Time to Give Serious Consideration to Enterprise Apps’ Security

As the mobile technology advances, enterprises opt for customized mobile apps in order to reap benefits of a revolutionary mobile platform. But then, such app becomes a “soft target” for hackers. Read on to know more about customized mobile apps’ vulnerability to cyber attacks.

We witness a steady upsurge in the number of mobile applications. As the Internet has a paradigm shift from desktops to handheld devices, many enterprises come forward with their apps. The customized business mobile app becomes one of the most powerful tools for enterprises to address a huge audience comprises smart devices’ users.

These days, web applications are way more secured with a well-defined set of practices. They can readily protect sensitive data. But for mobile apps, we still have a long way to go. Lack of proper security measures and carelessness of enterprise professionals make business mobile apps vulnerable to security breach. Such apps are considered as “soft targets” for the hackers.

Enterprise mobility and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) concept have become increasingly popular. Cyber criminals can take advantage of this situation. Shockingly, they have more advanced vulnerability detection tools than before for finding app weaknesses, and that rings a warning alarm aloud. Such tools can enable hackers to exploit unprotected mobile data caches, weakly protected sensitive company data, etc. In brief, it is easier for hackers to intrude the enterprises through mobile apps.

Which type of mobile apps do hackers target?

Hackers usually target business apps developed by third-party developers and partners that have access to any trusted services. They are more interested in stealing important company data including employee information, competitive intelligence, and useful stats.

With advanced tools and tactics, hackers go after third-party apps that contain sensitive data and lack the necessary security controls. They can target end-users of such apps as well, and users will fall victims to their malicious practices.

Internally made business apps with desired features are also not an exception. However, by using the advanced mobile app development platform for developing tailor-made apps, enterprises can avoid human mistakes responsible for the vulnerability of apps. In addition, such platforms offer enterprises to make apps without coding, and as there is less coding in an app, it is difficult to steal confidential data.

How can companies save their apps?

For every company, third-party security testing for customized business app is critical. If any mobile app handles sensitive corporate data, then companies should opt for security testing of such apps on priority basis.

When it comes to third-party apps, companies can take following safeguards to save their apps from any possible threats:

• There should be contractual obligations on indemnification and liability for third-party developers when appropriate
• Apps need to pass strong security standards while accessing corporate data through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and other means
• Third-party developer should have API keys with the least privileges required for accessing the app
• There should be regular check-up for security controls. Also, revisiting the access control requirement periodically for APIs is beneficial.

In concluding remarks, it is fair to mention that business apps are continuously on the radar of hackers. Therefore, it is better for companies to take necessary safety precautions and periodic review of safety standards. By proper implementation of safety standards, companies can avoid any possible security threat or breach.