The data could 'prove (to be) useful' [=people may eventually find that the data is helpful] in identifying future problems.
the 'useful life' of a satellite [=the amount of time during which a satellite is in good enough condition to be used]
Her pocketknife 'came in useful' [=(more commonly) 'came in handy'] when we needed to cut the tangled fishing line.
(..) Before they destroyed the spiders, they had the venom extracted. What are you saying? That way they could comply with the lawsuits but still keep the data whenever it became useful. - Where is it? - Somewhere in the building. Somewhere off the books called "Special Projects". (..)2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2
(..) Wall Street is nervous enough of that child, Harry, taking over. We got to find a way to get him out. In the meantime if the press gets hold of this accident, our stock will fail. So make sure that this Mr. Dillon stays invisible. This could prove useful for us in the future. Hey. Move! Hey! (..)2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2