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    What is mobile app security?

    Mobile apps are increasingly becoming the main way users interact with businesses — yet mobile security needs have been historically underserved. We can help.

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    Don’t let security be an afterthought

    Too many app projects take security needs into consideration at the end of the software development lifecycle. In order to prevent data leakage, intellectual property theft and loss of revenue, mobile app security needs to be a focus at the outset and throughout the development lifecycle.

    95% of survey respondents report room for improvement in their security program or protocols.

    Source: Mobile Apps Aren’t Secure Enough, Despite Dev Teams’ Priorities

    What is mobile app security and why is it needed?

    Research shows that despite developer’s priorities, mobile apps still aren’t secure enough.

    0%
    of developers believe iOS and Android standard security isn’t sufficient.

    0%
    of developers still rely on operating system security.

    0%
    of developers reported room for improvement in their security protocols.
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    For full coverage, mobile apps need multiple layers of protection

    To prevent reverse engineering, security professionals obfuscate code — rendering it illegible without affecting functionality. Injecting runtime application self-protection (RASP) checks ensures apps can automatically detect tampering and respond accordingly, such as shutting down or blocking access. And layering these defenses make penetration successively more challenging, providing protection to your protections.

    Deep dive into mobile app security

    Learn more about mobile app security, mobile threats, and best practices for securing mobile apps.

    Security for every stage of the software development 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 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 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.

    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.

    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

    You’ve obfuscated your code to prevent static analysis and attacks, and you’ve implemented RASP for runtime defense; now it’s time to monitor your app and adapt your security configuration to maximize protection. What are threat actors’ preferred attack vectors? How can you evolve to improve your defenses? Real-time threat monitoring can provide the answers.

    You’ve obfuscated your code to prevent static analysis and attacks, and you’ve implemented RASP for runtime defense; now it’s time to monitor your app and adapt your security configuration to maximize protection. What are threat actors’ preferred attack vectors? How can you evolve to improve your defenses? Real-time threat monitoring can provide the answers.

    Mobile App Security with Guardsquare

    Explore more resources

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