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    What is mobile application security testing (MAST)?

    Learn how you can reduce cost, improve security, and achieve faster time to market by regularly scanning your mobile app.

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    The need for mobile application security testing

    Mobile applications account for 90% of mobile use and in 2022 mobile app spend surpassed $500B.

    With increased use, in addition to mobile apps processing and storing financial, medical and personal information, customers expect a high level of security and great UX to be delivered by the app.

    To meet these expectations, developers cannot afford to wait and address security at the end of the software development lifecycle. Security needs to be a priority throughout the development process.

    Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) covers the processes and tools used to identify potential security issues in mobile applications. Some tools also provide input to remediate identified issues to reduce risk. Mobile Application Security Testing can be performed manually or through the use of automated tools which use a variety of techniques.

    Find security issues quickly in your Android and iOS app code and dependencies.

    How to test mobile application security

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    Mobile application security testing techniques

    Mobile application security testing can use different techniques, typically classified as static analysis, dynamic analysis, or interactive analysis. The techniques are not mutually exclusive and there can be overlap between them.

    • Static analysis

      is a testing approach that analyzes the source code, the binary and other resources of the app for specific security issues. This is done by means of different analysis techniques that can analyze the app in an automated way, without executing the apps’ code.

    • Dynamic analysis

      is a testing approach that analyzes the application from the exterior while it is executed in an environment, for example a real phone or an emulator. This can be especially useful for identifying vulnerabilities that are only visible when the app is running, for example if the app communicates with a server.

    • Interactive analysis

      is a form of Dynamic Analysis that tests the application while the app is run by an automated test, human tester, or any activity “interacting” with the application functionality. An application is instrumented, allowing more detailed assessment of the application during dynamic testing.

    Types of tools for automated mobile application security testing