Mobile app security: How to keep your app secure

The mobile device app, or application technology, has shown itself to be convenient, fast and flexible for accessing information. Personal data, as well as commercial services, are easily accessed on the go. However, this means that your data could be vulnerable, so mobile app security is essential.

Mobile apps have many uses nowadays, from gaming to social media, to eCommerce and trading apps which can let anyone start trading. That is to say it has made everything much more accessible. According to a 2020 report, there were 250 million apps downloaded between 2019-2020. With such a rise in downloads, the need of having up-to-date mobile app security is increasing by the day.

Many large organisations have been encouraged by the success of mobile apps, and have started to develop their own. It’s now a regular practise for a company to use a mobile app for their business. These organisations see many users and thus will have a large amount of data, making a data breach that much worse.

As with any form of technology, there are always security risks which occur, and mobile apps need ongoing maintenance to protect against these threats, for instance, there is a specific kind of malware that targets mobile apps. This leads to ever-increasing security vulnerabilities which effect both the consumers and the business. Ensuring security for mobile apps will also help to ensure your success.

To have a successful (and secure) mobile app launch that keeps you and your customers safe, continue reading.

Data capture policy

Modern mobile devices can hold consumer data in innumerable ways. For your business, this data can be endlessly helpful for following consumer trends, but it also increases the risks. If a hacker could gain access to this information via malware, it would put all the data on the app at risk. This would make both you and your customers in danger. To help prevent this, you should execute a strategy to mobile device management that includes security control.

Implement stringent access controls

A report from Checkpoint details that 97% of organisations experienced some form of attack on their mobile platform. Banking apps try and combat this with extensive access controls. Additional passcodes, fingerprint scans and facial recognition are most successful in securing your data and information, Fingerprint scans are becoming more commonplace, with phones implementing them into the device itself. More apps that hold sensitive data would benefit from these measures.

Layer security controls

Hackers will go to extreme lengths to try and get sensitive data, and to counter this, a multi-layered security approach should be considered. Given the extensive lengths that hackers are going to gain access to sensitive data via mobile apps, it is imperative companies use a considered, multi-layered approach to app security. Tech company Genetec explains that encryption is the process that ensures data is encoded, meaning unauthorised persons cannot access it. They explain further “In essence, when your data is encrypted, even if an unauthorised person or entity gains access to it, they will not be able to read it.”

Antivirus software

Antivirus that has been designed for business is essential for mobile app security. Investing in a high-performance antivirus will dramatically help in preventing malware attacks and protect your mobile app. It will also help prevent attacks on the device’s OS, a major problem for mobile users.

Managing in-house security policies

While it may seem that the whole management and maintenance process for mobile app security resides with the SME’s IT department, that is not true. The importance of your mobile app security is vital for your entire company and workforce. Implementing an interdepartmental strategy can help defend against a potential data breach. Create a security policy and provide vocational training to make sure your colleagues know their responsibilities. To prove the significance of mobile app security, provide sufficient training, and ensure all staff members are aware of their personal responsibilities.