How often should you conduct a mobile app security audit?

1 The type of app

Different types of apps have different levels of risk and complexity. For example, a gaming app may not store or process as much sensitive data as a banking app, but it may have more features and integrations that could introduce vulnerabilities. A general rule of thumb is that the more critical or complex your app is, the more frequently you should audit it. You may also need to follow specific industry standards or regulations that require periodic audits, such as PCI DSS for payment apps or HIPAA for health apps.

2 The development stage

Another factor to consider is the stage of your app's development cycle. Ideally, you should audit your app at every major milestone, such as before launching, after updating, or after fixing bugs. This way, you can identify and resolve any security issues before they affect your users or your business. You should also audit your app whenever you make significant changes to its code, design, or functionality, such as adding new features, integrating new APIs, or switching to a different platform.

3 The threat landscape

The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with new attacks, vulnerabilities, and exploits emerging every day. You can't afford to rely on outdated or ineffective security measures, especially if your app handles sensitive or valuable data. You should monitor the latest trends and developments in mobile app security, and conduct audits whenever you detect or suspect a new or increased threat to your app. You should also use tools and techniques that can help you detect and prevent attacks in real time, such as penetration testing, code analysis, or encryption.

4 The user feedback

Finally, you should pay attention to the feedback from your users, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of your app's security. Your users may report or experience issues or incidents that indicate a security breach or vulnerability, such as data loss, unauthorized access, or malware infection. You should take these reports seriously and conduct an audit as soon as possible to investigate and resolve the problem. You should also collect and analyze user feedback on your app's performance, usability, and reliability, and use it to improve your app's security and quality.

Mobile app security audits are essential for ensuring your app's safety and success. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should conduct them. You should consider various factors, such as the type, stage, threat, and feedback of your app, and tailor your audit frequency accordingly. You should also adopt a proactive and continuous approach to mobile app security, and use best practices and tools to protect your app and your users from cyberattacks.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?