will inevitably intensify.

Dominant Markets & Segments in Europe Security Testing Industry
Leading Region: Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, dominates the market due to high technological adoption, robust regulatory frameworks, and a large concentration of businesses across various sectors.
Country-wise Dominance: The UK holds a leading position due to its advanced digital infrastructure, strong cybersecurity awareness, and a significant concentration of financial institutions and government agencies. Germany follows closely, driven by its strong manufacturing sector and robust data privacy regulations. France shows significant growth potential, fueled by government initiatives promoting digitalization.
Segment Dominance: Application security testing (AST) constitutes the largest segment, followed by network security testing. Within AST, web application security testing is rapidly growing due to the increasing reliance on web-based applications. Cloud-based deployment is experiencing substantial growth, driven by cloud adoption across sectors. The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) and government sectors represent the largest end-user industries due to stringent regulatory requirements and the high value of their data assets.
Key drivers for these dominant markets include proactive government cybersecurity policies in the UK, strong IT infrastructure in Germany, and increasing government investment in digital technologies in France.
Europe Security Testing Industry Product Developments
Recent product innovations focus on AI-powered automation, improved accuracy in vulnerability detection, and integration with DevSecOps pipelines. New offerings emphasize comprehensive solutions that cover various application types and testing methodologies, integrating SAST, DAST, IAST, and RASP techniques. Competitive advantages are derived from superior accuracy, speed, and integration capabilities, along with specialized expertise in specific industry verticals. The market witnesses a trend towards cloud-native security testing solutions, catering to the increasing adoption of cloud technologies.
Report Scope & Segmentation Analysis
This report segments the European security testing market by:
Country: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Rest of Europe (Growth projections and market size vary significantly by country, with the UK and Germany holding larger shares).
Deployment: On-Premise, Cloud, Hybrid (Cloud deployment is the fastest-growing segment).
Type: Network Security Testing, Application Security Testing (AST holds the largest share).
Application Type: Mobile, Web, Cloud, Enterprise (Web and cloud applications are driving growth).
Testing Type: SAST, DAST, IAST, RASP (SAST and DAST are currently the most widely used).
Testing Tool: Web Application Testing Tool, Code Review Tool, Penetration Testing Tool, Software Testing Tool, Other Testing Tools (The market is diverse, with various tools catering to specific needs).
End-User Industry: Government, BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT and Telecom, Retail, Other End-User Industries (BFSI and Government sectors lead in spending). Competitive dynamics within each segment are influenced by factors like pricing, technology capabilities, and customer relationships.
Key Drivers of Europe Security Testing Industry Growth
Several factors propel the growth of the European security testing market: stringent data privacy regulations (like GDPR) necessitate rigorous security testing; the rising sophistication of cyberattacks demands advanced testing solutions; the increasing adoption of cloud computing and mobile technologies expands the attack surface, requiring broader security testing coverage; and the growing awareness of cybersecurity risks across various sectors fuels investment in security testing.
Challenges in the Europe Security Testing Industry Sector
The industry faces challenges including high costs associated with advanced testing solutions; the skill gap in cybersecurity professionals capable of conducting sophisticated security testing; and competition from established players and new entrants creating pricing pressure. The need to keep pace with evolving threats and technologies adds to the complexity and cost of security testing.
Emerging Opportunities in Europe Security Testing Industry
Emerging opportunities include the growing demand for AI-powered security testing solutions; the expanding market for cloud-based security testing; increased focus on DevSecOps and its integration into the software development lifecycle; and the need for specialized security testing solutions in emerging industry sectors like IoT (Internet of Things).
Leading Players in the Europe Security Testing Industry Market
- Offensive Security
- Accenture PLC
- Core Security Technologies
- VERACODE
- ControlCase LLC
- McAfee LLC
- Netcraft Ltd
- Maveric Systems
- Paladion Networks
- Cisco Systems Inc
- IBM
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
Key Developments in Europe Security Testing Industry Industry
January 2022: GrammaTech launched a new version of its CodeSentry software supply chain security platform, enhancing SBOM creation and third-party software risk management. This development directly impacts the market by providing organizations with improved tools for managing software supply chain security risks.
January 2022: NTT Security AppSec Solutions Inc. launched a solution enabling dynamic application security testing throughout the development cycle, improving the prevention of vulnerabilities reaching production. This contributes to the growing adoption of dynamic testing methodologies.
Strategic Outlook for Europe Security Testing Industry Market
The future of the European security testing market looks promising, driven by sustained growth in cyberattacks, increased adoption of cloud and mobile technologies, and the growing demand for comprehensive security solutions. The integration of AI and automation will continue to transform the industry, creating new opportunities for innovation and efficiency. The market is likely to witness further consolidation through M&A activities, with established players aiming to broaden their portfolios and expand their market reach. The focus on DevSecOps integration will drive the demand for comprehensive security testing solutions.
Europe Security Testing Industry Segmentation
-
1. Deployment
- 1.1. On Premise
- 1.2. Cloud
- 1.3. Hybrid
-
2. Type
-
2.1. Network Security Testing
- 2.1.1. VPN Testing
- 2.1.2. Firewall Testing
- 2.1.3. Other Service Types
-
2.2. Application Security Testing
-
2.2.1. Application Type
- 2.2.1.1. Mobile Application Security Testing
- 2.2.1.2. Web Application Security Testing
- 2.2.1.3. Cloud Application Security Testing
- 2.2.1.4. Enterprise Application Security Testing
-
2.2.2. Testing Type
- 2.2.2.1. SAST
- 2.2.2.2. DAST
- 2.2.2.3. IAST
- 2.2.2.4. RASP
-
2.2.1. Application Type
-
2.1. Network Security Testing
-
3. Testing Tool
- 3.1. Web Application Testing Tool
- 3.2. Code Review Tool
- 3.3. Penetration Testing Tool
- 3.4. Software Testing Tool
- 3.5. Other Testing Tools
-
4. End-User Industry
- 4.1. Government
- 4.2. BFSI
- 4.3. Healthcare
- 4.4. Manufacturing
- 4.5. IT and Telecom
- 4.6. Retail
- 4.7. Other End-User Industries
Europe Security Testing Industry Segmentation By Geography
-
1. Europe
- 1.1. United Kingdom
- 1.2. Germany
- 1.3. France
- 1.4. Italy
- 1.5. Spain
- 1.6. Netherlands
- 1.7. Belgium
- 1.8. Sweden
- 1.9. Norway
- 1.10. Poland
- 1.11. Denmark

Europe Security Testing Industry REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Aspects | Details |
---|---|
Study Period | 2019-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 |
Estimated Year | 2025 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Growth Rate | CAGR of 23.00% from 2019-2033 |
Segmentation |
|
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Research Scope
- 1.2. Market Segmentation
- 1.3. Research Methodology
- 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions
- 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Introduction
- 3. Market Dynamics
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Market Drivers
- 3.2.1. Increasing Need for Safety from Security Threats; Government Regulations Driving Security Needs
- 3.3. Market Restrains
- 3.3.1. Limited Computing Performance
- 3.4. Market Trends
- 3.4.1. Penetration Testing Tools segment is anticipated to register significant growth
- 4. Market Factor Analysis
- 4.1. Porters Five Forces
- 4.2. Supply/Value Chain
- 4.3. PESTEL analysis
- 4.4. Market Entropy
- 4.5. Patent/Trademark Analysis
- 5. Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 5.1.1. On Premise
- 5.1.2. Cloud
- 5.1.3. Hybrid
- 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Type
- 5.2.1. Network Security Testing
- 5.2.1.1. VPN Testing
- 5.2.1.2. Firewall Testing
- 5.2.1.3. Other Service Types
- 5.2.2. Application Security Testing
- 5.2.2.1. Application Type
- 5.2.2.1.1. Mobile Application Security Testing
- 5.2.2.1.2. Web Application Security Testing
- 5.2.2.1.3. Cloud Application Security Testing
- 5.2.2.1.4. Enterprise Application Security Testing
- 5.2.2.2. Testing Type
- 5.2.2.2.1. SAST
- 5.2.2.2.2. DAST
- 5.2.2.2.3. IAST
- 5.2.2.2.4. RASP
- 5.2.2.1. Application Type
- 5.2.1. Network Security Testing
- 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Testing Tool
- 5.3.1. Web Application Testing Tool
- 5.3.2. Code Review Tool
- 5.3.3. Penetration Testing Tool
- 5.3.4. Software Testing Tool
- 5.3.5. Other Testing Tools
- 5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by End-User Industry
- 5.4.1. Government
- 5.4.2. BFSI
- 5.4.3. Healthcare
- 5.4.4. Manufacturing
- 5.4.5. IT and Telecom
- 5.4.6. Retail
- 5.4.7. Other End-User Industries
- 5.5. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Region
- 5.5.1. Europe
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 6. Germany Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 7. France Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 8. Italy Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 9. United Kingdom Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 10. Netherlands Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 11. Sweden Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 12. Rest of Europe Europe Security Testing Industry Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 13. Competitive Analysis
- 13.1. Market Share Analysis 2024
- 13.2. Company Profiles
- 13.2.1 Offensive Security
- 13.2.1.1. Overview
- 13.2.1.2. Products
- 13.2.1.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.1.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.1.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.2 Accenture PLC
- 13.2.2.1. Overview
- 13.2.2.2. Products
- 13.2.2.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.2.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.2.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.3 Core Security Technologies
- 13.2.3.1. Overview
- 13.2.3.2. Products
- 13.2.3.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.3.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.3.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.4 VERACODE
- 13.2.4.1. Overview
- 13.2.4.2. Products
- 13.2.4.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.4.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.4.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.5 ControlCase LLC
- 13.2.5.1. Overview
- 13.2.5.2. Products
- 13.2.5.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.5.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.5.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.6 McAfee LLC
- 13.2.6.1. Overview
- 13.2.6.2. Products
- 13.2.6.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.6.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.6.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.7 Netcraft Ltd*List Not Exhaustive
- 13.2.7.1. Overview
- 13.2.7.2. Products
- 13.2.7.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.7.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.7.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.8 Maveric Systems
- 13.2.8.1. Overview
- 13.2.8.2. Products
- 13.2.8.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.8.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.8.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.9 Paladion Networks
- 13.2.9.1. Overview
- 13.2.9.2. Products
- 13.2.9.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.9.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.9.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.10 Cisco Systems Inc
- 13.2.10.1. Overview
- 13.2.10.2. Products
- 13.2.10.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.10.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.10.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.11 IBM
- 13.2.11.1. Overview
- 13.2.11.2. Products
- 13.2.11.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.11.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.11.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.12 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
- 13.2.12.1. Overview
- 13.2.12.2. Products
- 13.2.12.3. SWOT Analysis
- 13.2.12.4. Recent Developments
- 13.2.12.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 13.2.1 Offensive Security
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Breakdown (Million, %) by Product 2024 & 2032
- Figure 2: Europe Security Testing Industry Share (%) by Company 2024
List of Tables
- Table 1: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 2: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 3: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 4: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Testing Tool 2019 & 2032
- Table 5: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by End-User Industry 2019 & 2032
- Table 6: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 7: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 8: Germany Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 9: France Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 10: Italy Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 11: United Kingdom Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 12: Netherlands Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 13: Sweden Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 14: Rest of Europe Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 15: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 16: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Type 2019 & 2032
- Table 17: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Testing Tool 2019 & 2032
- Table 18: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by End-User Industry 2019 & 2032
- Table 19: Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 20: United Kingdom Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 21: Germany Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 22: France Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 23: Italy Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 24: Spain Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 25: Netherlands Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 26: Belgium Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 27: Sweden Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 28: Norway Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 29: Poland Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 30: Denmark Europe Security Testing Industry Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the Europe Security Testing Industry?
The projected CAGR is approximately 23.00%.
2. Which companies are prominent players in the Europe Security Testing Industry?
Key companies in the market include Offensive Security, Accenture PLC, Core Security Technologies, VERACODE, ControlCase LLC, McAfee LLC, Netcraft Ltd*List Not Exhaustive, Maveric Systems, Paladion Networks, Cisco Systems Inc, IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP.
3. What are the main segments of the Europe Security Testing Industry?
The market segments include Deployment, Type, Testing Tool, End-User Industry.
4. Can you provide details about the market size?
The market size is estimated to be USD 25.46 Million as of 2022.
5. What are some drivers contributing to market growth?
Increasing Need for Safety from Security Threats; Government Regulations Driving Security Needs.
6. What are the notable trends driving market growth?
Penetration Testing Tools segment is anticipated to register significant growth.
7. Are there any restraints impacting market growth?
Limited Computing Performance.
8. Can you provide examples of recent developments in the market?
January 2022 - GrammaTech, an application security testing product, and software research service provider, announced the launch of a new version of the company's CodeSentry software supply chain security platform, which enables organizations to produce a software bill of materials (SBOM) quickly. The software enables organizations to proactively detect and address risks in commercial off-the-shelf applications and third-party software and allows development teams to ensure they are delivering secure and compliant software.
9. What pricing options are available for accessing the report?
Pricing options include single-user, multi-user, and enterprise licenses priced at USD 4750, USD 5250, and USD 8750 respectively.
10. Is the market size provided in terms of value or volume?
The market size is provided in terms of value, measured in Million.
11. Are there any specific market keywords associated with the report?
Yes, the market keyword associated with the report is "Europe Security Testing Industry," which aids in identifying and referencing the specific market segment covered.
12. How do I determine which pricing option suits my needs best?
The pricing options vary based on user requirements and access needs. Individual users may opt for single-user licenses, while businesses requiring broader access may choose multi-user or enterprise licenses for cost-effective access to the report.
13. Are there any additional resources or data provided in the Europe Security Testing Industry report?
While the report offers comprehensive insights, it's advisable to review the specific contents or supplementary materials provided to ascertain if additional resources or data are available.
14. How can I stay updated on further developments or reports in the Europe Security Testing Industry?
To stay informed about further developments, trends, and reports in the Europe Security Testing Industry, consider subscribing to industry newsletters, following relevant companies and organizations, or regularly checking reputable industry news sources and publications.
Methodology
Step 1 - Identification of Relevant Samples Size from Population Database



Step 2 - Approaches for Defining Global Market Size (Value, Volume* & Price*)

Note*: In applicable scenarios
Step 3 - Data Sources
Primary Research
- Web Analytics
- Survey Reports
- Research Institute
- Latest Research Reports
- Opinion Leaders
Secondary Research
- Annual Reports
- White Paper
- Latest Press Release
- Industry Association
- Paid Database
- Investor Presentations

Step 4 - Data Triangulation
Involves using different sources of information in order to increase the validity of a study
These sources are likely to be stakeholders in a program - participants, other researchers, program staff, other community members, and so on.
Then we put all data in single framework & apply various statistical tools to find out the dynamic on the market.
During the analysis stage, feedback from the stakeholder groups would be compared to determine areas of agreement as well as areas of divergence