A method for verifying the integrity of a database for use by an application. A process is applied to obtain (2) initial schema metadata (3) from the database (1). As a reference a reduced representation (5) is created (4) from the initial schema metadata (3) using an algorithm such as a hash function. The reduced representation is stored (6), preferably within the application. During execution of the application, the same process is applied to obtain (7) current schema metadata (8) from the database (1). A second reduced representation (10) is created (9) from the current schema metadata (8) using the same algorithm. The reduced representation (10) created as a reference is compared (11) with the second reduced representation (5). The result (12) of the comparison determines execution of the application. A system for implementing the method is disclosed. A system for verifying for a plurality of applications the integrity of one or more databases is also disclosed.