Step By Step Process of Developing a Secure Mobile App

With the number of apps slowly getting more than the number of people living on this planet, mobile security has emerged as the biggest concern. There is no doubt that apps that are capable of providing a safe user experience thrive in the competition. For any apps developer, the biggest concern is to create a secure mobile app and this is only possible by testing it for security at every stage of development. Let us see how it is done.

1. During Early Integration Stage – In most of the apps, the issue of security can be managed right from the very first stage of app development. The developer has to plan his app keeping security ahead of everything. This way, the developer can feel less pressure in the later stages of development. Using appropriate security measures in the preliminary stages saves time, money and effort that becomes mandatory to apply during the final stages.

2. During Pre-Design Stage – This stage involves gathering and analyzing the required data for app development. It also includes technical tasks like reviewing the documentation, understanding the OS etc. Thus, this is the stage where a developer can clearly comprehend the constraints and complications; he is going to get one on one later. While developing an enterprise app, company's privacy policy, industrial policy, and regulatory requirements are also reviewed.

3. During App Designing Stage – This is the stage where a designer comes across many security issues but most of them can be confronted easily. The most prominent problem is of implementing the design. Security issues arising during this stage are tougher to track and hence, the best method is to compile a list of the possible fences coming in the way of creating a secure mobile app. This step is followed by a detailed review of the security design, which is conducted by a security expert. 

4. During App Development Stage – This is yet another stage, where an app developer has to confront many security issues. However, until now he is geared with many automated tools to hunt them within the source code. Tracking and fixing bugs and other security vulnerabilities is again a major concern at this stage of app development. This is because the available tools may not be smart enough to track multifarious issues. In this case, an app developer can seek help of his peers by asking them to review his code and track down the inadequacies.

5. App Testing and Deployment Stage – This stage is the time to try out the app thoroughly and ensure zero loopholes in the security. Arrange all processes neatly and build security test cases before starting to examine the application. The testing team will require these cases to create a systematic analysis of your app. Deployment is the last stage where an app is installed, configured and handed over to the users. The production team and the security team should work in tandem to ensure that there is no flaw in terms of security.

As per my experience, training of an app developer plays a major role in allowing him to develop secure mobile apps. Only the trained developers can stick to the pattern of testing an app during the development process as they have a firm grip on the basic terminology and security process. They are equipped with the complete knowledge of implementing the appropriate strategies to make an app safer and secure.