Mobile applications have become increasingly prevalent in the last decade or so. From ordering groceries to preparing To-Do lists - there is an app for every single activity imaginable. Apps are designed to simplify our lives and hence, unsurprisingly, there are thousands of apps available and most of them have thousands of downloads. While detailed attention is paid to the interface and the design of the app, the security aspect tends to get overlooked. This is exactly why processes such as app shielding, wrapping, and hardening are crucial.
Benefits of Application Hardening
The consequences of a security breach are borne not just by the company but also by the users. Consumers stand to lose their information which can then be further exploited by adversaries. And hence, businesses that do not implement strict safety measures leading to the loss of sensitive data will lose the trust of their customers and ultimately, this will affect the overall revenue generated. While security measures may not be able to provide fail-proof protection, they do help in minimizing losses which help in saving companies from losing huge amounts.
Application hardening is one such process of protecting apps against security threats such as tampering and reverse engineering. Application hardening makes it difficult for adversaries to manipulate the data and this helps in thwarting cyber-attacks. App hardening helps in making the application immune to both dynamic and static analysis. The following are some other benefits of application hardening:
Security in Zero Trust Environments
Application hardening allows applications to function smoothly and safely even in zero-trust environments. Organizations across the globe today encourage the use of personal devices for organizational operations. These BYOD policies have become even more prevalent since the pandemic. However, this has also made ensuring app security across an array of environments and devices slightly more difficult. App hardening provides protection even when the application is run in unknown environments that might be less secure.
Protects Sensitive Data
If your application stores sensitive data, ensuring strict security becomes even more important. In fact, apps that store information such as card numbers or any other confidential data are usually targeted by adversaries. If such data is exposed it can risk the personal information of your entire customer base and/or organization. App hardening helps in ensuring that such sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands.
Protects Company Reputation
Negligence towards security does not just result in financial loss but can also damage the reputation of the company. Once consumers lose the trust they have in your company, it will become very difficult to gain it back. Hard-earned trust is an asset for most companies and not something that can be handled casually. Following the right app security practices such as app wrapping and hardening helps in maintaining the reputation of the company and also gives a competitive edge.
Conclusion
App hardening is an integral part of creating a secure mobile environment. It protects applications against threats such as IP theft, misuse of data, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and tampering. Making use of the right app protection processes is quite beneficial in the long run.