Smartphones are used for all kinds of purposes, right from business to banking to shopping to communication. Because mobile apps are used so frequently, application security is now essential for preventing the exposure of data in these applications. But in general, application security is a concept that is not understood well by many; hence, a brief definition of the term is imperative as well as an explanation of why it is a crucial concept. Let’s explore.
What is application security?
Application security is known as the procedures and safeguards adopted to protect agencies such as mobile applications from illegitimate access, data tampering, and hacking, among other risks. This means the programming code of the application, the data that it will process and manage, and guarding against possible hackers.
When we discuss application security in mobile apps, we are usually speaking about the protection of the software that is present on your smartphone or tablet. Since these apps hold information like banking, personal credentials, and even healthcare information, it becomes crucial to secure these apps.
Application security has become of extreme importance, especially given the constantly rising rates of cyber-attacks on different kinds of systems and applications.
Smartphone applications are employed in business and day-to-day activities, and these applications have the capability of storing humongous information. Even the banking facility you perform online is interlinked with social messaging apps. If there is no adherence to application security, then this data is vulnerable to people who may intend to take advantage of any loopholes.
Here are a few reasons why application security is vital:
1.Protects Personal Information: It is well known that many mobile applications deal with users’ credentials like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information. If this information is not protected, it becomes vulnerable; it can be accessed by anyone who wants to access it.
2.Prevents Financial Loss: It would be vital to any business or individual in case an application gets hacked for instance. The hackers can take money directly or use the personal information that they have found to his or her benefit.
3.Maintains User Trust: There is little doubt that users require reassurance regarding the security of the applications they interact with. If an app gets hacked, then the business behind the app will suffer the blows of a reduced user base as well as lower credibility.
4.Avoids Legal Issues: It is relevant to note that in several states, the business is legally bound to safeguard user data. Failure to do so might translate to a case filed against them or even a fine levied.
5.Protects Intellectual Property: Most companies also invest a lot in creating new and innovative mobile applications. Another consequence, which arises from a lack of security, is aimed at the theft of certain exclusive data, which a company owns and may be an instrument to its competitive advantage.
Threats that occur in mobile applications
There are many common threats to mobile applications. Knowledge of those risks is key to the first step of protection for your app. Some of the most common include:
Insecure Communication: This is when information between the installed application and its server is not encoded. This information could be intercepted by hackers, and this may also yield access to sensitive information for the attackers. In the attacks of phishing, the attacker utilizes fraudulence as a means to pretend and receive much-needed information from the user. These include bank account details.
Advantages of Appropriate Application Security
Now that we understand some of the risks associated with mobile apps, let’s look at the benefits of implementing strong application security:
1.Enhanced User Protection: The first one is to primarily ensure that the user’s data is kept away from being accessed by unauthorized persons. This helps to guarantee that no leakage of information is considered to be secure.
2.Business Continuity: By protecting the businesses from the attacks, the companies can keep doing their work without hitches occasioned by the hackers. It also helps in the prevention of cases of loss of money.
3.Improved Reputation: People will tend to use secure applications more, and thus such applications will have a better chance of survival. If security is adopted as a strategic imperative, organizations can improve the image of their operations in the market.
What You Need to Know About Application Security
1.Encrypt Data: Make it certain that all current and potential data is encrypted upon storage and before transmission. Encryption distorts the information, making it impossible for any unauthorized personnel to understand the information.
2.Use Strong Authentication: To this effect, multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be used to offer added protection. This means that the user has to identify himself or herself by two or more methods, an example being a password and touch ID.
3.Regular Security Updates: Like any other things in life, cyber threats change with time, hence the need to develop new versions of the app that include security measures for the new threats. It means that its protection wards off the threats against your application, leaving it secured up to date.
4.Monitor for Threats: There should be security tools that are capable of tracking such systems for any signs of compromise. They can also assist organizations in identifying threats that are in the course of developing into bigger threats.
5.Limit Permissions: It is only proper today to request permissions that are relevant and will be used in the app. For instance, if your application does not require built-in camera functionality, do not include permission to access it.
6.Educate Users: The awareness creation of users in implementing security can play a very big role in reducing security incidences. Remind users about the ‘rules’ regarding passwords that are strong and advise users about phishing scams.
In other words, it is possible to note that mobile applications nowadays represent a vital part of the life of modern man. It has to be understood that with billions of people having a smartphone and trillions of dollars spent every day on mobile transactions, for any developer, tester, and project manager, ensuring the mobile application security should be taken as the highest priority.
