Mobile app developers face a constant barrage of cyber threats. Protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO standards) are crucial in today’s environment.

An app cybersecurity audit offers a structured approach to identifying readiness, potential vulnerabilities, compliance requirements, security vendor assessments, and understanding areas of improvement in the defense of your Android & iOS apps. It just may be the best first step to safeguarding your app development process. That’s why we made a 30-point checklist, shown below and available for download as an interactive PDF. Just check the boxes to mark tasks as done.

Starting with an app security audit is an important first step because it allows you to take stock of your own security awareness as well as the current security posture of your application.

Whether you’re in the process of getting compliance sign-off for your new mobile app, selecting a vendor to help you shield your app, testing an app’s protection during a proof of concept (POC), or navigating procurement hurdles for contract signing, a self-assessment like this can help by surfacing your weaknesses and your strengths early so you have time to adjust and mitigate risks to ensure that your mobile app ecosystem is secure.

The checklist

App Usage & Compliance Evaluation

  1. User Base Assessment

Evaluate the size and distribution of your app user base. Are you handling a large number of users, and do they reside in regions with high regulatory scrutiny or known for malicious activities?

  1. Platform Type

Determine if your app is primarily Android, iOS, or both. Android apps are historically more targeted by cyber threats, so additional cybersecurity measures may be required compared to iOS.

  1. OS Version Support

Are you supporting operating systems that are no longer secure? Outdated OS versions may not receive critical security updates, making them a potential vulnerability point in your app’s security framework. 

It is essential to evaluate the operating systems your app supports and consider dropping support for versions that are no longer being updated by their respective platforms (such as very old Android or iOS versions). 

Phasing out outdated OS versions helps you focus on more secure, modern platforms and reduces your app’s exposure to known vulnerabilities.

  1. Industry Compliance Review

Identify any industry-specific regulations your app must comply with, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, DORA, or NIS2. Ensure all necessary security requirements are being met.

  1. App Store Policy & Update Cadence

Verify compliance with Google Play Store and Apple App Store security policies. Regularly apply security patches for known vulnerabilities.

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App Protection & Layered Security

  1. App Shields in Place

Check whether you’ve implemented layered security for your Android & iOS apps. 

Whether using free tools or advanced layered app shielding, prioritize security measures such as code obfuscation, root and jailbreak detection, emulator detection, and anti-tampering measures.

  1. App Shielding Layer Redundancy

Ensure layered protection by combining multiple security techniques, such as cryptography, code obfuscation, and dynamic app shielding.

  1. Code Integrity Check

Have you implemented integrity checks to detect app tampering? These checks ensure that your app’s code remains unaltered after installation. 

If not, consider adding this to your app shielding strategy to strengthen protection.

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API & Server Security

  1. API Feeds and Server Connections

Assess the number of API feeds your app uses and verify if you know the exact servers your app connects to. 

Investigate whether any of these API feeds are vulnerable to hijacking, credential stuffing, or other API-specific attacks.

  1. API & Backend Security Check

Review your API security setup. Are you using token-based authentication, rate limiting, and encrypted data in transit? 

Ensure secure API calls, especially if sensitive user data is transmitted.

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Code & Dependency Analysis

  1. Supply Chain Library Dependencies

Assess risks in third-party or open-source libraries. Investigate the potential risks these libraries may pose, especially if any include open-source code. 

Are you auditing for vulnerabilities or potential malicious code embedded within them?

  1. Frameworks and Libraries Review

Audit the usage of frameworks, libraries, and SDKs for security threats. 

Are you using any known vulnerable open-source libraries that need to be updated or replaced?

  1. Hybrid Environment Compatibility

For hybrid apps, ensure that all JavaScript frameworks, like React Native, Ionic, or Cordova, are secure and compatible with the app security measures in place.

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Authentication & Permissions Management

  1. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Verify if the app offers and enforces strong authentication methods like MFA for login and transactions, especially for apps in finance, e-commerce, or healthcare.

  1. App Signing & Permissions Review

Minimize excessive permissions to reduce security risks and see to it that no excessive privileges are granted. 

Additionally, evaluate how your app signing is handled—whether it’s performed by an individual, a dedicated team, or integrated into your CI/CD pipeline.

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Real-Time Monitoring & Threat Detection

  1. Monitoring & Threat Detection

Set up monitoring for real-time threat detection and response to protect against app attacks and security breaches. 

A professional solution like Verimatrix XTD continuously scans for abnormal activity, such as unauthorized tampering, API calls, or signs of a compromised device.

  1. Threat Response – Suspending Fraudulent Devices and Users

Integrating an effective threat response system can help mitigate ongoing risks from fraudulent activities. 

One approach is to allow for the suspension of devices or users that are detected engaging in fraudulent behavior. Whether through automated detection or human review, suspending malicious users or compromised devices can prevent further exploitation of your app and safeguard your legitimate users. 

This should be a key consideration in your app security strategy, particularly in high-risk industries like fintech, e-commerce, and healthcare, where security breaches can have significant financial and reputational consequences.

  1. Scoring Engine Customization

A high-quality threat monitoring and response platform for app shielding can offer scoring engine customization, allowing you to set tolerance thresholds that can either increase threat instances during the deployment and tuning period or reduce false positives in an active system. 

These settings enable refinement of the app’s security posture rules by adjusting sensitivity based on real-world activity and system feedback. This is crucial for maintaining a balance between thorough threat detection and minimizing operational disruptions caused by false alarms.

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Secure Communication & Data Protection

  1. Secure Communication Protocols

Review your app’s usage of secure communication protocols (e.g., HTTPS, SSL/TLS). Ensure no sensitive data is sent in plaintext. Make sure you are up to encryption standards.

  1. Encryption & Data Storage Review

Check that all sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, is properly encrypted using up-to-date standards. Evaluate if data is unnecessarily stored on the device or server.

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Operational Readiness & Expertise

  1. Penetration Testing History

Check if regular penetration tests have been conducted and what issues were uncovered. Ensure any high-risk findings have been addressed.

  1. Crash Report & Log Review

Review crash reports and app logs for any hints of security issues or vulnerabilities that may have gone unnoticed.

  1. Security Expertise Gaps

Evaluate whether your team has the necessary expertise to implement and manage all aspects of app security. Are there gaps in knowledge, such as cryptography, app shielding, or API security? 

Identify areas where external expertise or specialized training may be required. Equip your team with security awareness training to recognize threats and respond effectively.

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Vendor & Deployment Considerations

  1. ISO 27001-2022, ISO 9001, and EMVCo Certifications

Check whether your company requires you to protect your apps to the highest enterprise standards. 

Work with security vendors who maintain critical certifications like ISO 27001-2022, ISO 9001, and EMVCo, ensuring they adhere to operational excellence and rigorous security practices.

  1. CI/CD Integration and Compatibility

Determine whether your development process uses Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. 

Ensure app shielding and security features can be seamlessly integrated into the CI/CD workflow, or find a security vendor that supports CI/CD environments.

  1. SIEM Integration

A robust Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system integration helps you monitor, detect, and respond to security threats in real-time. 

SIEM platforms provide a centralized view of your app’s security posture by aggregating logs, monitoring suspicious activity, and generating alerts when potential threats are detected. 

By integrating your app security with a SIEM solution, you improve visibility into anomalies, streamline incident response, and bolster your overall security framework, making it easier to handle complex security challenges as they arise. 

SIEM integration is crucial for apps dealing with sensitive user data or regulated industries that require continuous security monitoring and reporting

  1. App Protection Deployment Requirements

Evaluate your app’s protection deployment needs. Do you require on-prem tools for specific security or compliance reasons, or would a zero-code cloud-based solution suffice? 

Assess the balance between flexibility, scalability, and security when choosing between on-prem and cloud options. If deploying in a cloud-based environment, ensure that security measures for sensitive data are in place to prevent unauthorized access.

  1. Localized Support & Support Packages

Assess whether your app protection support requires localized support that aligns with your region’s specific needs as well as comprehensive support packages. 

Evaluate the availability of 24/7 or online support, dedicated account managers, open docs, or specialized assistance that can help you resolve security issues quickly and efficiently.

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Budget & Process Challenges

  1. Budget & Timeline Constraints

Assess whether budget limitations or timeline pressures have impacted the implementation of critical app security features. 

Are there any compromises made due to financial constraints or fast-tracked development schedules that could leave your app vulnerable? 

Ensure that app security isn’t being deprioritized and you have the right security tools.

  1. Pressure to "Check the Box" on Security

Assess whether there’s pressure to implement any form of app protection just to meet minimum requirements, potentially leading to the use of freemium or lower-quality security tools. 

Ensure that security measures aren’t being chosen merely to “check the box” and that the solutions in place provide comprehensive protection against real threats.

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Bringing it all together

Conducting an honest and comprehensive mobile app security audit helps you assess where you stand and where improvements may be needed. This type of review can reveal gaps in your application development process and your in-app defenses and can help guide you and your team toward selecting the right security vendor who can meet your specific needs.

Keep in mind that the cybersecurity measures you implement today will affect the trust and loyalty of your users tomorrow. Preparing a rigorous security strategy based on audit findings will simplify your procurement and legal approval processes, ensuring a smoother journey to publishing and maintaining secure mobile apps. 

By taking the time to thoroughly audit your app, you’re investing in a foundation that safeguards your app’s success for the long term.

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