There were 2,365 cyberattacks in 2023, breaking the record of 1,702 in 2021. They affected 343,338,964 victims, including the U.S. State Department. The year 2023 also saw a record 257 billion mobile app downloads, some of which provided a window for threat actors to execute their cyberattacks.
Organizations can expect that the number of cyberattacks will only increase in the future and that the number of mobile app downloads will likely rise. That means app development teams must take every possible step to build robust security measures into their software development lifecycle (SDLC) and focus on security in their DevSecOps processes.
This article highlights why organizations of all types and sizes should make DevSecOps a key part of their business strategy. Ultimately, teams that emphasize DevSecOps investment contribute to the greater social good by creating a safer digital world for all. They also minimize their attack surface, enhance brand image and trust among their consumers, and increase their profitability.
A recent IBM report showed that the global average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million. Whether they use a phishing attempt, code injection, or other method, threat actors often exploit the vulnerabilities found within mobile apps to access prohibited data. Companies that invest in DevSecOps have more resources to allocate to their application security processes, helping them design products that can withstand even the most advanced threats.
Threat actors have many tools to infiltrate an app’s cyber defenses, so DevSecOps teams must be equally creative to stop them. Many of their tactics hinge on gaining access to the source code behind the app, so the application protection techniques that DevSevOps teams employ typically involve building security measures into the script itself. Some of the most common app hardening methods include:
Watermarking, removal, hooking checks, and emulator checks are just a few other methods an app hardening solution can use to strengthen a product’s defenses. So, investing in one that offers a gauntlet of security tactics is a key part of protecting an app.
When hackers infiltrate mobile apps, they can compromise the company’s products, operations, and data. For example, reverse engineering allows threat actors to understand how an app is created, giving them multiple ways to exploit an organization. First, they could identify code vulnerabilities and devise tactics to infiltrate an app and the broader tech infrastructure. Second, they could simply sell a company’s code to competitors, releasing an app’s digital blueprints to the highest bidder.
Mobile app hardening tactics, such as tamper detection, shut down threat actors when they suspect their script is being rewritten. Combined with other methods, this deters threat actors from accessing code, where they could then sabotage a product, exfiltrate sensitive data, and compromise other mission-critical parts of a company’s operations.
Applications have become integral to many companies’ operations, whether they’re the final product or a tool to complete other tasks. DevSecOps products that feature mobile app hardening help preserve them.
When applications get hacked, everyday lives are affected. Modern applications contain all sorts of sensitive end-user data, including:
When an end user’s sensitive data gets disclosed, bad actors often hold the company that created the exploited app responsible. Sometimes, this means legal action; other times, it looks like damaged brand trust and tarnished corporate image. And since 79% of consumers consider themselves highly protective of their data — and their trust in a brand — companies that suffer a breach due to inadequately safeguarding their apps are sure to feel the loss in their bottom line.
Because data breaches have a personal impact, many regulations and industry standards have been implemented to ensure that companies use every reasonable measure to stop them. Some of the most common regulations are:
These regulations place specific guidelines on the steps a company must take to safeguard its customers’ sensitive data, and some of those guidelines pertain to the security measures taken within its app development processes. Businesses that fail to implement the necessary security layers may risk incurring a costly compliance violation, further damaging the bottom line.
Cyberattacks have become all too common, and one of the main ways threat actors achieve them is through mobile apps. Organizations that proactively invest in DevSecOps are better equipped to create less penetrable apps to minimize the risk of an attack, improving public safety and their operations. It’s a win-win for all.
PreEmptive offers app-hardening solutions to help organizations keep themselves and their users safe from threats. The software employs various advanced techniques to bolster an app’s cybersecurity posture, from code obfuscation to encryption at rest and in transit. With 20 years of expertise in making apps secure, PreEmptive’s client list includes FedEx, Charles Schwab, The Census Bureau, and Microsoft. To see how PreEmptive can strengthen DevSecOps, request a free trial today.