How the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and app shielding techniques can help you build more secure and resilient apps against evolving threats.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released an updated version of its Cybersecurity Framework, known as NIST CSF 2.0. This framework provides a comprehensive guide for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks effectively. As mobile attacks continue to increase in complexity and frequency, the importance of robust mobile application security has never been more apparent.
In this article, we will explore the key changes introduced in NIST 2.0, its impact on mobile application security, and how app shielding techniques align with the framework to provide enhanced protection for mobile apps.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) has been a vital tool to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks since its initial release in 2014. While the framework has undergone minor updates, the release of NIST 2.0 marks a significant milestone in its evolution, with the addition of the new "Govern" function to the existing five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
The Govern function emphasizes the importance of establishing and communicating cybersecurity risk management strategies, expectations, and policies throughout an organization. This ensures cybersecurity is treated as a strategic priority and integrated into the organization's overall risk management process.
Other key changes in NIST 2.0 include an expanded scope, clearer language, and a focus on emerging threats. The framework now applies to organizations of all sizes and industries, not just critical infrastructure. It has also been updated to use more straightforward, non-technical language, making it easier for stakeholders at all levels to understand and communicate cybersecurity concepts.
App shielding — a set of techniques used to protect mobile apps from various threats such as reverse engineering, tampering, and malware injection — aligns closely with the core functions of NIST 2.0. It directly contributes to the Protect function by implementing runtime protection, anti-tampering measures, and code obfuscation to safeguard mobile apps from attacks. Additionally, app shielding protects against repackaging, code injection, hooking frameworks, emulators, rooting/jailbreak attempts, and debuggers.
By monitoring runtime behavior and identifying anomalies, app shielding helps detect potential threats, aligning with the Detect function. Early threat detection enabled by app shielding facilitates faster response and mitigation, supporting the Respond function. In the event of a successful attack, app shielding helps limit the damage and aids in recovery efforts, aligning with the Recover function.
NIST 2.0 offers several key benefits for mobile app developers looking to build more secure and resilient apps:
To effectively integrate NIST 2.0 and app shielding into the mobile app development process, it’s important to understand how the framework's six core functions apply to the specific challenges of mobile app security:
The Identify function is the foundation of a strong mobile app security strategy. It involves conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities specific to your mobile app. This process should include analyzing the app's architecture, data flows, and integration points with third-party services. By thoroughly understanding the app's attack surface, developers can prioritize security efforts and allocate resources effectively.
To put this into practice:
The Protect function focuses on implementing security measures to prevent attacks and mitigate risks. In the context of mobile app security, this involves applying app shielding techniques such as runtime protection, anti-tampering measures, and code obfuscation. These techniques harden the app against reverse engineering, tampering, and malware injection, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
Integrating advanced app shielding solutions such as Promon SHIELD® for Mobile into the Protect function can provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of mobile threats. These solutions often offer multiple layers of defense, including protection at rest. This means that the app is secured against threats even when it is not actively running, such as attempts to repackage the app, perform app binding, or conduct reverse engineering.
The Detect function is critical for identifying attacks in progress and responding quickly to minimize damage. In mobile app security, this involves monitoring the app's runtime behavior and identifying anomalies that may indicate an attack.
Advanced app shielding solutions often include sophisticated threat detection capabilities, allowing developers to continuously monitor their apps for potential security issues at runtime. These solutions can detect various threats, such as code injection attempts, the presence of hooking frameworks, the use of emulators or debuggers, and even rooting or jailbreaking of the device. By providing real-time visibility into the app's execution, these tools help developers implement effective detection mechanisms and respond promptly to any identified threats.
The Respond function focuses on taking action to contain and mitigate the impact of a security incident. In the context of mobile app security, this involves having a well-defined incident response plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of an attack.
To improve your incident response capabilities:
The Recover function focuses on restoring normal operations after a security incident has been contained. In mobile app security, this involves ensuring that the app's data and functionality are restored to a known-good state. App shielding solutions can help developers recover more quickly from incidents by providing secure backup and recovery mechanisms.
To ensure a smooth recovery process:
The new Govern function in NIST 2.0 emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong cybersecurity governance framework. In the context of mobile app security, this involves defining clear policies, procedures, and accountability mechanisms for ensuring that security is integrated throughout the app development lifecycle. App shielding solutions can help developers implement effective governance mechanisms by providing visibility into the app's security posture and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
To establish a robust governance framework:
Incorporating NIST 2.0 principles into the mobile app development process is essential for ensuring a secure and resilient app. CSF 2.0 offers practical implementation examples that can be seamlessly integrated into your development lifecycle. Consider the following guidance:
Implementing app shielding in alignment with NIST 2.0 involves the following steps:
When selecting an app shielding solution to align with NIST 2.0 principles, there are several key factors to consider. First and foremost, the solution should provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of mobile threats. It should also offer multiple layers of defense, such as code obfuscation, encryption, anti-tampering measures, and runtime protection, to ensure that apps are resilient against even the most sophisticated attacks.
Another important factor to consider is the ease of integration. The app shielding solution should seamlessly integrate with your existing development tools and processes, minimizing disruption and enabling efficient implementation. It should also be compatible with the languages and frameworks you use, ensuring that it can be easily incorporated into your app development lifecycle.
Scalability and performance are also critical considerations. The app shielding solution should be able to scale with your app's growth and user base, without compromising performance or user experience. It should have minimal impact on app startup times, memory usage, and battery consumption, ensuring that your app remains responsive and user-friendly.
When evaluating app shielding solutions, it's also essential to consider the level of support and expertise provided by the vendor. Look for a solution that offers detailed documentation, training, and technical support to help you get the most out of the product. The vendor should have a proven track record of success in the mobile app security space and be committed to staying ahead of the latest threats.
One of the key trends shaping the future of mobile app security is the increasing sophistication of attacks. Attackers are constantly developing new techniques and exploiting vulnerabilities in mobile platforms and apps, making it essential for app shielding solutions to stay up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities. These solutions should provide robust protection against data breaches and unauthorized access. This includes encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit, as well as implementing secure authentication and access control mechanisms.
In addition to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, organizations should also consider the guidance provided in NIST Special Publication 800-163 Revision 1, titled 'Vetting the Security of Mobile Applications.' This publication offers a comprehensive approach to assessing the security of mobile apps, including evaluating app permissions, testing for vulnerabilities, and analyzing privacy implications.
By leveraging the app vetting process outlined in NIST SP 800-163, organizations can ensure that the mobile apps they develop or adopt meet stringent security and privacy requirements. This is particularly important in the context of enterprise mobility management and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, where personal devices are used to access sensitive corporate data.
To stay ahead of the curve and ensure mobile app security in the NIST 2.0 era, app developers should:
By following these recommendations and staying vigilant in the face of emerging threats, app developers can ensure that their apps remain secure and resilient in the NIST 2.0 era.