Mobile App Security Testing (MAST): Securing Apps

Definition: Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) is a process for checking and testing how secure mobile apps are. The goal is to find weak spots and security gaps in apps. Criminals could use them to steal sensitive data or tamper with the app. Like any other software, mobile apps can have many kinds of security issues.

Typical vulnerabilities in mobile apps

Weak data encryption
Unsafe data transfer
Weak login methods
Flaws in the app logic
Access to confidential data by people who should not have it

You can find and fix these and other weak spots with thorough security tests and regular reviews.

Security measures in Mobile Application Security Testing

Thorough security checks during development
Safe coding practices
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Regular updates and patches for security gaps
Penetration tests

You should also have an incident response plan. Then you can react fast when a security breach happens.

MAST tools and techniques

There are many tools and methods for Mobile Application Security Testing:

Static code analysis: Checks the app's source code for possible weak spots.
Dynamic analysis: Watches how the app works with its runtime environment. It finds security gaps while the app is running.
Penetration testing: Fake attacks on the app. They find security gaps under real-world conditions.
Security reviews of third-party libraries: Find risks that come from unsafe parts made by others.

The right tool depends on what you need and on how complex your app is.

Benefits of Mobile Application Security Testing

MAST has several benefits:

A more secure app and a more secure overall ecosystem.
Protection for sensitive user data, and you meet data protection rules.
Fewer data leaks and less access by people who should not have it.
A better app reputation, because users trust its security.

A good MAST program keeps your app secure. It also builds user trust and protects your brand.

Best practices for Mobile Application Security Testing

Test early and often: Build security tests into the development process and the CI/CD pipeline. Do not wait until just before release.
Use known standards: Base your tests on the OWASP MASVS and the OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG).
Include the backend: Test the app and also the APIs and server parts it connects to.
Cover both platforms: Test Android and iOS versions on their own. Their design and protection features differ.
Track results: Rank the weak spots you find by risk. Run a retest to confirm each fix.

Common challenges and solutions

Short release cycles

Apps get updated often, so there is little time for manual reviews. The answer: automated static and dynamic tests in the build pipeline, plus regular manual penetration tests.

Variety of devices and operating system versions

Apps run on many devices and OS versions. Test the versions you really support. Where you can, test on real devices.

Third-party SDKs

Built-in libraries and SDKs can bring in weak spots or unwanted data flows. Keep a list of the parts you use and review them on a regular basis. That lowers the risk.

Measuring success

Useful metrics for MAST include:

Number of weak spots found, by severity
Time to fix critical weak spots
Share of releases that were security-tested before going live

Your next step

Our experts help you test your mobile apps for weak spots where it counts. They also help you make security tests a lasting part of your development process.