In this post, we will focus on the importance of adopting strong security measures in mobile applications and the challenges that corporate cybersecurity departments face in guaranteeing the security of mobile devices.
Mobile application security is one of the most important components of the security strategy of any company. If we were to ask any CISO or director of cybersecurity at any company what the main difference is in the current cybersecurity infrastructure compared to a few years ago, they would surely answer: the environment is missing. And you won't be wrong.
In the past, software development consulting firms only had to protect the technological framework that was in the organization. Today, however, connections to an organization's applications and data are established from different points and through different devices.
The increase in hybrid work, as well as the access of suppliers and clients to the company's data or applications, means that the attack fronts have multiplied. The vast majority of these accesses are carried out through different terminals, mainly smartphones, so data protection on mobile phones, access control in applications, and the management of different types of digital identities are essential to improve the protection of company data and infrastructure.
Some relevant actions
Smartphones can be a gateway for cybercriminals to access a company’s systems, both on-premises and deployed in a cloud environment so managing mobile vulnerabilities is a key task to guarantee security and prevent possible attacks if it can put an end to a company’s security doubts
Along with cybersecurity awareness, establish security policies on mobile devices, implement multi-factor authentication in apps, perform security audits for mobile applications or incorporate a security framework for applications, as well as protection technologies for software development solutions, mobile apps such as Cloud & Cybersecurity, are just some of the actions that must be incorporated into the cybersecurity strategy. Let's see some of the most important ones:
Use data encryption
Smartphones store a significant amount of relevant data for any organization. Using data encryption in applications will reduce security risks in mobile apps, as it allows the protection of sensitive information, such as passwords, financial data, or customer data.
By using apps with data encryption you add an extra layer of protection that makes it impossible to access unauthorized data, even if your phone is lost, in addition, this encryption includes multi-factor authentication, so the risk of unauthorized access will be significantly reduced.
Perform security tests
When we talk about mobile application security, conducting security tests regularly is an important aspect that is not always taken into account. These tests will allow threat mitigation in mobile applications and discover possible vulnerabilities before they are exploited by cybercriminals.
Among the most common techniques are ethical hacking and mobile penetration tests that simulate attacks against mobile infrastructure to discover weaknesses.
Develop with a focus on security
Having security in custom enterprise software development is another important element when implementing a cybersecurity strategy for mobile environments. Also called “Security by Design”, it implies having security at all times: from the moment the app begins to be developed until its implementation. It is a concept in which security is a priority instead of waiting for the app to be developed and having to discover and patch vulnerabilities when it is already operational.
In short, it is increasingly important to implement a mobile application security policy because the possibility of an attack being successful is exponentially reduced. With this strategy, companies will be more protected, the cybersecurity strategy will be aligned with regulatory compliance in mobile apps, and the company's image will be improved for users, clients, and partners.
