Why Is Mobile Application Security Testing Critical in 2030?

According to the report by Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global Mobile Application Security Testing Market size is predicted to reach USD 20.62 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 26% from 2025 to 2030.

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Mobile applications are indispensable in daily life, yet their security remains a critical concern. At the RSAC 2025 Conference, NowSecure Co-founder Andrew Hoog presented findings from 525,600 assessments conducted between January 2022 and February 2025, revealing that over 75% of apps from official Apple and Google Play stores exhibited significant security flaws. These results underscore the urgent need for rigorous security testing to protect users and organizations.

What Are the Top Mobile App Security Risks?

Based on the NowSecure assessments, five prevalent security issues were identified, evaluated against the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS). Below is a detailed analysis of these risks, supported by 2025 data.

• Insufficient Resilience Against Static Analysis: Approximately 73% of apps contained debug symbols, 87% had API discovery issues, and 68% exposed hardcoded URLs. These vulnerabilities make apps susceptible to reverse engineering, allowing attackers to manipulate code.
• Outdated Encryption Methods: Over 60% of apps used insecure or outdated cryptography, with 33% reusing initialization vectors and 20% employing hardcoded static values, compromising data security.
• Vulnerable Third-Party SDKs: Around 84% of apps had potential weaknesses due to untested third-party software development kits (SDKs), with 15% containing components with known vulnerabilities. Notably, 13% of apps included an outdated version of libpng, exacerbating risks.
• Security Misconfigurations: Nearly 20% of apps had hardcoded cryptographic keys, increasing the risk of sensitive data leaks. Misconfigured broadcast receivers also violated OWASP MASVS-PLATFORM-1, exposing apps to unauthorized access.
• User Privacy Violations: Over 75% of iOS apps lacked purpose strings for accessing protected resources like location, violating Apple’s requirements. Additionally, 40% stored sensitive data in HTTP cache databases, and 10% insecurely transmitted device identifiers, risking exposure of personal information.

Summary: These risks highlight systemic issues in mobile app development, with privacy violations and misconfigurations being particularly widespread. Regular testing against OWASP MASVS is essential to address these vulnerabilities.

Key Points:

• Over 75% of apps fail privacy and resilience standards.
• Outdated encryption and untested SDKs are common vulnerabilities.
• Misconfigurations, like hardcoded keys, pose significant risks.

How Can Organizations Test Mobile Apps Effectively?

Effective security testing requires a structured approach, as demonstrated by initiatives like Estonia’s state IT authority, which launched the secure Eesti.ee mobile app in 2024. Below are key strategies for robust testing.

• Inventory and Categorize Apps: Organizations should catalog all apps and assess them by risk level based on the sensitivity of data handled. Tools like export-intune-apps, open-sourced by Andrew Hoog, streamline this process.
• Leverage OWASP MASVS: Adopted by NIST and Google Android, this standard provides a comprehensive framework for testing app resilience, cryptography, and privacy.
• Use Automated Tools: Open-source tools like MobSF offer detailed insights into app vulnerabilities through static and dynamic analysis.
• Regular Testing Workflow: Continuous testing is crucial as apps receive updates. Estonia’s rigorous testing for the Eesti.ee app ensured compliance with security standards before its 2024 launch.

Infographic Suggestion: A flowchart illustrating the testing process—inventory, risk categorization, OWASP MASVS assessment, and continuous testing—would help visualize these steps.

Summary: Combining app inventory management, OWASP MASVS, automated tools, and continuous testing enhances mobile app security. Estonia’s approach with the Eesti.ee app exemplifies effective practices.

Key Points:

• Catalog and categorize apps by risk level.
• Use OWASP MASVS and tools like MobSF for comprehensive testing.
• Implement continuous testing to address app updates.

Why Is User Privacy a Growing Concern?

User privacy is increasingly critical as apps collect extensive data, often for monetization. The NowSecure findings revealed that 75% of iOS apps failed to include purpose strings for accessing protected resources, violating Apple’s requirements and potentially breaching regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Additionally, 40% of apps stored sensitive data insecurely in HTTP cache databases, and 10% transmitted device identifiers unsafely, risking exposure of personal information. Estonia’s Eesti.ee app, launched in 2024, prioritized user data protection, setting a benchmark for privacy-conscious development.

Summary: Privacy violations are widespread, carrying significant regulatory and reputational risks. Adopting secure data handling practices, as demonstrated by Estonia’s app, is essential.

Key Points:

• 75% of iOS apps lack purpose strings, risking GDPR/CCPA violations.
• Insecure data storage and transmission increase privacy risks.
• Estonia’s Eesti.ee app showcases privacy-focused development.

What Are the Next Steps for Securing Mobile Apps?

To mitigate mobile app vulnerabilities, organizations should adopt proactive measures. Below are actionable steps to enhance security.

• Conduct Regular Security Audits: Schedule periodic assessments using OWASP MASVS to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography: Prepare for future threats by implementing advanced encryption methods.
• Vet Third-Party SDKs: Thoroughly test SDKs for vulnerabilities, focusing on transitive dependencies to prevent supply chain risks.

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• Enhance Privacy Practices: Ensure compliance with Apple’s purpose string requirements and secure device identifier handling to protect user data.
• Use Open-Source Tools: Leverage tools like export-intune-apps and MobSF for efficient app inventory and security analysis.

Summary: Implementing these steps will reduce mobile app risks, ensuring user trust and regulatory compliance.