The OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG) and the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) are two vital resources that have been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of mobile app security. Developed by cybersecurity experts, the MASTG is an elaborate manual that describes the technicalities for meeting the security requirements listed in the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS).

Your mobile apps are your business's face to the world. As an app creator or business owner, credibility is everything, and security is the cornerstone upon which it stands. Now, with the digital ecosystem being highly susceptible to breaches, even a single slip in security can shatter the trust your users have in your brand, tarnishing the hard-earned credibility of your business. This is why mobile app security is key to your business’s growth.

According to Vanta’s State of Trust Report, 54% of businesses say that regulating AI would make them more comfortable investing in it. But with regulation still in flux, how can companies adopt AI safely and responsibly to minimize risk while accelerating innovation?

In 2022, Twitter suffered a massive data breach, which exposed the personal data of 5.4 million caused by broken authentication. Threat actors exploited Twitter's API vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to users' sensitive personal data. The incident resulted in reputational loss and hefty fines from the regulatory body for failing to protect users' data. This shows that no organization, regardless of size, is immune to data breaches.

In my previous blog post, we saw how the growth of generative AI and Large Language Models has created a new set of challenges and threats to cybersecurity. However, it’s not just new issues that we need to be concerned about. The scope and capabilities of this technology and the volume of the components that it handles can exacerbate existing cybersecurity challenges. That’s because LLMs are deployed globally, and their impact is widespread.

In 2017, Equifax, a major American credit bureau, became a cautionary tale in the importance of robust cybersecurity practices. It overlooked critical vulnerabilities in its systems, failing to address a known security flaw in its Apache Struts web app framework. This oversight resulted in the data leak of 143 million customers, costing Equifax $1.38 billion in making breach compensations and upgrading its IT systems.

While working towards a mission of building better, more secure mobile applications, the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) has spearheaded this effort with the Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) and the Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG). These invaluable resources provide a comprehensive framework for safeguarding your mobile apps, ensuring trust, and protecting user data.

Could you imagine our interstate highway system without roadway bridges? I don’t think anyone would argue that bridges are not an essential part of an effective ground transportation network. So it doesn’t surprise me that when I ask people what makes a highway bridge “good,” I get quick responses with pretty consistent answers: guardrails, proper lighting, clear signage, smooth driving surface, lane markings, load capacity, structural integrity, and so on.

As we keep a close eye on trends impacting businesses this year, it is impossible to ignore the impacts of Artificial Intelligence and its evolving relationship with technology. One of the key areas experiencing this transformational change is cybersecurity. The integration of AI with cybersecurity practices is imperative, and it also demands a shift in how businesses approach their defenses.