Developing a Mobile App? Ask Yourselves These Security Questions:

Developing Secure Mobile Apps

Recent reports have surfaced about the significant rise in cyber attacks targeting mobile devices. The year 2014 alone saw a 500% growth in mobile software-based attacks. Many companies, consumers, and mobile developers are now left wondering, “How can I be sure my mobile apps and devices are secure?”

What should give encouragement to aspiring (and established) mobile developers is that all hope has not been lost. Surprisingly, the most effective way to securing your mobile devices is a change in mindset.

But what does that mean? Will a good attitude attract positive energy and deflect the evil forces of malicious mobile invaders? Not likely. But thinking about security first, and having a good understanding of what is potentially at risk, can save headaches down the road. Our Head of Mobile Development at Symphony, suggests asking yourself these questions:

What Are All the Ways I Can Be Attacked?
Before you begin to build the next great mobile application, take a step back and ask yourself, “what would I want to ‘steal’ from this app if I was a hacker?” You may not be able to think of every single angle or point of attack, but you will at least have a strong list of items that should be the focus of your security efforts.

What is the Best Way to Prevent an Attack on My Mobile App?
A common misconception around mobile security is that by simply installing or implementing a single solution, your mobile app will be protected from most security attacks. This assumption can lead to trouble. Just as you use multiple features on your mobile device, there are multiple ways to attack those features and their functional elements. However with proper due diligence and research, you can be prepared for many different types of attacks with a good measure of preventative security coverage.

How Do I Educate My Users?
When it comes to security within your mobile application, educating your users is something that should never be left out. Not every user of your app will be the most tech savvy and not everyone will understand the security jargon your company or industry uses. However, by informing your users about how your app is employing the basic principles of security and safety, you’ll be protecting your business from an even bigger fallout should a user create a vulnerability.

Of course, the whole topic of security is a separate discipline in itself, with its experts having decades of experience. But if you ask yourself the questions above and have the right mindset (think about security first), your mobile app will be a safer one.