Security should be at the top of the priority list for any web or mobile application. This is especially true for custom applications and any app that may require the handling of sensitive or proprietary data. Making security a priority from the beginning means including security considerations in each stage of the development process. Thinking ahead about app security can save a lot of time, money, and headaches later in the process.
Here are 10 practical tips for incorporating more security into your custom app.
Tip 1: Authenticate Everyone and Everything
The first line of defense is always authentication. You want to make sure that only users who have been given permission to access your app are allowed to enter the front door. You might also restrict what they do after they get in, but this initial gatekeeper will keep a large percentage of unwanted access at bay. Also consider using multi-factor authentication or even biometrics for mobile apps. It’s becoming more common to be able to use MFA and biometrics with desktop apps, websites, etc. as well.
Tip 2: Encrypt Everything All the Time
If your application is a web application, you can encrypt the traffic to and from it. You can also encrypt traffic between web and application servers to your database servers. You’ll definitely need encryption inside your databases if you are storing sensitive information, such as SSNs, passwords, or other types of information that might be protected by regulations like FERPA and HIPAA.
Tip 3: Adopt a Least Privileged Philosophy
Every user account should be given the least amount of authority to execute only necessary functions. Of course, you will need admin users, but they should be heavily guarded and created sparingly. Not everyone in the organization should be an admin. Most users should only require a minimal amount of authority for their roles.
Tip 4: Utilize Role-Based Personas and Permissions
Role-based permissions are a great way to easily assign permissions for a group of people who perform similar duties and require similar levels of access. Not only does this make it easier to assign users permissions, but it also makes it easier to change the authority whole groups of users might need.
Tip 5: Customers and End User Considerations
If you have multiple customers currently using the software, it is a good idea to put these customers in different containers, such as tenants. Then, you can identify the users with a tenant identifier to determine what data they can see and keep different customers’ data separate.
Tip 6: Multi-factor Authentication
This technology has become commonplace in the last few years. It’s a great way to secure logins because the user must pass multiple levels of authentication, and it requires a response from a device that is uniquely tied to the user.
Tip 7: Deploy Data Input Validations
Validating the data being input through the user interface ensures that no one is sending anything to your application except what is required. Some examples include email addresses, phone numbers, and zip codes. Enforcing strict data types, such as only being able to input numbers or characters in the appropriate fields, is important. Validating file uploads is critical. It’s always good practice to check their file size, type, and extension at a minimum to make sure malicious users aren’t trying to inject something harmful into your application.
Tip 8: Log Like There’s No Tomorrow
Log the beginning and end of every data transaction and error. This will be an immense help if something goes wrong and you need to put on your detective cap to figure out what happened. You will know when the problem started and be able to troubleshoot more effectively if you know what happened around the time the problem began to affect the software.
Tip 9: Use HTTPS for Everything
This tip is specific to web apps, as HTTPS is an Internet protocol. HTTPS encrypts all communications between your application and the end users’ browser using a signed certificate. It will prevent hackers from exploiting your data if they hijack it during the transmission between the browser and the server and vice versa.
Tip 10: Be Mindful of Your Dependencies
Most custom software uses some type of third-party software to perform some internal function. Third-party tools make development faster and more efficient in most cases. However, you must be diligent and keep them up to date or replace them if they stop being updated by the vendor. This will prevent back door access and security deficiencies that could impact your application through no fault of your own.
Reminder: Perform Routine Security Audits
Make sure your software developers and staff are well-versed in and current on security measures. Consider enlisting the help of a cybersecurity software company to perform regular audits to quickly identify possible security threats. They can routinely check your software for new threats as they arise and quickly deploy fixes or communicate with developers about how to block attacks and close holes in your security plan.
Hire a Project Partner, Not a Vendor
Investing in a custom software solution can be intimidating, and security can be one of the most nerve-racking aspects depending on your business. Prominent’s Solution Roadmapping takes the guessing out of the equation with expert needs analysis and a solid product plan to help your business deeply understand what needs to be achieved and the best approach. This ensures that your solution truly supports your business’s unique goals, values, timeline, budget, and needs.
Prominent will never recommend unnecessary work just to make a sale. We consider ourselves equal partners in your business’s success, which means finding the best solution for every situation – even if that turns out to be a service we don’t offer. As our CEO Alan Peltz puts it, “We’d rather have your trust than your business.” Our deeply engrained core values, such as truth and stewardship, explain why so many clients come back to us for project after project over the years.
Call, click, or email us to talk through your unique needs for some expert guidance!
