What role do performance benchmarks play in systems verification?

Performance benchmarks are crucial in systems verification as they establish specific, measurable goals for the functionality and quality of a system. By setting these benchmarks, professionals can evaluate whether a system meets the required standards and performs as intended. This process enables the identification of discrepancies between expected and actual performance, facilitating targeted improvements and ensuring that the system is optimized for its operational purposes. These benchmarks may encompass various metrics, including response times, throughput, reliability, and scalability, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for assessing system performance.

While options such as identifying security threats or determining hardware lifespan are important considerations in systems design and deployment, they do not directly relate to the core purpose of performance benchmarks in verifying that a system operates efficiently and effectively according to predefined standards.