A mobile app security framework is a set of guidelines and best practices to bolster mobile applications’ security. It offers an organized method for recognizing and mitigating security risks, as well as guaranteeing that security is taken into account throughout every stage of development for a given mobile app.
Mobile app security frameworks typically incorporate secure coding practices, data encryption, authentication and authorization, network security, and secure data storage. Furthermore, these frameworks address essential areas like user privacy compliance with regulatory requirements, vulnerability management, and more.
Some of the major mobile app security frameworks used by developers include:
- OWASP Mobile Security Project: The Open Web Application Security Project’s (OWASP) Mobile Security Project provides guidelines and best practices for creating secure mobile apps. It identifies critical security risks facing mobile apps as well as strategies on how to mitigate them effectively.
- Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS): The Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS), developed by OWASP, sets security requirements and serves as a testing guide for mobile apps. With three levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced), the standard seeks to assist developers with creating secure apps.
- Mobile App Security Requirements and Verification (MASVR) Framework: The Mobile App Security Requirements and Verification Framework from OWASP serves as another initiative that works alongside MASVS by offering detailed requirements and verification procedures for mobile apps to ensure they comply with necessary security standards.
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework: While not used solely for mobile applications, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework is a comprehensive set of guidelines, standards, and best practices developed to assist organizations in effectively managing and improving their cybersecurity risk management. This framework offers organizations a structured approach for recognizing threats or incidents, protecting against them, responding quickly, recovering quickly from them, and recovering afterward. Furthermore, its design makes it adaptable enough for various industries and business sizes – an indispensable asset in improving overall cyber resilience and posture.
- PCI: PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a security framework designed to secure credit card transactions and protect cardholder data. It is not a comprehensive security framework like NIST or ISO 27001 but focuses on the security of payment card information.
- HITRUST: HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is the core of the HITRUST framework. It is a certifiable framework that integrates various security and privacy requirements from different regulations and standards, such as HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and others. The CSF consolidates these requirements into a unified framework tailored for the healthcare sector.
- FDA: One notable framework in this context is the “FDA’s Postmarket Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices.” The FDA recognizes the importance of cybersecurity in medical devices and works to ensure patient safety by promoting best practices and risk management strategies to address potential cybersecurity threats.
Frameworks and tools like these enable developers to implement security best practices and identify vulnerabilities during development, making mobile applications more resistant to attacks. As technology rapidly changes, developers must stay current on security practices and frameworks to protect their mobile apps effectively.