In 2023, there were a total of 257 billion mobile application downloads worldwide. And the mobile app market is estimated to generate more than 613 billion dollars (USD) in revenue in 2025 alone. These types of numbers show us that mobile application usage is not slowing down anytime soon, meaning that mobile app development companies and app users alike will continue to applications to both develop and use.
Businesses of all kinds can find benefits in utilizing mobile apps, from the healthcare industry all the way to small businesses that are looking to connect with their customers. And when it comes to mobile app development, there are a number of key areas that need to be taken into consideration during the development process and post-launch. Some key areas include:
- Knowing your primary audience
- User experience
- Determining what your app will do
- App performance optimization
But perhaps one of the most important areas of mobile app development and app performance optimization is understanding how to keep user data safe. Mobile app security helps to keep sensitive information, like user data, safe from all kinds of external risks including cyberattacks and data leaks.
So, how exactly do we go about keeping user data safe in mobile app development?
Four Ways to Keep User Data Safe In Mobile App Development
While working on app performance optimization is a key part of ensuring that users receive the best user experience possible, it cannot be understated how important keeping user data safe is during mobile app development.
Here are four ways that developers and Jacksonville mobile app development companies work to keep user data safe during the mobile app development process.
Determine What User Information You Will Collect
User data of any kind is considered sensitive information, so it is important to determine what specific user information a mobile application will be collecting. Mobile app users will need to know what kind of information you are collecting and how it may be used. Instituting this type of transparency from the beginning will go a long way to helping your users feel safe with your mobile app handling their data.
Focus on collecting data that you actually need. For example, if you do not need a user’s contact info – be that a phone number, an email address, or something else – do not collect it. This helps to reduce the amount of information that can possibly be at risk should a cyberattack occur and helps your application only collect what you really need.
Utilize Data Encryption
Data privacy and security are a big concern for users, no matter the kind of mobile application they are using. To help ensure user data remains secure, data encryption is a key part of mobile app security.
IBM lays out that data encryption is essentially where cybersecurity is used to “defend against brute-force and cyber-attacks, including malware and ransomware” by securing any kind of data that has been transmitted. Data encryption will transform data such as user data into another form or a code that is restricted to a specific set of people.
There are several different types of data encryption that a mobile app development company might employ like an API or standard protocols like HTTPS, SSL, or TLS.
High Level Authentication
Mobile app authentication via user passwords and usernames is critical to ensuring that a user is the one who is actually signing into their mobile account. Authentication helps verify a user’s identity and you can incorporate a number of additional steps to the authentication process to help make it as secure as possible.
This may include:
- Requiring users to make use of multi-factor authentication.
- Sending periodic reminds for users to change their passwords.
- Require alphanumeric passwords.
- Incorporate biometric authentication, such as facial or fingerprint recognition.
Strong Security Checks
When it comes mobile app security and app performance optimization, performing strong security checks before and after the application is launched is imperative to maintaining its functionality and usability. Before launch, a mobile application needs to be checked for any kind of vulnerability that may leave an app at risk.
Common security tests that a mobile app development company may run include:
- Penetration testing
- Risk assessment
- Posture assessment
- Vulnerability scanning
- Authentication testing
- Encryption testing
Running security checks and testing before an app’s launch will ensure that any vulnerabilities or security risks have been addressed. And even after launch, regular testing will help ensure that any potential, new vulnerabilities can be handled in a timely manner.
Developing and launching a mobile application that is secure helps to build trust in your users and ensures that sensitive data is not at risk of being compromised. A secure mobile application will be an ongoing process, but securing data user during the development process is extremely important, especially as threats to user data continue.
About The Author
Split Reef is a Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida mobile app development company that proudly offers a full suite of digital development and digital marketing services. With offices located in two different cross-sectional cities, they are able to work with a wide range of clients across all types of industries including small businesses, service providers, and law firms. Their full suite of services include mobile application development for both Android and iOS, web design, SEO services, social media marketing, and corporate brand identity design. Their team is comprised of experienced technical experts who are ready to get to work on your next project. Contact them online or over the phone to learn more about their work in app performance optimization.
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