Every new Android version comes with new security features. Some of them are built-in to help you protect your sensitive data, while others offer better access permission controls.
General security updates address the issues with vendor-specific hardware and software, entitlement controllers, and media providers. Device-specific security updates address the issues and vulnerabilities discovered in specific device models.
If you’re concerned about your privacy and security while using Android apps, you should know that there are many moving parts on the board. Here are the most notable Android application security trends that will protect your data in 2023.
New security app versions
The market for security apps for Android has never been as dynamic as it is now. New app releases are released regularly, while the best security app vendors continue to release updates to address newly discovered vulnerabilities and cyberattack vectors.
New security apps must meet high expectations. They must provide excellent protection against malicious websites, malware, viruses, theft, and data breaches and leaks, while having a minimal impact on performance.
New apps come with easy-to-use privacy features to enable easy app lock. Fraud alerts are also a big deal, as are critical notifications like privacy breach alerts.
App development with a focus on security
Many Android development teams already code apps following best security practices. However, the new trend in the development lifecycle will forever change the way developers approach security. This trend is called DevSecOps.
It introduces security as one of the most important aspects in any app development life cycle. This implies that security should be a critical part of all phases of the development lifecycle, including:
- encoding.
- trigger builds.
- deploy packages.
- Monitoring for problems at runtime.
DevSecOps best practices also apply to coding, testing, and implementing new features to ensure security is an integral part of app development.
Everything DevSecOps needs to become a mainstream methodology is already in place, including static application security testing, software composition analysis, and dynamic application security testing.
Proactive security
More and more Android users rely on mobile applications to manage their cryptocurrencies. Given the significant value of some crypto tokens, these users are a target for cyber criminals looking to steal their crypto savings.
Traditionally, security solutions for mobile apps have been more reactive. The new trend heralds more proactive in-app security measures. It all boils down to detecting and preventing the threat rather than repairing the damage it causes.
Proactive mobile app security benefits both brands and mobile app users. It has immense power to reduce cybersecurity risks, cut costs and instill trust in mobile users.
New security standards for mobile applications
Google is constantly working to expand the security standards for mobile apps in the Play Store. It’s one of the most efficient ways to protect end users and ensure their data is safe. Over the next year, we should expect Google to champion new security best practices.
Chances are, Google won’t be alone in this. The App Defense Alliance shares Google’s view on mobile app security standards. These two big names have already started lobbying for organizations that provide free resources on mobile application security best practices, including the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project).
We should see new security standards for mobile applications, such as B. the latest version of the Mobile Application Security Verification Standard. The new version of the MASVS states that security testing should go through all stages of the app development lifecycle, which we touched on when we talked about DevSecOps.
It remains to be seen how many Android software developers will adopt the OWASP standards and whether the pressure on companies testing mobile applications for higher security will increase.
Conclusion
The new security trends in the Android app development niche tell us that the Android operating system and the apps available through the Google Play Store will be (at least a little) more secure than they were this year. We should expect many more releases of new security apps, the rise of DevOps, proactive security measures, and new security standards for mobile apps.
It’s reassuring to see that professionals are taking critical steps on many fronts to protect mobile users’ privacy and data.
If you want to keep up to date with the latest developments in this area, you can keep an eye on the Android Security Bulletin as it regularly publishes details of security vulnerabilities affecting Android smartphones and tablets.
