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    Mobile Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)

    Runtime application self-protection (RASP) enables apps to monitor for suspicious behavior at runtime. When a runtime threat is detected, the RASP features help defend against threat actors attempting to tamper with your app or perform a dynamic analysis.

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    What is dynamic analysis?

    At runtime, threat actors can employ a variety of techniques to analyze and modify the app. Today, it is easier than ever before for a malicious user to deploy various techniques like jailbreaking, rooting, hooking, and more in order to steal decryption keys, intercept communication to servers and more.

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    Why is dynamic analysis a threat?

    Threat actors tamper with mobile apps for a variety of ends, such as to unlock hidden or premium functions, repackage apps to steal confidential data or learn more about the application at runtime to support reverse engineering attempts. Gaining protection against dynamic analysis is essential. Combined with protection against static analysis, protection against runtime attacks helps to prevent these outcomes, preserve your app’s integrity and your brand’s reputation.

    Why RASP security solutions are needed

    Research shows that despite developers' priorities, mobile apps still aren't secure enough.

    0%
    of developers believe iOS standard security isn't sufficient.

    0%
    of developers believe Android standard security isn't sufficient.

    0%
    of developers still rely on operating system security.

    0%
    of apps include anti-tampering security measures.
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    How RASP prevents tampering

    Runtime application self-protection implementations monitor both the app and the environment it runs within to detect threats like jailbroken or rooted devices, function hooking attempts and more. When these threats are detected, RASP implementations respond with pre-programmed actions, like terminating the user’s session, displaying a warning message or limiting functionality.

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    Resetting the clock to attackers with every build

    Guardsquare’s polymorphic approach ensures that every app’s build comes with a unique combination of check locations and exact checks, as every RASP integrity can be validated with a diverse palette of specific checks. And as an app developer you have full control over which parts of your app not to touch, or to touch more aggressively. For additional protection, code hardening is automatically applied to all inject locations.

    Security for every stage of the mobile app lifecycle.

    Too often delayed to the end of the development lifecycle, security needs to be considered right from the start. As your app development progresses, testing, feedback and monitoring helps you to ensure the highest possible level of security.

    Develop

    Mobile app security is most effective when it’s considered from the outset of the development lifecycle, which includes making informed design choices, following best practices as well as early rounds of testing and refinement. Ultimately, engaging in secure software development practices identifies security risks early, when they’re quick and cheap to fix, rather than after deployment.

    Mobile app security is most effective when it’s considered from the outset of the development lifecycle, which includes making informed design choices, following best practices as well as early rounds of testing and refinement. Ultimately, engaging in secure software development practices identifies security risks early, when they’re quick and cheap to fix, rather than after deployment.

    Protect

    Now that your app is implemented, it’s crucial that you incorporate defenses against reverse engineers in order to protect your intellectual property, prevent counterfeits and secure your data and your brand’s reputation. App shielding techniques like code hardening and runtime application self-protection (RASP) ensure that your mobile app can’t be easily reverse-engineered or tampered with.

    Now that your app is implemented, it’s crucial that you incorporate defenses against reverse engineers in order to protect your intellectual property, prevent counterfeits and secure your data and your brand’s reputation. App shielding techniques like code hardening and runtime application self-protection (RASP) ensure that your mobile app can’t be easily reverse-engineered or tampered with.

    Test

    You wouldn’t release your app without testing its functionality; nor should you without testing its security. Pentesting, or penetration testing, is often performed by third-party experts to attempt to identify security gaps in your app and gain insight into its internal logic, just as a threat actor would. A complement to pentesting is AppSweep, Guardsquare's automated mobile application security testing (MAST) tool.

    You wouldn’t release your app without testing its functionality; nor should you without testing its security. Pentesting, or penetration testing, is often performed by third-party experts to attempt to identify security gaps in your app and gain insight into its internal logic, just as a threat actor would. A complement to pentesting is AppSweep, Guardsquare's automated mobile application security testing (MAST) tool.

    Monitor

    Now it’s time to monitor your apps usage after its release, and track related threats in real-time. What are threat actors’ preferred attack vectors? How can you evolve to improve your defenses? Real-time threat monitoring can provide the answers.

    Now it’s time to monitor your apps usage after its release, and track related threats in real-time. What are threat actors’ preferred attack vectors? How can you evolve to improve your defenses? Real-time threat monitoring can provide the answers.

    Customer Stories and Resources

    Discover how Guardsquare provides industry-leading protection for mobile apps.