Navigating Mobile App Security & Privacy Regulations: How NowSecure Can Help Ensure Compliance
Posted by Kylie Amison
Mobile devices have become essential in our daily lives, providing instant access to a vast array of information and services. On average, users engage with more than 20 mobile applications each day, making apps key to our digital existence. However, as our dependence on mobile technology increases, so does the associated threat landscape and risk of data loss.
Whether you’re a CISO, AppSec executive or global risk & compliance leader, staying informed about the emerging regulatory compliance requirements to protect your organization against mobile application security and privacy risks is vital. Below, we’ll explore some of the key regulatory activities aimed at mobile app security risk reduction.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Medical Device Cybersecurity
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates mobile medical apps and medical devices, including“device software functions” such as mobile platforms operating as “Software as a Medical Device” (SaMD) and “Software in a Medical Device” (SiMD). These regulations require developers and manufacturers to provide reasonable assurance that their devices and mobile applications are cybersecure.
The FDA guidelines also mandate that manufacturers address post-market vulnerabilities and provide a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) that includes the software level of support provided through monitoring and maintenance from the software component manufacturer and the software component’s end-of-support-date.
NowSecure introduced the world’s first Dynamic SBOM for Mobile Apps, offering assistance to development and security teams alike in cataloging the components of any mobile application. Using NowSecure Platform to analyze a mobile app will generate an SBOM which teams can use to swiftly discern the libraries and frameworks integrated within the mobile app, pinpoint outdated versions of libraries and frameworks, recognize components that persist despite previous removal requirements, uncover potential license violations, and gain insights into data destinations, including unauthorized APIs and geolocations.
CISA Secure Software Development Attestation
Continuing along the lines of verifying the use of secure application components, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently instituted a Secure Software Development Attestation requirement. Produced as a followup to Executive Order (EO) 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” the secure software development attestation form outlines the federal cybersecurity strategy to reduce software supply-chain risks.
All companies that develop mobile applications used by the U.S. government must meet the CISA deadline of June 8th, 2024 (for critical software) or Sept. 8th, 2024 (for commercial software) to complete the form attesting that they follow standard secure development practices. Failure to do so will result in the immediate halt of the government’s utilization of the respective application software. Furthermore, the attestation form will be required for every version of the application released.
Automating the process is the most practical approach for apps undergoing frequent updates to comply with the standards outlined by CISA and OMB. NowSecure Platform continuous automated mobile application security testing enables software makers to proactively identify and resolve security and privacy vulnerabilities in real time. This approach also extends to uncovering potential security flaws within the application’s third-party components.
Whether you’re a CISO, AppSec executive or global risk & compliance leader, staying informed about the emerging regulatory compliance requirements to protect your organization against mobile application security and privacy risks is vital.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission Enforcement
Agencies have also demonstrated a parallel emphasis on privacy regulations for mobile apps. For example, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has increasingly enforced protection across mobile applications (see our mobile app privacy and compliance infographic for some examples).
The FTC takes legal action against companies that violate privacy regulations related to mobile app users’ data, such as prohibiting the sharing and selling of location data without consent. Cracking down against mobile app privacy violations emphasizes the importance of safeguarding consumers’ personal information. Recent crackdowns on companies like Chegg, Drizly, and Uber underscore the financial repercussions of lax security measures, highlighting the need for the strict adherence to privacy regulations.
NowSecure offers comprehensive automated mobile application security and privacy testing and secure coding training, enabling developers to proactively identify and remediate security and privacy vulnerabilities. By adopting secure-by-design mobile app development principles and leveraging NowSecure Platform and App Defense Alliance (ADA) Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) validation, organizations can ensure compliance with regulatory standards and app store requirements, protect brand reputation and maintain consumer trust.
E.U. Digital Markets Act
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective in March 2024, aims to create fairer digital markets by regulating tech giants like Apple, Google and Amazon, often referred to as “gatekeepers.” One significant change is the requirement for these companies to support third-party app marketplaces, allowing users to download apps from outside the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
While this promotes competition and user choice, it also introduces new security risks because malicious and insecure mobile apps can proliferate more easily. For app developers, this means a heightened focus on mobile application security is crucial. NowSecure can help mitigate these risks with automated mobile application security testing integrated into the development pipeline to identify and address security and privacy risks prior to release. Additionally, NowSecure mobile app risk intelligence can help organizations evaluate the safety of apps in their mobile app ecosystem, guarding against potential threats from new app distribution channels.
Maintaining Mobile App Regulatory Compliance
As the mobile ecosystem evolves, so do the regulations aimed at protecting users and maintaining secure digital environments. The regulatory measures discussed emphasize the critical need for robust mobile application security. Organizations must stay vigilant and proactive in addressing these emerging threats to meet compliance requirements.
By leveraging advanced tools and expertise offered by NowSecure, stakeholders can ensure compliance, enhance security measures and foster a safer mobile landscape. As we navigate through this complex digital world, prioritizing mobile security and privacy remains paramount to sustaining trust and innovation.
