Enhancing App Security and Data Protection: No-Code Apps

The rise of mobile apps is unprecedented, with the new digital tools bringing unseen capabilities for businesses and customers across the globe. They are becoming a serious asset for companies, thus turning into indispensable work instruments. Along with their considerable advantages, however, the issue of app security is also taking a prominent spot. 

While mobile apps satisfy major market demands, they come with their fair share of data protection risks. Businesses that want to reap the benefits of using innovative apps also have to deal with issues of confidentiality and prevention of unauthorized data access.  

The introduction of no-code apps in recent years is bringing a major shift in both the way apps can be created – and how app security concerns can be addressed. Automatic app creation allows anyone in a company to build a powerful and useful app. This revolutionizes the use of digital tools for a wide variety of businesses. 

At the same time, automatic app creation can also offer a viable solution for handling app security concerns. In comparison with traditionally created ones, no-code apps provide not only a huge boost in terms of productivity but also significant data protection perks. No-code platforms like Open as App support enterprise-level security due to their inherent security architecture and tailored safety and sharing features. 

In the sections below, you can find an overview of the major data concerns in general and specifically for mobile app security. Then you can delve into the inherent security solutions that no-code apps offer. 

The major data and app security concerns today

In the digitalization process of any company, many data and app security issues arise. They are relevant irrespective of whether or not you decide to use mobile apps in your business. Some of them relate to the secure sharing of business data with external parties, while others are caused by internal security breaches by the staff. 

A major concern for most businesses is how to securely share data with partners, stakeholders, and customers. This is essential, as they have to protect the privacy of the company, as well as of the clients. For example, they have to prevent unauthorized access to confidential data, as well as to crucial business know-how. 

Thus, companies also have to take care that there is no uncontrollable data sharing with unauthorized people. This can be committed by their staff, or by other stakeholders with whom the information has been shared. It’s essential to limit access to data only to the relevant individuals, preventing further sharing. 

The sharing of open data can also be a serious threat to the digital assets of a company. Business datasets that are sent without protection measures can jeopardize the whole organization’s security. 

Companies also face specific app security risks as well. There often are security gaps in individually coded apps. These are often due to the use of diverse codes provided by the different app developers, or the lack of source code protection. Security gaps are especially dangerous when it comes to using collaboration and communication platforms. This can lead to serious data leakages that can jeopardize the functioning of a business.  

Another important task for businesses is to avoid unwanted database exports and data access by staff. Such situations often arise when an employee leaves the company or decides to misuse the available business information. 

An additional issue with how employees use digital assets can be the unauthorized installations of software on the company devices. Businesses strive to restrict this due to the risk of installing malware disguised as an app, for example. Thus, for using any new app, team members have to get the consent of the IT department or administrator.  

In the internal use of digital tools, the sharing of links and attachments via the company email can also be a security issue. Employees may not use secure links or may attach files that contain viruses or other threats. Also, phishing protection should be in place to prevent phishing attacks. 

Last but not least, the rise of remote work also raises various security issues for businesses. Remote employees pose diverse data security risks, which companies have to address. The biggest concern is to prevent a compromise to the corporate information system, which can be executed via the device of a remote worker. 

Some of the main issues with dispersed teams include the use of unsecured Wi-Fi connections, lack of antivirus software, failure to back up business data, and the use of one device for both work and leisure, among others. 

Mobile apps: advantages and disadvantages

Mobile apps have revolutionized how hundreds of thousands of companies around the globe are conducting their activities, let alone the lives of consumers. This spans both internal processes and interactions with customers and external stakeholders. 

The advantages of the new digital tools are numerous. First and foremost, with the help of apps, companies can innovate the way that employees work. Internal processes can be streamlined so that the overall productivity of a team is optimized. This can lead to direct benefits for the business in the form of higher efficiency and increased profit. 

Mobile apps support businesses in improving their relations with customers and other partners and stakeholders as well. Boosting communication is easier with the new digital tools, as they allow for easier collaboration and exchange of data. 

Apps also provide a security advantage for companies. They provide a safer way to share information, which is much better than sharing open data. Companies can better protect their know-how when it is embedded in an app. 

At the same time, mobile apps do have some disadvantages that come along with the benefits. Companies need to learn how to manage a whole new set of digital assets. This entails a serious financial investment, as well as the expert staff who can work with the tools. 

There are also potential issues with data protection and app security. Businesses need to integrate new ways to secure their internal resources, as well as the data of their customers.  

Are no-code apps secure? 

The building of no-code apps can be the right solution for addressing the need for new apps for your business. 

With a platform like Open as App, you get company-wide app security standards for app building and sharing. The apps that you create have in-built security and data protection features that protect both your business and your customers.

How automatic app creation works

The concept behind no-code apps with Open as App is simple, yet powerful. 

You can build an app from your existing business data by connecting it with the Open as App platform. You can use your Excel or Google Sheets files, or even link your database such as SQL Server. For spreadsheet files, if they are hosted online, you can simply insert their links, without having to upload them. 

Once connected, the platform extracts and analyzes your information from the source file. It automatically offers you different formats in which it can represent your data, such as list, calculation, or dashboard, among others. The choice, of course, depends on the type of data that you input and on the purpose of the app you want to build. 

You are then able to tweak the formatting and design of your app to meet your needs. When you’re ready, you can choose different sharing options, depending on the app’s purpose. You can initially publish it in private mode and later share it publicly and even on social media. 

The app security features of Open as App 

Working with Open as App to create your new work tools is not only easy but also provides a high level of app security. 

The platform has a special security architecture that ensures in-built data protection. The layout, data, and logic of an app are kept separate. When you open the app, the platform synchronizes the data from the spreadsheet or database with the so-called ‘app definition’. It contains information about the parameters of the app. This definition tells the mobile devices how the app should be visualized, as well as how it should work in conjunction with the source file. 

In essence, there are three main components to the Open as App platform. In the web-based portal, you can create and distribute apps. In the mobile Client, you can use the apps on your mobile devices. The Open as App Cloud services connect the two. You have to use the required secure authentication process to access the platform. 

The Open as App architecture allows offline access. It also permits you to update either the source file or the app, or both together. The data that you synchronize is stored on your mobile device in encrypted storage. It’s protected by your device’s credentials, as well as by the Microsoft Data Protection API (DPAPI). Additionally, your newly created apps integrate with mobile device management (MDM) systems such as MobileIron and BlackBerry Dynamics. 

Open as App allows you to work with different sources of data, depending on your internal requirements. You can save the app data in your existing cloud environment, on-premise, or in the secure Open as App cloud, respecting the established security standard of your company. You can use the platform with Excel or via REST. 

The no-code platform provides you with full control over your data, as well as over the rights for user access. It also conforms to the GDPR requirements. Also, you can set up roles for different users and establish an Approval Workflow. 

You can use a variety of data hosting platforms that you already work with together with Open as App. Some of the supported ones include Azure Cloud, OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, and Google Sheets. 

Open as App also complements popular Microsoft tools. This means you can add a no-code concept to the Microsoft Power Platform, as well as use it with other Microsoft tools such as Excel, SQL Server, and Teams. 

The publishing process of the no-code platform additionally guarantees app security. You can use gradual roll-out for different groups, as the sharing settings are fully controllable. Thus, you can start by publishing an app in private mode. Then, after testing it, you can share it in public mode. You can also publish it on different social media. 

Open as App guarantees a high level of reliability of your no-code apps. Its uptime is 99,9%. This means you don’t need to worry about your apps being unusable at any time. 

Using Open as App is not only secure but also convenient. You get set coding and documentation standards in one proven platform. This is much easier in comparison with supporting various individually coded apps. They all have to be documented and handled differently. With the no-code platform, this is done all in one place for all the apps you have created with it. 

Get started with automatic app creation 

App security is a major concern for businesses across the globe that wish to embed new digital tools in their workflows. However, this should not stop companies from reaping the numerous benefits of apps. 

No-code apps offer a working solution for data protection and app security issues. You can create functional apps without having to deal with app security threats. With automatic app creation, you can build work tools that help you ensure your company’s security standards are upheld. 

Ready to get started with no-code apps? Try out our app creation wizard and create your new secure digital tools with ease.