Understanding The Importance of Implementing App Security from the Start of Development

The increasing competition among organizations has led developers to create and launch more and more applications each day while compromising its security. Unlike in the past, customers are now educated and aware of the importance of application security. Whether they want to share an important document or save their images, they always prefer an application that provides high-security of their data. As privacy is becoming a major concern for customers nowadays, companies are trying to provide security to user data through built-in security in the app.  The built-in security assures customers of the privacy of their data and satisfies the customer completely.

Importance of Built-in Security in Apps

Before we get down to the significance of the built-in security apps, let's understand the term application security. Application security is a procedure used to secure apps by identifying, resolving, and improving the security of apps. Application security is mostly conducted during the development of an application; however, it contains tools and processes to secure the app once it is launched. There are countless reasons as to why application security is an important aspect for smartphone users. However, one of the most significant reasons to integrate application security is that it protects the data from security threats and breaches. The built-in security in apps allows app security analysts to check for vulnerabilities and weak areas and protect them by resolving security issues.

Benefits of Built-in Security in Apps

After the importance of securing apps, let’s discuss some of the benefits of built-in security in apps.

1. Built-in security in apps helps to protect the confidential data from theft, threats, and other vulnerabilities.
2. Providing customers, a secure app helps an organization to maintain goodwill in the market.

Apart from the direct benefits, the built-in security in apps provides indirect benefits as well. Goodwill in the market will increase the number of users of the application, thus will increase the profit margin of the company.

Managing Security from the Beginning of the App Development 

As security in apps has become an important element. App developers tend to secure the app from the beginning of the SDLC (software development lifecycle). Here are some of the best practices to ensure app security from the beginning of the app development.

Implementing Secure Communication

End-to-end encryption has become a very common way to ensure security in the apps. By protecting user data between your app and third-party apps or your app and a website, you enhance the steadiness and protection of the data among the sender and receiver.

Use Implicit Intents and Non-Exported Content Providers

1. Show an App Chooser: If an implicit intent can unveil two possible apps on the user’s device, explicitly show an app chooser. The use of an interface strategy will enable the user to transfer the confidential data to the app they trust.
2. Implementing Signature-Based Permission: The permission key allows the protection of the data from both ends. A signature-based permission key is the same from the sender and receiver’s side. To access user data, both parties need to enter the same key. The permission key provides an efficient user experience. 
3. Disabling Access to App’s Content Providers: Deny access to third-party app developers from gaining the content that your app showcases or stores.

Use of Credentials for Confidential Data

It is best to secure your app using credentials. These credentials can be in the form of pin/password/pattern or biometric such as fingerprint or face recognition. Through these security tools, a hacker can’t access confidential data using unauthorized means.

 Implementing Network Security Measures

Securing an app network is essential. Below are some ways to enhance security in the network of an app.

1. The Use of SSL Traffic: The use of the Security Socket Layer will help your app connect with a web server that is certified from renowned and reliable CA, HTTPS the request becomes very simple.
2. Adding a Network Security Configuration: If your app uses new or custom Cas, you can assert your network security settings in a configuration file. This method enables to create configuration without altering an app code.
3. Personal Trust Manager: Having an SSL is no doubt helpful; however, your app can’t only rely on SSL. The SSL checker should not accept all certificates. Create a trust manager that can manage all the SSL warnings as they occur.

Using WebView Objects Prudently

Implement the WebView object. This object does not allow the user to circumnavigate to sites that are outside of your app. Moreover, it’s important to enable the JavaScript Interface support in only one condition when you have complete control over the content in your app’s WebView objects.

Providing Right Permissions

Make sure your app requests a limited number of permissions that are required to work efficiently. Your app should be able to renounce some of the permissions when required.

Storing Data Safely 

Store the data of users in the internal storage of the app. Through storing data in the sandboxed per-app, the hacker can’t hack or access sensitive data. Once the user uninstalls the app, the data is deleted as well. However, you can keep the unimportant data in cache files.

Updated Services and Dependencies

Make sure your app does not rely on any other app for a special task. Keep the dependency of your app updated to secure your app.

Training Developers with QuickStart

As app security has become an important element, it is important to look into the matter thoroughly. Many organizations are now investing a huge amount of money in training their developers with QuickStart so they can build secured apps for customers.

The two best trainings provided by QuickStart is Container development and QA and Azure security engineer training. The two training will help developers understand the best practices of securing an app and develop apps that are secured from threats and other vulnerabilities. For further assistance on more certifications about app security, contact our experts at QuickStart today!