Mobile app security grabs feds’ attention

Recognizing the increased use of mobile apps at businesses, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a U.S. government agency, has come forward with recommendations on vetting security of these applications with steps ranging from risk management to testing.

In the January report, NIST notes how mobile apps can provide “unprecedented” connectivity between employees, customers, and vendors. The apps also offer unrestricted mobility, as well as improved functionality and real-time information sharing.

At the same time, NIST points out concerns. “Despite the benefits of mobile apps, however, the use of apps can potentially lead to serious security issues. This is so because, like traditional enterprise applications, apps may contain software vulnerabilities that are susceptible to attack,” the report says. “Such vulnerabilities may be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s information technology resources or the user’s personal data.”

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