OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) is a project that was started by OWASP to standardize and verify the security posture of mobile applications. MASVS uses an open, extensible framework to allow organizations to audit existing or new app deployments quickly and without requiring any changes at the application level. A key aspect of MASVS is that it can be implemented as a web service so that enterprises do not need to install any extra software on their systems and maintain it themselves.
An Open Source Standard
MASVS is an open-source project and a part of the OASIS Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). It has been released under Apache License 2.0. This means that it is free of charge to use, modify, and distribute. OWASP is a nonprofit organization that works to provide solutions for common web application security issues. MASVS is an extension of the OWASP Mobile Guide and the standardization it brings will provide a more accurate assessment of mobile app security.
Extensible Framework For Mobile App Verification
MASVS allows organizations to audit existing or new app deployments quickly and without requiring any changes at the application level. It does this by allowing them to implement MASVS as a web service and then use that to perform the analysis. This framework can be used for both native mobile apps and web apps, although it has not been tested with web apps yet.
MASVS And OWASP MAMSE Are Not Similar
OWASP Mobile Application Verification Standard (MAMSE) is a tool to verify the security posture of mobile applications. It does this by using predefined rules that can be checked against an app’s implementation. These rules are similar to those in MASVS, with the exception that they were created by different people and projects. This is why both tools have been developed separately to ensure that they work in a similar manner possible.
Includes Native And Web Apps
MASVS can be implemented for both native mobile apps and web apps, although it has only been tested with native apps so far. MASVS is built upon the OWASP Mobile App Verification Platform (MVP) 2.0 which is a cross-platform framework built in .NET that provides all the APIs needed to create a trustable mobile app verification process. It consists of various modules that can be used to search, retrieve and validate data from various sources such as:
Provides A Web Service To Perform App Verification
MASVS uses an open, extensible framework to allow organizations to audit existing or new app deployments quickly and without requiring any changes at the application level. MASVS can be used as a web service so that enterprises do not need to install any extra software on their system and maintain it themselves.
Uses A Test Driven Development Approach
This approach is used by organizations to develop software applications or systems based on a set of predefined tests that are written before the development of the actual software. It helps developers ensure that the systems have been developed following accepted best practices and industry standards.
Already Has A Wide Base Of Organizations Implementing It
MASVS has been in use for several years now. Over 200 organizations in 30 countries have adopted it for their mobile app security assessment efforts according to the MASVS homepage. Many of the organizations that are using MASVS are the same ones that adopted OWASP Mobile Guide and OWASP MAMSE. This shows that companies have taken notice of OWASP Mobile Security, which is excellent news as this means that they trust the standardization process.
Developed In A Manner That Is Easy To Understand
The standard was drafted in a manner that is easy to understand and uses language that technical users can comprehend. This makes it easier for organizations to put MASVS into use without the need for them to change their processes. This standard does not use the “common language” approach which is why companies have no problems using it for their purposes.
Based On A Trustable Process
The MASVS standardization process has been verified by several security companies and individuals to ensure it is not “vulnerable to errors.” It has also been reviewed by many users. This ensures that the standard is acceptable in the security industry and can be used for tools, training and other processes.
Offers An Identifier Mechanism
MASVS has an identifier mechanism to allow organizations to identify the results that they have obtained in their testing. The identifiers are defined in the standard and are unique across all organizations. This ensures that organizations can globally use MASVS as they can trust that they will be using common mechanisms. MASVS also allows organizations to define their identifiers which means that it can be used locally as well
An Extensible Standard
MASVS allows organizations to audit existing or new app deployments quickly and without requiring any changes at the application level. It does this by allowing them to implement MASVS as a web service and then use that to perform the analysis. This framework can be used for both native mobile apps and web apps, although it has not been tested with web apps yet.
An Industry Standard
MASVS is an extension of the OWASP Mobile Guide and the standardization it brings will provide a more accurate assessment of mobile app security. MASVS has been designed in a way that is easy to understand. It has also been reviewed by various experts and users who have ensured it is accurately drafted.
Accredited By The ISSA
This certification ensures that organizations are following a procedure that is proven to be effective. Organizations that have applied for this certification have also stated that it was no easy process and they believe it will help them in their mobile app security assessments as they are confident in the accuracy of the results.
Been Field Tested To Ensure Consistency
Field testing is a process used by organizations to ensure that the security of their products is consistent. This is done by having them test their systems in a real-world environment. This ensures that the organization in question can use MASVS with confidence as they have seen the effectiveness of the standard in practice.
Repository For Mobile Security Standards
MASVS is an extension of the Mobile Guide and it is also a repository for mobile app security standards. This means that organizations can implement the standard and not have to spend time creating their proprietary tools from scratch. The OWASP Mobile Verification Platform (MAVP) is the framework to use and this is built in .NET which makes it easy for organizations to use. Organizations can then integrate these tools into their security assessment processes quickly and without having to spend time on design and development.
Industry Standard
MASVS is based on the OWASP Mobile Security project and the standards that this standard has been built upon. MASVS was created to help organizations verify their mobile applications, which will ensure that their security is adequate. The standard was drafted in a manner that enables organizations to trust it as they do not have to change their processes to use it.
Portable Standard
The standard can be implemented as a web service, which means it is easy to use when evaluating an application’s security and not necessitating any change at the application level. This makes it easier for organizations to implement MASVS in their security assessment processes. Additionally, the standard was drafted in a manner that focuses on best practices which should help organizations improve their application’s overall security status.
Conclusion
The standardization of OWASP ASVS Mobile Security will have a positive effect on organizations as it demonstrates that the project is trustworthy. The MASVS process has been confirmed through security experts and by those who use it for their benefit. Many organizations are using MASVS which is another indication that the standard will be effective in practice.
