Techie Tonic: Why mobile security is now a top CISO priority — and what to do about it

In conversations with group of Chief Information Security Officers(CISO) recently in a CXO gathering, asked them about Mobile security in general, but realised that I opened a “can full of worms” as Mobile Security has become a top-tier concern in today’s digital landscape, laptops, smartphones and tablets serve as essential, data-rich tools for both personal and professional use, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

The widespread adoption of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, a large number of employees use personal devices for work, has significantly expanded the attack surface. At the same time, advanced phishing tactics such as SMS-based smishing and messaging app scams exploit smaller screens and higher user trust, while AI-powered tools enable criminals to craft hyper-personalized attacks at scale. Emerging threats like zero-click malware can compromise devices without any user interaction, and banking trojans continue to target mobile financial apps, especially on Android devices.

Additionally, SIM swapping schemes allow attackers to bypass two-factor authentication by transferring victims’ phone numbers to new SIM cards. Common vulnerabilities further compound the problem, including malicious apps that mimic legitimate software, unsecured public Wi-Fi networks vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, outdated operating systems lacking security patches, and apps that request excessive permissions, harvesting more personal data than necessary.

CISOs collectively said, hyperconnected world, mobile technology sits at the center of personal, professional, and financial life. Smartphones are no longer just communication tools; they are digital wallets, identity vaults, health monitors, productivity hubs, and gateways to enterprise systems. As reliance on mobile ecosystems grows, so do the risks. Cybercriminals increasingly target mobile applications, devices, and transactions, exploiting vulnerabilities to steal data, commit fraud, and disrupt services.

Another CISO, along with a vendor side CTO added, to counter these threats, organizations must focus on three critical goals, Mobile App Security, Mobile Device Security, and Mobile Transaction Security. Together, these pillars create a comprehensive defense framework that protects developers, businesses, and end users alike. Are there such product, service and platform ready in the market?

In that gathering, CISOs were divided in three groups to share their thoughts in Mobile App, Device and Transaction layers concerns and remedies, to see their perspectives.

First group of CISOs added, mobile app security is essential because mobile applications serve as the primary interface between businesses and their customers, handling sensitive information across industries such as banking, healthcare, e-commerce, and social networking. Vulnerabilities caused by insecure coding practices, weak encryption, poor authentication mechanisms, and exposed APIs can put both organizations, process and users at serious risk. Fast-paced development environments driven by Speed, Agility, DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines, security solutions must be scalable and ready to integrate seamlessly into the development lifecycle without slowing innovation.

Effective mobile app security should be lightweight to preserve performance, flexible across platforms like Android and iOS, automated for continuous monitoring, and adaptive to evolving threats. Key components include secure coding practices to prevent common exploits, application shielding techniques such as code obfuscation and runtime protection to stop reverse engineering (a RASP model), strong data encryption both at rest and in transit, robust API security through authenticated and rate-limited endpoints, and continuous monitoring to detect suspicious behaviours in real time. By adopting scalable, plug-and-play security modules, organizations can strengthen their defenses while enabling faster development, ultimately building user trust in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace.

Second group of CISOs added, mobile device security is critical because application-level protections alone cannot address vulnerabilities that exist on the devices themselves, which are frequent targets of malware, phishing attacks, spyware, and unauthorized access. The threat landscape has evolved significantly, with mobile malware advancing from basic adware to sophisticated spyware capable of capturing keystrokes, accessing cameras, and stealing sensitive data, while risks are further amplified by public Wi-Fi networks, malicious applications, and deceptive phishing messages.

The widespread adoption of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies in enterprises adds another layer of complexity, as employees access corporate resources from personal devices, expanding potential attack surfaces. Effective mobile device security focuses on advanced malware protection through behavioural threat detection, secure device configurations such as strong passcodes and biometric authentication, timely operating system updates and patch management, and the use of Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions to enforce security policies and remotely manage compromised devices.

Additionally, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) measures help control the movement of sensitive information, while robust privacy protections ensure transparent data handling and secure permission management. Ultimately, combining strong technology controls with proactive policies and user education creates a comprehensive defense strategy that safeguards digital identities, financial information, personal communications, and valuable corporate assets.

Third group of CISOs added, mobile transaction security is essential in an era where mobile payments and digital wallets have transformed commerce, enabling consumers to transfer funds, pay bills, shop online, and invest with just a few taps. Despite this convenience, digital transactions are highly attractive targets for cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities through phishing, account takeovers, SIM swapping, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Because financial transactions involve direct monetary value, even a single breach can erode customer trust and severely damage a brand’s reputation.

Effective mobile transaction security protects the entire payment lifecycle, from user authentication to authorization and final settlement, by implementing strong safeguards such as multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, and one-time passwords to prevent unauthorized access. Additional protections include tokenization to replace sensitive payment data with secure tokens, end-to-end encryption to prevent interception, AI-driven fraud detection systems to identify suspicious behaviour, secure SSL/TLS communication channels, and risk-based authentication that applies stricter verification to high-risk transactions.

Beyond technical controls, regulatory compliance and transparent communication about security practices further strengthen user confidence. Since mobile app security, mobile device security, and mobile transaction security are deeply interconnected, organizations must adopt a layered, defense-in-depth strategy to ensure that weaknesses in one area do not compromise the entire ecosystem, ultimately delivering comprehensive protection across development, deployment, and user interaction.

To conclude, rapid evolution of mobile technology has transformed how people live and conduct business, but it has also expanded the cyber threat landscape. Building a resilient mobile ecosystem now requires scalable app security, robust device protection, and comprehensive transaction safeguards. Security is no longer optional, but it is a competitive advantage driven by continuous innovation, proactive threat monitoring, and a strong commitment to privacy and trust. In the digital age, mobile security is not just about preventing attacks, but about enabling confidence and resilience so users feel safe and businesses can thrive.

Looking ahead, an AI safety focused approach like that championed by Anthropic kind, with its emphasis on alignment, interpretability, and reliability, signals a shift toward proactive, intelligence-driven defense rather than reactive response. As we continue conversations with solution providers and cybersecurity leaders, we see this philosophy reshaping the future of mobile app, device, and transaction security, stay tuned for more updates.