5 Key Mobile App Security Components that Appknox Helps Secure

We've mentioned in the past that mobile app security components are a huge space in itself. Security testing vendors often claim they can do it all and help you get secured all around. But the truth is companies are still getting hacked every day. So ensuring you are testing your app isn't really the solution, but rather an illusion that most businesses hide behind. Your best option is to go with people who are specialists in this space, who know every component in and out. In this case, mobile application security testing specialists. Here's how Appknox helps keep your mobile applications secure.

5 Key Mobile App Security Components that Appknox Helps Secure

1. Basic Security Testing

Basic security testing is one of the key aspects of security testing in any application, especially when it comes to an app that is driving a business with financial transactions on it. Basic security generally tests your app for attributes like compliances, SSL, code configurations, permissions and other such commonly exploited vulnerabilities.

It was estimated by Gartner that over 75% of mobile applications would fail basic security testing in the year 2017, and so it did. An Appknox study with the top banking apps in the APAC region revealed that 85% of mobile banking apps failed basic security testing.

Basic security testing issues can lead to threats from anything like identity theft to manipulation of amounts paid via the payment gateway and other damaging consequences.

Since the threat landscape is a constantly changing one, it is always great to have an automated system to help test your app constantly and ensure your basic security testing is updated regularly.

Appknox’s fully automated Static Application Security Testing (SAST) solution helps businesses secure over 36 test cases which are commonly exploited. Appknox also ensures that these test cases are updated regularly to the demands of the dynamic security ecosystem.

Learn More About Appknox SAST >>>>>>

2. RunTime and Data Flow Security

While Static code analyzers are an absolute necessity, there are certain limitations into the depths to which it could go. The point is that even if certain codes look safe, it may not entirely be safe. This, even if you’ve followed the world’s best security standards. Developers are human and it’s possible one of them overlooked an embarrassing vulnerability while his focus was on building world-class functionalities for the app.  

This is why a Dynamic Application Security Testing is used. It helps detect threats at a much deeper level in an actual simulated environment. Dynamic testing usually looks for issues in encryption, memory, permissions, performance, and backend code injections. All this while your application interacts with the server, just like when one of your customers would be while using your app.

One of the most common and classic methods of hacking used by hackers is the Man in the Middle Attack (MITM). This means he (the hacker) sees all information which passes between your customer’s app and the server.

Appknox’s dynamic testing is done on real devices with the support of a device farm to ensure speed, stability, and reliability. Your team interacts with your app in a simulated environment (also automated) to show you if there are loopholes or vulnerabilities in the transportation layer.

Dynamic security testing is the perfect complement to static testing for ensuring an additional layer of security coverage for your app.

Learn More About Appknox DAST > > > > >

3. Catch those hackers

We firmly believe that no amount of automation or technology can outsmart the mind of a human. The human mind is far more intelligent than any machine out there. This is exactly why if there are real hackers out there trying to break into your app or business, you need an ethical hacker whos smarter and faster and can get the better of the unethical ones.

We’ve seen that apps have all sorts of issues ranging from manipulation of checksum which allows you to modify the amount you pay for a product or service, to issues with open access of bank account details, illegal recharge of a financial wallet and the list goes on. The possibilities are endless here. You’ll be surprised what these guys (the hackers) come up with each day to go past a security wall.

Appknox’s Manual Application Security Testing is proud to have some of the industry’s best ethical hackers that ensure there is absolutely no way around your app’s security parameters.

Learn More About MAST > > > > >

 

Appknox Mobile Security Testing

4. Mobile App Components on the Server Side

API security is an important element in the mobile application security landscape, primarily because of the hundreds and thousands of applications making calls every day.

As the world around us becomes more connected via the internet, the need to build secure networks grows abundantly. APIs continue to be an integral business strategy across industries especially with the rise of IoT. The number of public APIs listed on apihound is around 50,000, while the number of private APIs is assumed to be more than the number of public APIs.

That’s a lot of data being passed over the web and who knows what sensitive information these API's hold? 

It seems like every day we hear about some business getting hacked while having thousands of user’s information exposed. Consumer’s patience with mediocre security is wearing thin. So why is it that API security is still not widely practiced?

Appknox has a simple automated API security solution that ensures all mobile app components on the API server is completely secure. Appknox also includes industry security best practices to help ensure complete API security.  

Try Appknox API Testing FREE > > > > >

5. SDK Security

As you probably already know, an SDK powers specific functions within an app, yet its stability and performance are critical to how well the app holds up.  Think of an SDK as your app’s pacemaker. If the SDK stops, your app will crash.

This is why it is important to pick the best SDK to provide the features you need, preferably a battle-tested, mature one with a proven track record. Although security has been a raging concern in the mobile application security world, securing mobile SDK is often ignored and leads to all sorts of problems for app business in both the short and long run.

Appknox helps businesses ensure that both the SDK in itself and the implementation of an SDK is done with the utmost integrity and thoroughness. This ensures that businesses don't suffer when using third-party SDK.

Request SDK Demo > > > > > 

As you can see, we weren't making up things about how vast the mobile application security landscape was. It is indeed the job of a specialist to help ensure complete security for your businesses which are driven by mobile apps. Appknox is known as a thought leader in mobile application security testing and we're proud to have some of the industry's best as a part of our team.

Published on Jan 24, 2019
Harshit Agarwal
Written by Harshit Agarwal
Harshit Agarwal is the co-founder and CEO of Appknox, a mobile security suite that helps enterprises automate mobile security. Over the last decade, Harshit has worked with 500+ businesses ranging from top financial institutions to Fortune 100 companies, helping them enhance their security measures.
Beyond the tech world, Harshit loves adventure. When he's not busy making sure the digital realm is safe, he's out trekking and exploring new destinations.

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