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Mobile App Security 101: Ensuring Your Application Safety

From facilitating transactions to enhancing user experience, mobile apps have revolutionised the way companies interact with their customers.

However, as businesses increasingly rely on mobile apps, ensuring their security becomes all the more important.

A recent study says one in four mobile applications contains at least one security risk.

This can expose your business and customer data to malicious parties, leading to potential legal issues, damaged reputation, and monetary loss.

If mobile apps have become integral to your day-to-day operations, keep reading.

This blog post will explore 10 mobile app security best practices to protect your business and its customers.

But before we get to that, let's define what mobile app security is.

What Is Mobile App Security?

Mobile app security refers to the practices and measures to protect mobile applications from potential security threats and vulnerabilities.

The goal is to safeguard sensitive user data, prevent unauthorised access, and ensure the overall security and integrity of the app.

10 Mobile App Security Best Practices

Now that you fully understand what mobile app security is, let's review some methods to implement it.

1. Choose a Reliable Mobile App Developer

First and foremost, find a reliable mobile app development provider with a proven track record to back it up.

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A reliable mobile app developer will have the necessary expertise and experience to handle various aspects of app development, including security.

They will be familiar with secure coding practices and industry standards. As such, avoiding common pitfalls and vulnerabilities has become their second nature.

To save money, you can also outsource some of your web development workloads.

2. Implement Robust Data Encryption

One of the foundational pillars of mobile app security is data encryption.

Encrypting sensitive data such as user credentials, financial information, and personal details can prevent unauthorised access and protect your customers' privacy.

Utilise industry-standard encryption algorithms and employ secure key management practices to ensure the confidentiality of your app's data.

In addition, employ secure communication protocols like HTTPS (HTTP over SSL/TLS) for transmitting data between the app and the server.

3. Conduct Security Testing and Code Review

During the development stage of your mobile app, it's crucial to conduct security testing and code review.

Here's how:

  • Follow secure coding practices to prevent common vulnerabilities.
  • Regularly update your app's dependencies and libraries to address known security risks.
  • Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and mitigate potential weaknesses.

4. Employ Multi-Factor Authentication

Strong user authentication mechanisms are essential to verify the identities of your app users.

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. This method requires users to provide additional information or verification codes.

Encourage strong passwords and integrate biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, where feasible.

5. Limit User Access

Human error is one of the leading causes of data breaches, with 84% of organisations experiencing it firsthand.

This ranges from installing malicious documents to sharing login credentials with friends or family.

That's why limiting user access is crucial to protect your mobile app.

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By controlling what each team member can access and perform, you can mitigate unauthorised activities that may compromise the security of the app and its users' data.

Remember that this is not a one-off method but rather a continual process.

You need to conduct periodic access audits to review and validate user permissions. This helps identify discrepancies, unauthorised access, or privileges that need adjustment.

6. Revoke Access When Necessary

In line with the previous point, removing access for inactive or terminated accounts is also essential.

In some cases, it involves revoking permissions temporarily granted to users for specific tasks or projects.

Once the assigned tasks are completed, remove the elevated privileges to minimise the risk of unauthorised access or potential misuse.

7. Ensure Compliance With Applicable Laws

Adhering to relevant industry regulations and standards is crucial for developing a secure mobile app.

Familiarise yourself with data protection laws, such as the UK's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and ensure your app's compliance.

Implement mechanisms to maintain data integrity, such as checksums or digital signatures, to detect tampering or unauthorised modifications.

8. Make Sure Your APIs Are Secure

Mobile apps often rely on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to interact with backend services.

Ensure your APIs follow secure coding practices and implement proper authentication and authorisation mechanisms.

Regularly monitor and update your APIs to address security vulnerabilities or outdated encryption protocols.

9. Update Your Mobile App Regularly

The cybersecurity landscape constantly evolves, with new threats and attack techniques emerging daily.

Regular updates allow you to avoid these threats by incorporating security enhancements and countermeasures.

Mobile operating systems also regularly issue updates to address security risks and enhance overall system security.

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By keeping your app compatible with the latest versions of these systems, you can ensure that the app remains shielded from known malicious threats.

10. Promote Mobile Security Awareness

Security awareness among users is one of the most overlooked aspects of keeping your mobile app safe.

Don't make the same mistake.

Let users know how to protect their personal information while using the app:

  • Create strong, unique passwords
  • Use a password manager to save their login credentials
  • Avoid sharing sensitive information through unsecured public networks
  • Be cautious of phishing attempts
  • Update their devices and apps regularly.

Ready to Protect Your Mobile App?

Mobile app security goes beyond safeguarding your customers; it also protects your business from potential risks.

Regularly conduct comprehensive security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and address them proactively.

Stay informed about the latest security threats and ensure your app's security measures evolve alongside the changing threat landscape.

If you have any questions or need further guidance on mobile app security, feel free to reach out to our experts.

Dhaval-Author
Dhaval Sarvaiya
Co-Founder

Hey there. I am Dhaval Sarvaiya, one of the Founders of Intelivita. Intelivita is a mobile app development company that helps companies achieve the goal of Digital Transformation. I help Enterprises and Startups overcome their Digital Transformation and mobile app development challenges with the might of on-demand solutions powered by cutting-edge technology.

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