Security is a fundamental concern for many businesses, and mobile app security often falls under the umbrella of these security efforts. The mobile app market is a vast one: the increase of mobile apps being launched has also increased the level of cyber attacks from users. When many users provide personal data for the use of these apps, it becomes imperative for mobile app users to not only have a seamless user experience but also feel assured that their data is secured and protected. Because mobile apps are accessed through a variety of operating systems, it’s not unnatural for mobile apps to become unsecured without the proper security testing and quality assurance.

In this guide, Ecliptic Ideas will explore the importance of mobile app security, what to look for when testing your mobile applications, as well as our mobile app security checklist to help businesses ensure their apps are not only fully operational but secure for personal use as well.

Mobile app security is a culmination of efforts designed to focus on the software security status of mobile apps through a multitude of platforms, such as iOS, Windows, and Android devices. Whether the application is run on a mobile phone or a tablet, mobile app security looks at all access points to test their security levels. Mobile app security involves running these apps to identify any compromises to security as they’re run on their platforms, within the developmental framework, and the number of app users that can be expected. If your company uses a mobile application for a substantial portion of its online presence, whether through connecting to employees or worldwide app users, mobile app security is a natural element of keeping the app fully operational.

Mobile app security can involve the decryption of encrypted application data, the use of static analysis to identify security weaknesses, interacting with the app to better comprehend how it receives, stores, and transmits important data, and much more. By utilizing the information gained through reverse engineering, mobile app security teams can analyze the overall effectiveness of the app’s security protocols. Keeping your app secured is the only way to support its long-term use, allowing your app’s security to become compromised can be negative for not only your business operations but also the public’s perception of the app overall.

Now that we understand the importance of keeping mobile apps secured to encourage continual use and long-term protection, it’s time to explore the steps needed to ensure the mobile app is fully safe and operational. This mobile app security checklist can provide some key action items that will guarantee the mobile app is undeniably secure.

1. Secure Codebase, Application Secrets, Sensitive Files and Databases

   The efforts of developing a powerful mobile app and following mobile app best practices are all for not if the source code is open for anyone to manipulate. Businesses need to secure all base source codes and files to prevent potential attackers from accessing and threatening this data. It’s highly suggested to store the source code in a secure repository with highly restricted access and to secure any API tokens.

2. Evaluate 3rd Party & Open Source Code

   Many businesses will help quicken an app’s runtime by having a third-party and open source code. Businesses should keep all data libraries up to date, and the best method of doing so is by automating all changes made to the source code. When testing mobile app security, it’s important to evaluate any third-party or open source codes to ensure everything is accurate and updated.

3. Expect Different Outcomes Between iOS and Android

   It’s important to consider that as a business owner, you have full control over how the app operates but little control over the platform in which your users are running the app. When testing mobile app security, make sure to anticipate a variety of app platforms, whether that’s a tablet or a Windows phone. There can often be a different outcome between android and apple operating systems, so it’s important to test both separately.

4. Penetration Testing

   Mobile app penetration testing is the process of testing different attempts to exploit the app’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities to decide if cyber attacks or unauthorized access is a possibility. Penetration testing is very important because it’s one of the most effective methods of checking on a mobile app’s defense perimeters and potential weaknesses. By identifying these security cracks early on, businesses can prevent a cyber attacker from circumnavigating security measures later on.

5. Secure Data Locally

   When completing a mobile app security check, it’s important to verify that the app stops the transfer of any data externally from the app. An app should never copy or send personal information for external use. When a user logs out of an app, any and all of their data (such as their account information, passwords, etc.) should be fully wiped to provide full protection. If any of this data seems to be leaked externally, the app should shut down immediately.

6. Optimize Caching

   Anytime you complete an app reboot, it’s important to ensure data is wiped to avoid possible security breaches. Mobile devices are known to cache data to optimize app performance but this can open the door to numerous cyber attacks. It’s fairly simple for cyber attackers to decrypt cache data to gain access to private information. Make sure to clear data whenever the device reboots or another user logs in so that cache data is wiped clean automatically.

7. Input Validation

   Businesses should never disregard the value of input validation, which is unfortunately common when attempting to increase an app’s speed. Input validations provide businesses with the opportunity to check the data supplied by app users to avoid malformed data within their system. Input validation is very common in most mobile application frameworks, in both web and mobile development.

8. Use Secure Networks

   Anytime data is transferred, it’s important to guarantee data is moved securely. By using secure networks, such as VPNs, SSL, or HTTPS for example, companies can better guarantee that their user’s data is being moved safely and effectively. In general, mobile apps shouldn’t be able to interact with other domains, and by maintaining a group of secure networks, interactives with insecure sites can be avoided.

Testing your business’ mobile app security might seem like a cumbersome task, but mobile app security is a fundamental part of ensuring your app users feel secure and protected while using the app. With this mobile app security checklist, your business can take the necessary steps of keeping your app secured and strengthened against any potential cyber-attacks. Ecliptic Ideas provides a variety of mobile app services, including mobile app security testing, that can help your business elevate its overall privacy and security functions. Contact Ecliptic Ideas today to learn more!