The 7 Mistakes That No Application Developer Can Make

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The 7 Mistakes All Application Developers Need to Avoid

Before getting to specific mistakes, it’s important to understand the root cause of most issues we encounter. Technology has become so complex that to understand and teach it, educational institutions have created information silos.  Unfortunately, they are a handy mechanism within a company to be able to manage technology. However, information silos conflict with your goal of optimal performance; balancing out performance, durability, and cost.

We’ve seen and witnessed the result of information silos; poor performance, department finger pointing, spiraling costs and/or unhappy clients. This usually has a major impact on a company’s and your application’s reputation.

Here are 7 specific mistakes we encounter all too often:

  1. Suboptimal Resource Allocation: Without a clear understanding of the application’s requirements, the deployment team might either allocate excessive resources (leading to higher costs) or insufficient resources (leading to performance issues). Both scenarios are inefficient and can adversely affect user satisfaction.
  2. Deployment Failures: A lack of coordination can lead to situations where the application might not deploy correctly or even fail to deploy at all. For instance, developers might assume a certain environment setup that the deployment team isn’t aware of.
  3. Lack of Scalability: Developers might design applications assuming certain scalability features. If the deployment team isn’t in sync, they might not provision resources in a manner that supports this scalability, potentially causing system crashes or slowdowns during high-usage periods.
  4. Ineffective Scalability Planning: (different then a lack of) Without collaborative discussions, developers might not design applications with scalability in mind, or they might make assumptions that don’t align with the deployment team’s capacity planning. For instance, a developer might assume that scaling up resources in response to increased demand is straightforward, while the deployment team knows that there are budgetary or logistical constraints. This can lead to situations where an application cannot effectively scale to meet user demand, leading to performance bottlenecks and user dissatisfaction.
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  5. Security Vulnerabilities: If developers aren’t in sync with the deployment team, certain security measures might be overlooked. For example, developers might be unaware of security policies enforced on the infrastructure, which can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities.
  6. Increased Troubleshooting Time: In the event of post-deployment issues, disjointed information and lack of prior coordination can make pinpointing problems challenging. This can lead to extended downtimes, affecting both performance and user satisfaction.
  7. Inefficient Cost Management: Without coordination, there could be unexpected costs. For instance, developers might design applications expecting them to run continuously, while the deployment team, aiming to save costs, might have scheduled resources to be available only at certain times. Such mismatches can result in application downtimes or unexpected cost overruns.

 

How to avoid the mistakes

The solution is both harder and simpler than you think.  The solution is not a device, technology, or a piece of software, it is properly calibrating the human resources available.

Programmers, Developers and Infrastructure groups have different focuses but mutually compatible goals.  The programming and developer groups always wants the applications to perform well, and the Infrastructure group always wants data to safely and easily process and work through the system.  Without trust between the groups when a problem occurs the natural reaction is to plan the other group. Click here for a solution on how to deal with this issue.

For modern, agile, and efficient IT operations, synchronization between developers and infrastructure managers is not just a good practice; it’s a necessity.

At Protected Harbor, we have been working with company’s teams to create environments that are not only stable but scalable, faster and at a reduced cost.  Contact us today!

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Designing Apps for the Multi-Platform Era

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Designing Apps for the Multi-Platform Era

The world of mobile app development is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and changing user preferences. As smartphones and tablets have become integral to our daily lives, businesses and developers continually strive to create apps that offer seamless experiences across various platforms. The multi-platform era’s emergence has brought new challenges and opportunities for designers and developers.

 

The Rise of the Multi-Platform Era

The multi-platform era has surged in mobile app development, driven by user demand for seamless experiences. Cross-platform tools like Flutter and React Native enable native app development on multiple platforms from one codebase.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer fast, responsive experiences with offline capabilities. IoT integration empowers users to control smart devices remotely.

AR and VR technologies immerse users in interactive digital environments. Adapting to this era is essential for delivering exceptional user experiences and staying competitive in the mobile app landscape.

 

The Top 4 Mobile App Development Trends

1. Cross-Platform Development Tools:
  • Flutter: Google’s open-source SDK for natively compiled apps on multiple platforms with real-time changes.
  • React Native: Facebook’s framework for building iOS and Android apps using JavaScript and React.
2. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):
  • Web and mobile app combo provides fast, responsive, and offline capabilities without app store installation.
3. Internet of Things (IoT) Integration:
  • Connect mobile apps with smart devices and wearables, enabling remote control and automation.
4. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences:
  • Immersive app experiences with digital elements (AR) or virtual environments (VR).

These trends drive innovation, improve user experiences, and shape the future of mobile app development in the multi-platform era.

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The 4 User-Centric Design Principles

User-centric design principles have become paramount. These principles focus on creating apps prioritizing users’ needs, preferences, and expectations. By putting users at the center of the design process, developers can ensure that their apps are intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable.

1. Importance of User Experience (UX) Design:
  • UX design involves understanding user behaviors, pain points, and goals to effectively create an app that addresses their needs.
  • It emphasizes the usability and accessibility of the app, ensuring that users can navigate and interact with it effortlessly.
2. Responsive Design for Different Devices:
  • With users accessing various devices, responsive design ensures that the app adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations.
  • It provides a consistent experience across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, enhancing user satisfaction and becomes a positive brand touchpoint.
3. Consistent User Interface (UI) Elements:
  • A consistent UI design with recognizable icons, buttons, and navigation patterns helps users navigate the app easily.
  • Consistency fosters familiarity, reducing the learning curve and enhancing user satisfaction.
4. Accessibility and Inclusive Design:
  • The app must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
  • Inclusive design principles accommodate diverse users, providing equal access to app features and content.

Incorporating these user-centric design principles can lead to apps that resonate with users, encourage positive interactions, build lasting relationships, delight users, and stand out in the competitive app market.

 

Future Trends in Multi-Platform Design

As the multi-platform era continues to evolve, several exciting trends are shaping the future of mobile app development. These trends are driven by technological advancements and changing user behaviors, presenting new opportunities and challenges for developers and businesses.

1. 5G Technology and its Impact on App Development:
  • The widespread adoption of 5G technology is set to revolutionize mobile app experiences.
  • With faster data speeds and reduced latency, 5G will enable real-time interactions and seamless streaming of high-quality content within apps.
  • Developers can create more immersive and data-intensive experiences, leveraging the power of 5G networks.
2. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):
  • AI and ML are increasingly fueling applications in mobile app development, enhancing personalization and user engagement.
  • Intelligent chatbots, voice assistants, and predictive algorithms will become common features in multi-platform apps.
  • AI-driven app recommendations and content curation will cater to individual user preferences, fostering loyalty and retention.
3. Voice User Interfaces (VUI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP):
  • Voice-based interactions are improving, and VUI is becoming integral to multi-platform app design.
  • NLP technology allows apps to understand and respond to natural language, making voice commands more intuitive and user-friendly.
  • Integrating VUI and NLP will enable users to interact with apps hands-free, enhancing accessibility and user convenience.
4. Enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences:
  • AR technology will continue to advance, offering more sophisticated and immersive experiences within apps.
  • Retail, gaming, and education industries will leverage AR to provide users with interactive and visually appealing content.
  • Multi-platform apps will integrate AR features seamlessly, enhancing engagement and creating unique user experiences.

As these future trends take center stage, developers must stay abreast of technological advancements and evolving user preferences. Embracing these trends will be vital to building innovative, user-centric, and competitive multi-platform apps that cater to the ever-changing needs of modern users. By embracing these trends, developers can ensure that their apps remain relevant, engaging, and impactful in the dynamic landscape of multi-platform design.

 

Protected Harbor

As the future unfolds, emerging trends such as 5G technology, AI integration, VUI, and enhanced AR experiences promise to revolutionize how users interact with apps.

Businesses can thrive by partnering with expert app development teams like Protected Harbor. Our team of skilled developers creates tailor-made apps, leveraging the latest technologies and design practices to deliver exceptional user experiences. Whether it’s building cross-platform apps, incorporating AI-driven features, or enhancing AR interactions, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation.

Let Protected Harbor be your trusted partner in realizing your app ideas. Reach out to us today and embark on a journey toward creating successful and future-proof multi-platform apps that captivate your users and drive your business forward.

Third-party Vulnerabilities: Stay Protected from Software Supply Chain Security

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Third-party Vulnerabilities: Stay Protected from Software Supply Chain Security

The global economy is becoming more interconnected, making it easier for hostile actors to carry out these assaults, which take advantage of the trust businesses and their partners have in one another. Supply chain cyber-attacks are on the rise.

In the past 12 months, 45% of respondents to the 2021 Global Security Attitude Survey by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike experienced a supply chain assault. This increased from 32% of respondents in 2018, indicating that hackers are becoming more comfortable using this sophisticated cyberattack.

Attacks on the supply chain increased by 42% in the first quarter of 2021. Surprisingly, 97% of businesses have had a supply chain breach, with 93% experiencing a direct violation due to a supply chain security weakness.

If you are well-prepared, you could be positively affected by a software breach you use or have an essential service or supplier of goods fall offline for several days due to a cyberattack.

Let’s take a closer look at software supply chain security.

 

What is a Supply Chain Attack?

A supply chain attack is a type of cyberattack in which malicious actors attack a company’s supply chain, which can be as simple as stealing money from an e-commerce site or as complex as stealing intellectual property.

In some cases, hackers wait for a company to make a purchase and then try to steal information about that transaction. In other cases, hackers might try to steal money directly from the company’s bank account.

The goal of a supply chain attack is to disrupt the flow of goods from the factory to the store shelf. This can allow attackers to take advantage of the lack of visibility into their supply chains and move more quickly than companies would otherwise be able to do on their own.

 

How Do Supply Chain Attacks Work?

Supply chain attacks are not just about stealing intellectual property like trade secrets or confidential data; they also involve stealing physical assets such as manufacturing equipment or companies.

Supply chain attacks work by taking advantage of vulnerabilities within the supply chain itself. These vulnerabilities could be in the form of human error or poor security practices for the companies involved in making and shipping products.

 

Different Forms of Supply Chain AttackThird-party Vulnerabilities & Software Supply Chain Security middle

Supply chain attacks can take many forms, including firmware, hardware, and software attacks.

 

Supply Chain Attack on Software

One compromised application or piece of software is all needed for a software supply chain assault to spread malware throughout the whole network. Attackers frequently aim for the source code of an application to introduce malicious code into a reliable program or computer system.

Supply Chain Attack on Hardware

Similar to the USB keylogger we previously stated, hardware attacks rely on actual physical objects. To maximize their impact and harm, attackers will aim for a device that travels through the entire supply chain.

Supply Chain Attack on Firmware

An attack that introduces malware into a computer’s booting code can be launched instantly. The malware starts to run as soon as a computer starts up, endangering the entire system. Attacks on firmware are swift, frequently unnoticed if you’re not looking for them, and very destructive.

 

Best Practices to Counter Supply Chain Attacks

Companies can implement various strategies to combat supply chain assaults, from fixing problems with their overall cybersecurity infrastructure to ensuring endpoints are protected against intrusion.

Attacks on the supply chain can be challenging to identify and prevent because they take advantage of organizations’ confidence in their suppliers. Fortunately, there are still methods companies may take to prevent or lessen the effects of a supply chain attack.

 

Install Backup Vendors

You run a considerably more significant chance of downtime if you sell widgets and only have one supplier for a particular component needed for that widget than if you had two vendors.

For instance, most businesses would view themselves as inoperable and unable to function without their internet. If your primary ISP goes down, having a backup provider will help prevent extended downtime.

Use a Model of Zero Trust

Businesses should request that their IT department use a zero-trust approach whenever possible. This restricts the kinds of activities carried out within a network because it presumes that no user or application should be trusted by default.

Implement Security Tools

Firewalls and antivirus software are security solutions that can only sometimes stop supply chain attacks. They might be able to let you know if an attack is happening. For instance, firewalls may be able to identify and halt significant volumes of data from leaving a network, which would indicate a breach. Still, antivirus software can identify malware, such as ransomware.

Include Third-party Threats in Your Threat Intelligence Program

Vendors, suppliers, service providers, resellers, agents, channels, joint venture partners, and intermediaries like payment processors, utilities, nonprofits, subscription services, contractors, affiliates, rating agencies, governmental organizations, and trade associations are all your supply chain.

In the supply chain, businesses and applications work together to deliver products. Security measures in software or physical form could be used to achieve this. On the other hand, more high-risk endpoints result from each additional link. Make careful to double-check all integrations and risks. After all, you cannot defend that which you do not comprehend.

Impose Stringent Shadow IT Regulations

All IT equipment that a company’s security staff has not vetted is called “shadow IT.” As a result of the recent widespread acceptance of a remote-working paradigm, many employees are setting up their home offices with their own personal IT equipment.

All IT equipment should be registered, and there should be clear rules regarding what can and cannot be linked, according to IT security agencies. To identify DDoS assaults conducted through the supply chain, all authorized devices (particularly IoT devices) should be monitored.

 

Conclusion

Although attacks on the software supply chain have increased recently, they have been around for almost a decade. Software developers must follow the best practices to safeguard their build, deployment, and delivery systems.

When protecting the software supply chain, you need to be proactive. For most organizations, security isn’t something they do but rather something they have. They’re likely not setting up or implementing the right solutions and need to address security concerns in their software supply chain. And when the issues arise and are exploited, they’re forced to deal with them later.

You require a well-organized and experienced third-party risk management staff like Protected Harbor to handle supply chain vulnerabilities. The team should frequently and early involve essential suppliers. And to secure the entire supply chain, your technology team should consider blockchain and hyper ledger technologies.

To ensure that your developers and vendors always provide certain products, the best defense is one you build yourself. To delve further into this topic or for more information about software security, contact us today!

Third-Party Cloud-Apps’ Cybersecurity Risks in 2022

Cybersecurity Risks of 3rd Party Cloud-Apps in 2022

Healthcare data breaches are at an all-time high. The Ponemon Institute found that 66% of healthcare organizations experienced a breach of patient data in the past 12 months. And due to recent software vulnerabilities and cyberattacks on healthcare companies, we predict these numbers will continue to rise. The crux of the problem is that most healthcare vendors operate as a closed system that doesn’t sync with other systems outside of their ecosystem. If a vendor is breached, it almost always leads to a data breach for its partners. As such, healthcare organizations must modify their current strategy and begin working with third-party vendors who have a vested interest in protecting their sensitive information. Doing so will help cut down on the number of breaches being reported and improve operational efficiency across the board.

3rd party cloud apps are becoming more common in enterprise software as companies look to save money and time by outsourcing their software. However, businesses need to be aware of the cybersecurity risks of using these apps. Companies can use various best practices to protect themselves from 3rd party cloud app cyber risks.

We are excited to announce our white paper- Cybersecurity Risks of 3rd Party Cloud Apps in 2022. We have done the research so that you don’t have to, the white paper discusses the top cybersecurity threats, data breach trends in 2022, and how to stay safe. Download our white paper today to learn about 3rd party cloud apps.

 

Top 3 Cybersecurity Threats

These are the worst offenders regarding security threats in the healthcare industry.

Malicious Network Traffic- According to a 2019 analysis by Verizon, 81 percent of cybersecurity problems in healthcare are caused by privilege misuse, web apps, and other issues. Even though this form of malicious network activity may not be as well-planned as a full-scale ransomware operation, its presence in the sector should raise alarm bells for healthcare providers.

Ransomware Threat-  It prevents or restricts users from accessing computer systems by locking out or corrupting the data until a ransom is paid. Usually, the only way to unlock the system is to pay the ransom, hence the name “ransomware.”

Phishing Scams- Phishing is the process of requesting sensitive information through correspondence that claims to be from a reputable source, such as a mortgage business or official government webpage. This often comprises a personal identification number, login information, and payment information.

 

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These Are the Data Breach Trends We Expect to See In 2022

  • Increased Healthcare Breach Notification Laws- The number of healthcare breach notification laws continues to grow. As such, we expect breach notification laws to become more stringent and begin to include stiff fines.
  • The Rise of Cloud-based EHRs- As organizations begin to rely on cloud-based EHRs, we expect data breaches to increase. This is because EHRs are not designed to be safe outside of the organization’s environment. Thus, if a breach does occur, it can quickly spread to other partners and vendors.
  • Increased Focus on Software Application Security Organizations that fail to prioritize application security will pay the price. We expect to see organizations place an increased focus on third-party application security and the security within their own applications. -## TOP 10 Largest Healthcare Data Breaches of Q1 2022

Largest Healthcare Data Breaches Of Q1 2022

Provider Records Affected
North Broward Hospital District 1351431
Medical Review Institute/ America 134571
Medical Healthcare Solutions 133997
Ravkoo 105000
TTEC Healthcare 86305

As we’ve outlined, healthcare companies have seen a massive increase in data breaches. This is mainly due to SaaS providers’ weak security and inability to protect their customers’ data. Download our white paper to see the complete list of healthcare data breaches in Q1 2022.

 

SaaS Security Threats in Healthcare

The simplicity, usability, and cost advantages of SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions have encouraged healthcare firms to adopt them at a never-before-seen rate. Every healthcare company, however, needs to be aware of a few risks associated with using third-party apps.

Man In the Middle Vulnerabilities: An app and the hospital backend do not directly exchange data. Data is sent back and forth between the two parties via a communication channel. Bad actors can intercept the data at any point along their transit and potentially harm the backend.

Limited Cloud Infrastructure: Because a cloud-based architecture differs from an on-premises data center, traditional security technologies and tactics are frequently unable to defend it successfully. However, nothing you can do will make your third-party software secure if the foundational elements are not correctly set up.

Lack of Regulations: The usage of health data by third-party apps is primarily up to individual businesses rather than established regulations. Cloud service providers are not regarded as business associates under HIPAA and are not covered by HIPAA. Instead, most third-party apps are covered by the FTC Act’s protections and the agency’s authority.

Data Control Issues: A 2019 National Library of Medicine (NLM) study found that 79 percent of healthcare apps resell or share data. There is no law requiring patient consent for this downstream use, which may raise privacy-related concerns.

Inadequate Due Diligence: Organizations fail to do adequate due diligence on their third-party vendors, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Ponemon Institute found that 87% of healthcare organizations fail to perform a third-party risk analysis.

How Can Healthcare Reduce the Risk of Cyber-attacks?

The best method to reduce threats is to prevent them. Often, businesses begin by collaborating with their internet service provider (ISP) and hiring a third-party security risk assessment team. The easiest method to lessen risks within your healthcare company is to follow these cybersecurity best practices: Patch management priorities, least access privilege policies, email, and traffic filtering, and many more. Download the white paper to learn more about how businesses can protect patient data.

Examine Third-party IT and Cybersecurity Practices: Audit all vendors’ third-party IT and cybersecurity practices, including software providers. If the vendors fail to meet security standards, terminate contracts and seek new vendors that meet standards.

 

Conclusion

With the increase in the adoption of SaaS and other cloud-based software solutions, a vast amount of sensitive data is now stored in the cloud and is thus made more vulnerable to data breaches. Cloud apps are prone to security breaches due to their shared hosting environments.

Cloud apps are the most likely to cause a data breach due to their very nature. Most of them are designed for ease of use, not security. And even those that are secure by design are often hosted on shared servers, making them a security risk.

Even if you use a secure cloud app, there is always a chance that the service provider itself may be hacked, and your data may end up in the wrong hands. Stay connected with us and keep reading our blogs to know about the latest updates about 3rd party cloud apps. In the meantime, you can download and read the white paper Cybersecurity Risks of 3rd Party Cloud Apps in 2022.