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Every year, there is an increase in the usage of mobile applications/platforms. According to statistics, Google play store (100%) and Apple App stores (56%)’s top 100 paid apps have been hacked till date because of the exponential increase in malicious malware infections yearly. This creates revenue losses, unauthorized access to critical data, intellectual property theft, brand damage, fraud cases and so on. Thus, the need for appropriate security measures to deal with those risks.
Security has always been a great concern in every areas of life. This concern is also extended to Application and mobile platforms and without proper security measures, businesses, brands and organizations will be at risk. Application and mobile platforms security refers to the process of development, addition, and testing of security features to protect and prevent attacks, vulnerabilities, risks, threats from unauthorized modification and access. It is the procedure that involves making apps on various platforms like Androids, iOS and windows phones both on tablets and mobile phones secured by finding and fixing, as well as the enhancement of the total security. These are the measures put in place to prevent and protect data or code embedded in apps from thefts or hijacking. This includes procedures, hardware and software that identify or minimize the security threats.
Why Application and Mobile Platform Security
Application and mobile platforms are available over diverse networks that are connected to the cloud which in turn give rise to vulnerabilities to breaches and threats. The increasing vulnerability and threats to application and mobile platforms with good security measures put in place help to prevent security breaches and hacking activities reduce risks from third-parties’ access to sensitive information and prevent the loss of sensitive data.
Application and Mobile Platforms Security Measures/Tools
Strong Authentication: this helps to prevent unauthorized access and password guessing attacks. For total security, there should be implementation of multi-factor authentication by utilizing what users know (password, PIN), what they have (mobile device), what they are (Fingerprint etc). The multi-factor authentication can include the combination of password with client certificates, one-time password, device ID, in order to reduce the vulnerabilities/risks or the implementation of time-of-day and location-based restrictions to prevent and protect from fraudulent activities.
Optimization of data catching: there are many stored cached data in mobile devices in order to enhance optimal performance. The cached data causes security issues that makes apps and devices vulnerable and makes it easy for attackers to intrude, breach, decrypt and steal the data that belongs to the user. To reduce the vulnerabilities and mitigate security concerns of cached data, there should be the requisition of password to access sensitive information or set up automatic process that wipes data on a device that is restarted.
Encryption of mobile communications: snooping and middle-in-the-attacks over cellular networks and WiFi should be prevented by encrypting the mobile apps and apps servers. Strong encryption using 4096-bit SSL keys and session-based key can be used to protect the communication from determined hackers from decrypting the data. The sensitive data can be stored on users’ phones which should be encrypted and prevented from being downloaded to the device.
Malware Scan: to eliminate malware and adware, apps can be tested for malicious and suspicious behaviour. The use of virtual sandboxing or signature-based scanning tools can help to detect malware.
Penetration Testing: this is a security checklist to access known vulnerabilities on apps/mobile platforms and find potential weaknesses that are readily available to be utilized by an attacker it involves checks on weak password policy, permissions to third party apps/platforms, unencrypted data, no password expiry protocol, no multifactor security measures and so on. When performed regularly, it helps t keep the apps/ platforms secured
Isolation of Application information: this is a security measure that separate all information accessed on mobile devices from users’ data through the use of deployed apps. The corporate data is separated from the personal data to increase satisfaction and productivity in compliant with security rules which cannot be compromised at the transmission level to eliminate risks or prevent data loss.
Apps and Operating System Vulnerabilities patching: there are android and iOS vulnerabilities that in recent times have exposed users to malicious attacks. Hence, mobile devices and apps have to be checked to ensure that the latest updates and patches are effectively applied.
Security Measures for Protection against Theft: there are a large number of devices stolen or lost yearly. To prevent sensitive data getting into the wrong hands, sensitive data should be remotely wiped or never stored on mobile apps. Employee-owned devices should be locked, corporate data should be wiped and personal apps and files can be left intact.
Protection of app data: this is a security mechanism that ensures that all sensitive data must be stored on devices using encryption or adequately protected. If data must be stored, it should be on files, data stress, and databases to ensure security of app data.
Understand the Limitation of platforms: this measure is taken to develop security measures that cater for multiple mobile operating systems with the proper understanding of the limitation of the platforms, users scenarios, password and encryption support in order to control and distribute apps on platforms.
Prevention of Data Leaks: in this security system, there must be separation of corporate apps from personal apps to avoid leaks when users install personal apps on mobile platforms. This will stop users from copying, saving and distributing sensitive data that helps to prevent malware.
Back-end Security: proper security measures for the back-end servers of apps and mobile platforms to safeguard and prevent against malicious attacks. This means that all APIs are thoroughly verified as the transport mechanism and APIs authentication are different in diverse platforms.
Consultation of Security experts: security companies are also security measures because they are third-party service provider to identify loopholes and reduces the chances of platform/ applications getting compromised from an external perspective.
The Final Word
Applications and mobile platforms have become more popular as users can engage in all daily technological activities even n the move to their destinations. It is important that you implement the right tools for your application and mobile platforms above all, the best practice is t ensure that the applications and platforms does not disclose the personal information of users.
