If you think that mobile apps are getting safer over time, industry data suggests that you are wrong. Kaspersky Lab Solutions reported that ransomware attacks have risen in the first quarter of 2017 by more than 13 times than the previous quarter. Additionally, Trend Micro reports that increased malware production in China means that the world will soon face more than 20 million identifiable threats to mobile apps.
How safe are your mobile apps?
Software developers often skip to implement mobile app security best practices during the mobile app development process and therefore fail to create apps that protect business and user data. A study, for example, found that one-half of all organizations fail to include security for mobile apps in their budgets.
Consequently, more than half of businesses expect that hackers will compromise their mobile apps within half a year.
8 best practices to ensure mobile app security
If you are set for your next project, ensure that you implement the following 8 mobile app security best practices:
- Write secure code
Developers can build mobile app security essentials into every project at the code level. For example; simple tactics can prevent the injection of scripts though your apps’ data entry forms and can substantially strengthen your apps. Use methods such as content controls to limit copy-and-paste actions, and using “open in” restrictions to prevent your apps from opening dangerous content. Such options can significantly harden your apps against most common security attacks. Some of the tactics listed below such as enhanced authentication, data encryption and jailbreak protection can also help your apps resist attack. - Test your code
Implement mobile app security essentials right from the beginning every project e.g. start a project with a security review. Simple tactics such as integrating your software developers and testers in the same business unit can speed bug identification and improve communication. Always test your code in the real world by verifying the download and installation processes used by your app. Penetration testing, network security testing and data security testing can be some of the testing techniques you can adopt. - Improve user authentication
Creating mobile app security standards for your organization should require the use of strong passwords via secure authentication methods for your apps. You should also consider requiring the use of two-factor authentication (2FA) that requires more than one authentication channel. Third-party tools such as Authy can simplify the implementation of 2FA. Although it adds to the cost of app development but that investment is worth it. - Secure data storage
The mobile app security essentials used in your organization should include secure data storage. You should design your apps to use secure online storage and encrypt data stored on devices to minimize the danger associated with lost and stolen devices. Adding remote device wiping capabilities to your mobile apps give your company another way to secure sensitive data. - Secure payment gateways
One of the most important steps to protect mobile apps from attacks requires you to implement risk-aware transactions. For example, you can add code that measures data access parameters such as user location and IP velocity to prioritize the security of payments and database transactions managed by your apps. You can also build your apps to encrypt data at rest using tools such as FIPS 140-2. You add additional transaction security by embedding app-level VPN support into your software. - Implement jailbreak protection
Jailbreaking a phone lets users bypass operating system safeguards to install unapproved software. As a result, jail-broken phones pose a higher threat to business and enterprise BYOD environments. Jailbreak protection scans host devices and blocks your app from running on compromised units. - Secure server communication
Use secure server connections to prevent hackers from intercepting data streams between your mobile apps and your servers. Implementing VPN connectivity at the application level, for example, can substantially improve the security of data transmissions, especially when users connect to an unsecured public wireless access point. - Regular updates
As you learn how to protect mobile apps, push regular software updates to your users to improve the security of your app and your business data. Your mobile app security best practices should include a procedure to fix bugs as they are discovered. Doing so will increase security by limiting the time hackers have available to exploit known security issues.
The looming security threat on mobile technology
Mobile device users spend more than half their time using mobile apps, suggesting that the prevalence of workplace bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies will make businesses more vulnerable than ever to mobile app security risks. Companies have lost control over many endpoints that access their networks, making the consideration of security in mobile applications an important part of every project.
Mobile app security describes the tactics and technologies used to prevent malicious users from exploiting weaknesses in devices and applications.
Developers should integrate security into their software at every level, rather than either ignoring it or including it as an afterthought at the end of a project.
Now that you know how to secure mobile apps, put your knowledge to use for your business. Schedule regular reviews of your mobile app security best practices to create and maintain a security-aware culture that will help your company enjoy the benefits of a mobile solution.
