Ensuring Secure App Development: Best Practices

In app development, security cannot be an afterthought. A flawed product development can lead to various problems and expenses that could have been avoided if only security measures during the initial development phase had been taken. What’s more, adding security later may require reworking and changing the way features have been implemented, which can lead to additional costs and delays.

In Polymetis, we believe it is best to design features with security in mind and create a robust and secure application from the beginning. This article will explore best practices for ensuring secure app development that can help you avoid problems with your product and build secure and reliable applications.

Risk Management

To ensure secure app development, it’s essential to identify potential security vulnerabilities and risks associated with the application. Businesses can reduce risks to an acceptable level and prevent potential attacks by conducting a thorough security assessment. The assessment should evaluate the app’s architecture, coding practices, and third-party integrations to help developers reduce the likelihood of a security breach. The severity of a vulnerability should be weighed against its potential impact on the system, and the most significant risks should be prioritized for effective mitigation.

Developers should also limit or contain vulnerabilities within their applications to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. There must be access controls and limited use of third-party libraries and components. Likewise, regular updates to these components are also essential to prevent vulnerabilities from arising.

Secure Coding and Development

It is by way of implementing secure coding practices, developers can prevent common security vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of potential attacks. Here are some best practices for secure coding and development:

• Use secure coding techniques. Developers should follow coding guidelines and standards that aim to prevent common security vulnerabilities. Such vulnerabilities include SQL injection and cross-site scripting, among others. Secure coding techniques, such as input validation and error handling, should also be used to prevent potential attacks.
• Use a common language in developing security requirements. Developers should use a common language in developing security requirements. This approach ensures that all stakeholders clearly understand the security requirements and can implement them effectively.
• Avoid unnecessary security mechanisms. Overcomplicating security mechanisms can lead to confusion and create new vulnerabilities. Developers should focus on implementing the most effective security mechanisms while keeping the system simple and easy to understand.
• Train developers in secure software development. Developers should be trained in secure software development practices. Companies should provide training and resources for developers to learn secure coding practices and stay up-to-date with the latest security threats and mitigation strategies.

Data Protection and Encryption

Ensuring data protection and encryption is a critical aspect of secure app development. Developers can safeguard sensitive information from potential attackers by following the best practices outlined below.

• Prioritize security as an integral part of system design. As we mentioned in the introduction, developers should prioritize security as part of the overall system design, incorporating security from the start of the development process to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities before they become an issue.
• Use encryption. Encrypted communication protocols, such as HTTPS, should be used to ensure secure communication between the app and servers. Additionally, sensitive data stored within the app should be encrypted using robust encryption algorithms.
• Secure Data Storage. Sensitive data should be stored securely on the device and within the app. This can be achieved by using encryption too, but also by enforcing access controls and other secure storage practices, such as network activity monitoring, data loss prevention systems, and cloud backups. Additionally, developers should implement secure backup and recovery processes to ensure that data can be recovered in case of an attack or device failure.
• Use VPNs for Secure Communication. VPNs encrypt all traffic between the device and the server, preventing potential attackers from intercepting sensitive information. Businesses can choose popular VPN providers such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Managing Security Risks in Third-Party Components

While it's common to rely on third-party libraries and components to speed up development and reduce costs, this practice can also pose significant security risks. A security vulnerability in a third-party component can lead to an exploit in the entire application, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing unauthorized access to the system.

To manage security risks associated with third-party components, follow these best practices:

• Evaluate the security of third-party components. Before integrating a third-party component into your application, evaluate its security posture. Check if the component has any known vulnerabilities, and if there are any security advisories or patches available.
• Monitor for vulnerabilities and updates. Keep track of vulnerabilities and updates for all third-party components used in your application. Likewise, subscribe to vulnerability alerts and follow the vendor's security bulletin.
• Limit the use of third-party components. Only use third-party components that are necessary for the application's functionality. Limiting the use of third-party components reduces the attack surface and makes it easier to manage their security.
• Keep third-party components up-to-date. Regularly update third-party components to their latest version to address known vulnerabilities and ensure that you have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
• Have a fallback plan. Have a fallback plan in place in case a third-party component becomes unavailable or poses a security risk. Identify alternatives and plan for their integration if necessary.

Testing, Updating, and Layered Security

Regular testing and updating are necessary to identify potential vulnerabilities and risks, and developers should conduct security testing regularly. Additionally, developers must keep the app up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates to ensure that any known security vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of a successful attack.

To ensure there is no single point of vulnerability, developers should implement layered security, which involves utilizing multiple security mechanisms to create a more robust and secure system. Layered security provides defense in depth, ensuring that if one layer is breached, the other layers will prevent unauthorized access.

Furthermore, developers should identify and prevent common errors and vulnerabilities by using tools such as static code analysis and penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities. Following best practices for secure coding and implementing secure coding guidelines will help prevent common security vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

The bottom line

By following the best practices listed in this article, companies can reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and protect sensitive information. Still, bear in mind that the industry evolves at a fast pace, and what not long ago was the right choice, new technologies make it insecure, or exploits have been found. Hence, have an eye open for new threats, but also technologies that can help you deal with them.

‍