Mobile Application Security

Secure Your Mobile Apps Before Hackers Strike

Comprehensive iOS & Android security testing using OWASP MSTG standards. Our HyperSecure methodology identifies vulnerabilities that 91% of mobile apps contain—before attackers exploit them.

150+

Apps Tested

91%

Had Critical Flaws

6 Days

Avg Turnaround

AED 2.7M

Avg Breach Prevented

Consult Cyber Experts

⚠Insecure Data Storage Detected

🔑Hardcoded API Key Found

📡Weak SSL Implementation

✓OWASP MSTG Verified

Threat Landscape

Mobile Apps Are Prime Targets

With 5.3 billion mobile phones globally and 7 million apps available for download, cybercriminals specifically target mobile applications to access sensitive data.

76%

Insecure Data Storage

of mobile apps store sensitive data insecurely—plaintext credentials, unencrypted databases, or exposed cache files

68%

Insecure Communication

of apps fail to properly implement TLS/SSL, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception

54%

Broken Authentication

of mobile apps have authentication flaws—weak session management, credential exposure, or biometric bypass

47%

Code Tampering

of apps lack protection against reverse engineering, code injection, and runtime manipulation

38%

Injection Attacks

of apps vulnerable to SQL injection, XSS in WebViews, or command injection through input fields

62%

Insufficient Binary Protection

of apps ship without obfuscation, anti-debugging, or tamper detection—exposing business logic

HyperSecure Methodology

Comprehensive Testing Approach

Our proprietary AppSec methodology exceeds OWASP MSTG standards with end-to-end mobile app security assessment for Android, iOS, and Windows platforms.

Mobile Application Footprinting

Comprehensive reconnaissance of the mobile app including platform identification, API endpoint mapping, third-party SDK analysis, and permission assessment.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

Deep code review analyzing source code, binary analysis, hardcoded credentials, insecure configurations, and cryptographic implementations.

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Runtime analysis using tools like Frida and Objection to test runtime behavior, memory leaks, debugging exposure, and process injection vulnerabilities.

Backend API Security Testing

Comprehensive API testing including authentication bypass, authorization flaws, rate limiting, and business logic vulnerabilities in backend services.

Network Traffic Analysis

SSL/TLS implementation review, certificate pinning bypass testing, man-in-the-middle simulation, and data leakage through network channels.

Compliance & Regulatory Analysis

Validation against OWASP MASVS, Central Bank requirements, VARA guidelines, and industry-specific compliance frameworks.

Testing Capabilities

Platform-Specific Security Testing

Each platform requires specialized testing. Our experts use platform-specific tools and techniques to uncover vulnerabilities unique to iOS, Android, and backend APIs.

iOS Security Assessment

Keychain data extraction & analysis

Binary analysis & reverse engineering

App Transport Security (ATS) review

Jailbreak detection bypass testing

Objective-C/Swift runtime analysis

Touch ID/Face ID implementation review

Android Security Assessment

APK decompilation & analysis

Smali/dex code review

Content provider security testing

Root detection bypass testing

Android Keystore implementation

Fingerprint API security review

Backend API Testing

REST/GraphQL API security

OAuth 2.0/JWT implementation

Session management flaws

Rate limiting & DoS testing

IDOR & access control testing

WebSocket security analysis

Data Protection Analysis

Local storage encryption review

SQLite database security

SharedPreferences/UserDefaults audit

Cache & temp file analysis

Clipboard data exposure

Backup vulnerability testing

Authentication & Session

Biometric authentication bypass

PIN/Password strength testing

Session token management

Multi-factor authentication review

Account enumeration testing

Password reset flow analysis

Binary Protection & Anti-Tampering

Code obfuscation effectiveness

Anti-debugging measures

Integrity verification checks

Emulator/Simulator detection

Runtime application self-protection

Hooking framework detection

Security Process

Discover Weaknesses Before Hackers Do

Our systematic approach ensures comprehensive coverage of all mobile security aspects.

Step 1

Data Security

Mitigate the risk of data loss through vulnerabilities, malware, hacking, or abuse by ensuring that user data on devices is actively secured with encryption and proper storage.

Step 2

Device Protection

Detect jailbroken/rooted devices that might create threats, validate device integrity, and implement remote lock capabilities to prevent misuse.

Step 3

App Security

Binary protection, code obfuscation, tamper detection, and runtime protection to prevent reverse engineering and unauthorized modifications.

Step 4

Network Defense

Certificate pinning, TLS implementation, secure API communication, and protection against man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception.

Step 5

Secure Authentication

Multi-factor authentication, biometric security, secure session management, and protection against credential theft and session hijacking.

UAE Compliance

Regulatory Compliance for Mobile Apps

Our mobile security assessments map directly to UAE regulatory requirements.

Central Bank

Mobile banking security requirements for licensed financial institutions.

Secure mobile app development

Transaction authentication

Device binding requirements

Jailbreak/root detection

Session management controls

Data encryption at rest/transit

DFSA / ADGM

Mobile app requirements for DIFC and ADGM regulated entities.

Client data protection

Secure API communications

Access control mechanisms

Audit trail requirements

Third-party SDK security

Annual security testing

VARA

Mobile wallet and crypto app security requirements for VASPs.

Secure key management

Transaction signing security

Multi-signature support

Wallet recovery mechanisms

Anti-fraud controls

Real-time monitoring

Why ITSEC

UAE's Trusted Mobile
Security Experts

OWASP API Specialists

Certified in OWASP API Security Top 10. We go beyond automated scanning with deep manual testing.

UAE Regulatory Expertise

Central Bank, VARA, DFSA API compliance specialists. Reports accepted by UAE regulators.

Rapid Turnaround

7-day average assessment completion. Expedited 3-day testing available for urgent needs.

Proven Results

500+ APIs tested. 94% had critical vulnerabilities. AED 2.1M average breach cost prevented.

Actionable Reports

Developer-friendly remediation with PoC exploits, code samples, and compliance mapping.

Free Retesting

Complimentary verification after fixes. 60-day security advisory support included.

Recent Success Story

Real Results for UAE Clients

CLIENT

UAE Banking Mobile App

CHALLENGE

A major UAE bank needed comprehensive security testing for their mobile banking app handling millions of daily transactions before launching new features. The app required Central Bank compliance and protection against sophisticated financial fraud attacks.

SOLUTION

ITSEC conducted OWASP MSTG-compliant testing including static analysis, dynamic runtime testing, binary reverse engineering, and API security validation for both iOS and Android platforms. We tested biometric authentication, transaction signing, and device binding implementations.

RESULTS ACHIEVED

Found 31 vulnerabilities across iOS/Android platforms

Secured biometric authentication implementation

Identified hardcoded API keys in binary

Prevented potential AED 4.1M in fraud losses

Passed Central Bank security audit first time

"ITSEC's mobile security expertise is unmatched in the UAE. They found critical issues in our apps that could have led to serious financial fraud—issues our internal team and previous vendors missed."

— CISO, UAE Banking Group

Why Choose ITSEC

We deliver faster results, deeper UAE expertise, and stronger regulatory relationships than traditional security consultancies

Capability	ITSEC	Big 4 Firms	Local Startups
Platform Coverage	iOS & Android + Backend APIs	Single platform focus	Basic app scanning
OWASP MSTG Compliance	Full MASVS L1/L2 verification	Partial coverage	Not certified
Binary Analysis	Advanced reverse engineering	Not included	Basic static only
Banking App Expertise	Central Bank approved methodology	Generic methods	No financial expertise
Runtime Testing	Dynamic instrumentation (Frida/Objection)	Static analysis only	No runtime testing
UAE Compliance	Central Bank, VARA, DFSA certified	International standards only	Limited compliance

15+ Years UAE Market Leadership

Unlike Big 4 consultancies with generic security practices or startup firms with limited track records, ITSEC specializes exclusively in cybersecurity for UAE regulated sectors. Our proven methodologies have secured $2B+ in digital assets and achieved 100% regulatory compliance success across VARA, Central Bank, and DFSA audits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about API security testing in UAE

What is mobile application security testing and why is it critical for UAE businesses?

Mobile application security testing is a comprehensive assessment of iOS and Android apps to identify vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. With over 5.3 billion mobile phones globally and UAE having one of the highest smartphone penetration rates at 96%, mobile apps are prime targets for cybercriminals. For UAE financial institutions, mobile security is mandated by the Central Bank, DFSA, and VARA regulations. A breach can result in regulatory penalties, reputation damage, and financial losses averaging AED 2.7M per incident.

What is the difference between SAST and DAST for mobile apps?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) analyzes the app's source code or binary without executing it—identifying hardcoded credentials, insecure configurations, and code-level vulnerabilities. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tests the running application to find runtime vulnerabilities like authentication bypasses, memory leaks, and injection flaws. ITSEC uses both approaches combined with manual testing for comprehensive coverage—our HyperSecure methodology exceeds OWASP MSTG standards.

What compliance standards do you cover for mobile app testing in UAE?

ITSEC's mobile security testing covers: OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) L1/L2, UAE Central Bank mobile banking requirements, DFSA/ADGM mobile app security guidelines, VARA mobile wallet security requirements, PCI DSS for payment apps, and NESA compliance. Our reports are accepted by UAE regulators and include compliance mapping to help achieve certification.

How long does a mobile application security assessment take?

Timeline depends on app complexity: Essential (single platform) takes 5-7 business days, Professional (iOS + Android + APIs) takes 7-10 business days, and Enterprise (with source code review and compliance mapping) takes 10-14 business days. For urgent needs, we offer expedited testing with 3-day turnaround at additional cost. All assessments include a detailed report with remediation guidance and optional retesting after fixes.

Can you test mobile banking and cryptocurrency wallet apps?

Yes—financial apps are our specialty. We have extensive experience testing mobile banking apps for UAE banks (Central Bank approved methodology), cryptocurrency wallets and exchange apps (VARA compliant), payment gateway apps (PCI DSS certified testing), and trading and investment platforms (DFSA/ADGM requirements). Our team understands the unique security requirements for financial apps including transaction signing, secure key storage, and anti-fraud measures.

What tools and techniques do you use for mobile security testing?

Our toolkit includes: Binary analysis tools (Hopper, IDA Pro, Ghidra), Dynamic instrumentation (Frida, Objection, Xposed), Network analysis (Burp Suite, mitmproxy), iOS testing (Cycript, Needle, objection), Android testing (Drozer, apktool, jadx), and custom scripts for automation. We combine automated scanning with extensive manual testing by certified security experts—this hybrid approach catches vulnerabilities that automated tools miss.

What is OWASP MASVS and MSTG?

OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) defines security requirements for mobile apps at two levels: L1 (standard security) and L2 (defense-in-depth for sensitive apps). OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG) provides detailed testing procedures to verify MASVS compliance. ITSEC tests against both MASVS L1 and L2 requirements, providing compliance evidence for regulatory audits.

How do you test biometric authentication security?

We assess biometric implementations including Touch ID/Face ID (iOS) and Fingerprint/Face Unlock (Android) for bypass vulnerabilities. This includes testing fallback mechanisms, local authentication bypass, cryptographic key protection, and replay attacks. We verify that biometrics are properly integrated with the Keychain/Keystore and that sensitive operations require fresh biometric authentication.

Do you test the backend APIs that mobile apps communicate with?

Yes—mobile app security is incomplete without backend API testing. We assess all API endpoints the mobile app communicates with, including authentication endpoints, data APIs, push notification services, and third-party integrations. This includes testing for OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities, authorization bypasses, and business logic flaws that could be exploited through the mobile interface.

What happens after you find vulnerabilities in our mobile app?

We provide a detailed remediation report with severity ratings (CVSS), platform-specific fix guidance, and code examples. For critical vulnerabilities, we notify your team immediately. Our Professional and Enterprise packages include developer workshops covering secure mobile development practices. We also offer free retesting to verify that fixes are effective before your next app store release.

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