Securing Mobile Applications – 7 Steps for Effective AppSec

Mobile devices and applications have become essential tools for many people. Surveys show that the average person spends more than three hours each day on their smartphone. We don't spend all that time playing games and browsing the internet. Our apps store personal information that hackers could use to commit identity theft and other crimes.

With nearly 80% of U.S. adults using smartphones and web browsers to access their bank accounts, developers must prioritize AppSec to safeguard sensitive data from cyber threats.

Steps for achieving an effective AppSec

Achieving robust AppSec requires more than just adding a security layer at the end of development. Here are some effective strategies to embed security into your app development process.

1. Integrate AppSec into the development lifecycle

Too many development teams don't address security concerns until they've nearly finished building their apps. That approach might sound reasonable because it allows developers to review their work and add security measures where needed. In reality, it doesn't always work that way. Instead, developers forget the details of their apps and, therefore, forget to put security in place. 

‍

We recommend establishing security milestones at each development phase, continuously testing and securing new features. By embedding AppSec from the beginning, developers remain focused on security, ensuring all components are built with protection in mind.‍

2. Stay updated on emerging security threats

The app you release today might have flawless security features. That could change quickly as operating systems update to new versions, partners reconfigure their APIs, and other aspects of a user's digital ecosystem evolve.

You can improve your AppSec by staying current with the latest security threats and revisiting your mobile apps to ensure they're safe. The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency regularly publishes alerts about emerging threats. The agency also releases information about tools and tactics companies can use to protect app users when possible.

You can also learn about new application security threats by reading respected security blogs. Some of our favorites include:

• CSO Online
• Infosecurity Magazine
• Threatpost

You might also want to follow trade magazines in your industry to learn about cybersecurity threats before they affect your users.

3. Monitor App performance before anomalies

Application monitoring can help you spot suspicious activity before a cyber threat reaches more of your users. For example, a sudden spike in activity could mean some used bots to open new accounts for nefarious reasons. 

Some of our favorite and effective tools for monitoring mobile app performance include:

• Dynatrace
• Datadog
• New Relic
• AWS Amazon Cloudwatch
• Microsoft Azure Application Insights

Using these tools for real-time monitoring helps not only in identifying security threats but also in optimizing app performance for a better user experience.

4. Fortify your API security

APIs enable seamless data exchange between applications, websites, and databases but also create potential security vulnerabilities. 

For example, if your app lets people purchase airline tickets, it likely collects flight information and ticket prices from dozens of companies. 

As we’ve said, APIs create a growing number of threats against apps and platforms on one hand and their users on the other.

You can make your API more secure by:

• Throttling the number of calls your API will accept
• Authenticating the accounts of developers and users.
• Only accepting and responding to requests made through HTTPS URLs
• Monitoring activity to spot sudden increases or decreases in API requests

Also, be cautious when integrating external APIs. Partner with vendors who prioritize security to prevent external vulnerabilities from impacting your app's security.

5. Choose a reliable cloud services provider

Don't undermine your commitment to AppSec by choosing a discount cloud services provider with meager security. Your cloud provider needs robust security features that protect your application, databases, and other assets.

We recommend partnering with a cloud provider that can prove it:

• Conforms to HIPAA and GDPR standards.
• Offers visibility and monitoring features.
• Lets you prevent privilege escalation through multi-factor authorization or a similar security feature.

Choosing a reliable cloud service provider will help make your application more secure. The provider can't do everything for you, though. Take some time to learn how to configure your cloud app for safety. 

All good cloud providers have tutorials to help you configure your apps. You can learn more from documents on the websites for Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud.

6. Encrypt all user data

Everyone knows their apps should encrypt sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers. Other types of information can also help hackers commit fraud, though. 

Encrypt all of the data your users submit through your app. Also, encrypt everything you send to them. 

This might seem like "overkill" to some, but it doesn't require much extra effort. Take the extra step to improve everyone's security.

7. Use application security testing tools

Utilize application security testing tools to identify and fix vulnerabilities during development. Key testing features to look for include:

• Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) to analyze running applications.
• Static Application Security Testing (SAST) for code reviews.
• Run-Time Application Self-Protection (RASP) to detect attacks as they happen.

Top tools in the AppSec landscape include Veracode, Checkmarx SAST, and Burp Suite Professional. Depending on your industry, you may need specialized tools that comply with sector-specific security standards, especially in regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

Strengthen your AppSec today

As your app grows in popularity, keeping it secure becomes increasingly challenging. Adopting a comprehensive AppSec strategy can help you safeguard your mobile applications and user data against evolving threats.

Reach out to our team to discuss the best AppSec solutions tailored to your application’s needs. Together, we can ensure your app remains secure, efficient, and resilient in today’s ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.