Mobile app development companies that are looking to remain abreast of the current and future innovations that are being made would do well to consider the Internet of Things. Now that more and more mobile app development companies are realizing the importance of the Internet of Things, they are looking to create the apps that will lead us into the future.
In their rush to create these new apps, mobile app development companies often lose sight of the fact that they are not taking the proper security precautions. Fortunately, we are here to provide further insight into the most important security tips for apps that are related to the Internet of Things.
One of the more common misconceptions when it comes to the Internet of Things is its perceived lack of security. The idea that we cannot actually use the Internet of Things because we are placing ourselves at risk continues to circulate. Thanks to the following security tips, mobile app development companies are able to hurdle these sorts of concerns once and for all!
Choosing The Right Developers
You would be stunned by the sheer number of mistakes that are made simply because the wrong mobile app development companies were chosen. Does the company have the proper level of experience in this regard or are they flying by the seat of their pants? This is a question that needs to be answered in a satisfactory manner before any further steps can be taken.
The developer should be able to walk their client through their processes and let them know exactly what to expect. Any vendor that we rely upon needs to have staff in place that have dealt with security related concerns in the past. Internet coding experience is needed and no client who is looking to create an IoT app should ever settle for less.
Know Your Platforms
Every platform is going to come with its own pros and cons. Mobile app development companies that are able to stand apart from the crowd know each of them inside and out. The platform that is chosen for the app should be as well engineered as possible. This keeps all of the most common threats and concerns from ever even having a chance to take place.
As anyone who works in these fields knows, prevention is the best medicine. By not allowing any vulnerabilities to take place, this is a great way to make sure that security problems are not happening on your watch. Choosing the right platform means choosing the right framework. This reduces the pressure that is placed on developers.
Monitor The Firmware
The firmware is especially important as far as IoT security is concerned. Mobile app development companies that are accustomed to creating Internet of Things apps for various clients must pay close attention to firmware. This is where many of the security vulnerabilities that will keep a business from achieving all of their chosen objectives are going to be found.
Trying to resolve security vulnerabilities after IoT apps have been released is a classic “well, the horse is already out of the barn so what can we really do now?” type of scenario. Monitoring firmware is one of the many ways that we can put a stop to these types of problems before they even have a chance to start.
Learn More About Physical Attacks
The Internet of Things obviously relies on inanimate objects in order to work properly. That is mobile app developers need to do everything in their power to learn more about physical attacks. These items are not always easy to secure from a physical standpoint and this is where data storage takes on an even greater level of importance than it would on a more typical basis.
For starters, do the items that are going to be relying on the app that is being created store data? If so, the developers must be aware of the necessity of encryption. Without the correct level of encryption, the devices that are going to be used will be a lot more vulnerable to physical attacks. Any storage medium that is being used must be difficult to remove as well. These steps go a long way towards securing the device in the future.
Pay Close Attention To The Components of the Software
Let it be known: the vendors who are responsible for manufacturing software components are in the process of stepping their security game up significantly. Now that they are willing to do so, it is important for mobile app development companies to form the correct alliances. There are companies who pride themselves on integrating the necessary level of security into your designs and the best developers are more than happy to rely upon them.
Developers who do not are placing themselves at a much higher level of risk. Companies that work with Intel are already enjoying these benefits. Intel has taken on a leadership role in this regard. Their Enhanced Privacy Identity software will allow developers to get the most out of their apps that are dependent on the Internet of Things.
Research The Best Practices and Standards For Security
The applications that will be created by mobile app development companies come with certain rules and regulations. These rules and regulations are often more complex than they may seem. This is where research comes into play. Don’t start the app creation without increasing your level of awareness when it comes to the rules and regulations that are going to govern this process.
Those who do place themselves in a position where they are going to make obvious and avoidable mistakes. Companies will often look to the Cloud when it is time for authentication. This is a natural instinct but this requires a developer with the ability to take a holistic look at the system. Are all of the parts going to work well off each other? When one component is altered, this will affect a number of components. Every decision that is made comes with a ripple effect.
By Harnil Oza is a CEO of Hyperlink Infosystem
