Developers Eye Biometrics for Mobile App Security

Security is the top concern of developers creating apps for mobile devices and biometric authentication is viewed as the most promising current technology for improving the security and privacy of apps,  according to Evans Data’s newly released Mobile Development survey.  Biometrics authentication was selected by 36% and beat out on-device hardware encryption, selected by 25%, NFC-based authentication selected by 18%, and on-device software encryption, cited by 14%.  

The in-depth survey of developers actively creating mobile apps was conducted in July 2016 and covers a multitude of mobile development concerns, including security.  While the security technologies measured are not mutually exclusive, results show the relative level of confidence developers place on each one.

“Although biometric authentication isn’t new technology, it’s still considered the best form of authentication by mobile developers,” said Janel Garvin CEO of Evans Data. “Iris scans and facial recognition have more novelty, but fingerprint scans are easier for the user and thus appealing to the developer.”

Another noteworthy security finding was that 39% felt that the application layer is the most important line of defense in securing a mobile app, followed by 28% who think the mobile OS is most important.  However, encryption of data stored on the mobile device was the most likely security method to be supported.

The Mobile Development survey has a margin of error of 4% and is published twice a year. The recently released survey includes topics such as:  Mobile Development and Design Practices, Performance Optimization and Tuning, Targeted Platforms. Development for iOS, Development for Android, Development for Windows Mobile/10, Cross-Platform and Hybrid Development, IoT and Mobility, Monetization of Mobile apps, Cloud and Mobile, Security, Carriers and Networks, Mobile Data Storage, and more.

See the complete Table of Contents and Methodology here: Table of Contents

About Evans Data Corporation

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.

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