5 Reasons Why Mobile App Security Testing is Important for Your Organization

Over the past two decades, mobile applications have transformed the way we work and communicate.  

From being completely reliant on IT-provisioned desktop machines to being provided with the option of choosing your work device, mobile apps have transformed the way we work today, and also played a huge role in defining the modern remote and hybrid workspace models. 

Nonetheless, a question that keeps C-level executives awake all night is, "Are my mobile apps secure?" 

Mobile apps remain the prime target for hackers, and securing apps is now  a top priority for every company. Businesses are consistently performing mobile app security testing to eliminate loopholes and ensure apps are compliant with industry regulations.

What is mobile application security testing and why is it important?

Mobile application security testing refers to the process of testing mobile apps for bugs and loopholes that cybercriminals can use to their advantage. Effective security testing starts with an understanding of an application’s business purpose and the types of data it handles. A combination of static analysis, dynamic analysis, and penetration testing is performed to check for vulnerabilities and observe the functional behavior of the software system and its overall performance.  

According to GlobeNewswire, the global security testing market is expected to experience remarkable growth at a CAGR of 20.7% and is predicted to garner $27,593.9 million in revenue during the 2020–2027 period. Undoubtedly, mobile app security testing has become a necessity that organizations should consider as a key area of investment. 

With this in mind, let’s look at five reasons why mobile app security testing is important.

1. To Maintain High Security Standards

Mobile app testing helps developers mitigate risks by identifying vulnerabilities in the application interface. If flaws remain undetected or are ignored, they may eventually become susceptible to serious security threats. Cybercriminals can locate businesses’ systemic weaknesses and take advantage of them. If a company employs external, cloud-based, or outsourced services, the need for security testing multiplies. By following proven testing practices, it is possible to predict the behavior of a malicious source. This ability equips organizations against future risk scenarios. 

2. Strengthen Brand Loyalty

Ethics and reputation are crucial for any business. In order to strengthen brand loyalty, organizations should ensure that they build high quality applications. For this purpose, organizations choose to employ various types of mobile app testing methods. One of the major mobile app security tests is penetration testing, in which testers simulate a remote attack using their in-depth IT knowledge and specialized tools. In this scenario, the testers check how the app responds or works when exposed to loopholes. For example, testers try to access the apps that are undergoing testing with incorrect credentials and check how the apps perform. This approach reveals how effective an app's defenses are as well as how vulnerable it is to such attacks.

3. Reduce Costs 

Another major reason businesses perform application security testing is to save money and resources. Even though the cost to acquire advanced testing tools is hefty, it is not comparable to the remediation cost. If applications are tested early on in the process, vulnerabilities can be discovered and fixed soon. By testing applications before their launch, businesses can identify flaws in the source code, bottlenecks, and security gaps, and resolve them before the app is released to users. 

4. Comply with Industry Regulations 

Testing is not always about finding bugs. It also helps evaluate whether an application complies with all the industry regulations and standards. Software development companies are required to abide by cybersecurity laws and ensure that their products comply with the required policies.  

5. Validate Third-Party Integration

In this process, applications are tested for compatibility with the third party APIs and services. In addition to examining an app's source code, mobile app security testing is also used to look into the app's behavior. Applications are evaluated to see how they will function with storage, certification, and user data at the endpoint. So, if businesses use third-party apps, testing becomes even more essential. 

The Need for a Private Device Farm Solution During Mobile App Security Testing Process

Data security remains a major concern when the use of mobile apps is involved. For any mobile app to provide a truly universal experience, it must be compatible with all devices, operating systems, and browsers. Testing mobile apps on all these aspects is a challenging task. In addition, fragmentation is another major concern for testers while performing mobile app testing. Geographically dispersed software developers and testers who work remotely and follow asynchronous work schedules struggle to gain physical access to devices and run tests. This impacts productivity and increases the operational costs of companies as they have to procure the same set of devices multiple times or transport devices to different locations and manage a larger device inventory.

Such challenges can be addressed by using a private device farm solution, such as AstroFarm. 

By using a solution like AstroFarm, businesses can build a private farm and allow developers and testers to remotely access diverse devices for development and testing tasks—anytime, and from anywhere. When devices are easily accessible, development and testing teams have a higher chance of getting their hands on needed devices quickly, which results in improved productivity.

AstroFarm helps IT teams remotely troubleshoot issues associated with devices and apps. It takes away the hassle of shipping devices from faraway places, to the facility for troubleshooting, and this way, it eliminates shipping costs. AstroFarm is not just used for reducing testing costs, but also to enhance device optimization and utilization by bringing all the existing devices into use.