How can you teach your team to secure mobile apps and protect privacy?

1 Use secure coding practices

The first step to secure mobile apps and protect privacy is to use secure coding practices that prevent common vulnerabilities and errors. For example, you should avoid hard-coding sensitive data, such as passwords, keys, or tokens, in the app code, and use encryption and hashing techniques to store and transmit data securely. You should also validate user input, sanitize output, and implement proper error handling to avoid injection attacks, cross-site scripting, and information leakage. Additionally, you should use code obfuscation and minification tools to make your app code harder to reverse engineer and tamper with.

3 Apply the principle of least privilege

The third step to secure mobile apps and protect privacy is to apply the principle of least privilege, which means that you should grant the minimum permissions and resources that your app needs to function properly. For example, you should request only the necessary permissions from the users, such as location, camera, or contacts, and explain why you need them. You should also use the Android Manifest or the iOS Info.plist files to declare the permissions and features that your app requires, and check them at runtime. Moreover, you should use sandboxing and containerization techniques to isolate your app from other apps and the system, and prevent data leakage or corruption.

4 Test and update your app regularly

The fourth step to secure mobile apps and protect privacy is to test and update your app regularly to identify and fix any security or privacy issues. For example, you should use static analysis tools, such as SonarQube or Checkmarx, to scan your app code for vulnerabilities and bugs. You should also use dynamic analysis tools, such as Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP, to simulate attacks and monitor your app behavior and traffic. Additionally, you should use penetration testing tools, such as Metasploit or Nmap, to exploit your app weaknesses and evaluate your app defenses. Furthermore, you should release security patches and updates as soon as possible, and notify your users about them.

5 Educate your users and stakeholders

The fifth step to secure mobile apps and protect privacy is to educate your users and stakeholders about the security and privacy risks and responsibilities that come with using your app. For example, you should provide clear and concise privacy policies and terms of service that explain how you collect, use, share, and protect your users' data. You should also provide tips and guidance on how to use your app securely, such as choosing strong passwords, enabling encryption, or disabling unnecessary permissions. Additionally, you should communicate with your users and stakeholders about any security or privacy incidents or changes, and solicit their feedback and suggestions.

6 Follow the industry standards and regulations

The sixth and final step to secure mobile apps and protect privacy is to follow the industry standards and regulations that apply to your app domain and market. For example, you should comply with the ISO/IEC 27034 standard for application security, or the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard for best practices. You should also adhere to the relevant laws and regulations, such as the GDPR for data protection in the EU, or the HIPAA for health information in the US. By following the industry standards and regulations, you can ensure that your app meets the expectations and requirements of your users and authorities, and avoid legal or reputational consequences.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?