DHS Project Finds Security Vulnerabilities in First Responder Apps

DHS Project Finds Security Vulnerabilities in First Responder Apps

The DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate “Securing Mobile Applications for First Responders” report said that security flaws were discovered on 32 of the 33 popular apps tested.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Dec 20, 2017

A pilot project launched by the Department of Homeland Security has discovered critical flaws in 18 mobile apps used by public safety officials to respond to emergencies. The DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate “Securing Mobile Applications for First Responders” report said that security flaws were discovered on 32 of the 33 popular apps tested.

The department established the program in partnership with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and mobile app vetting company Kryptowire to test the cyberattacj vulnerability of apps used in the public safety sector. The Mobile Application Security project aims for continuous validation and threat protection for mobile apps and the security integration throughout the lifecycle of these apps.

For their study, participants selected 33 popular iOS and Android apps and tested each app’s security, privacy, and information and device access. Potential security and privacy concerns, such as access to the device camera, contacts or SMS messages, were discovered in 32 of the 33 apps, DHS said. “Critical flaws” were found in 18 of the apps.

Pilot project leaders worked with each app developer to fix the identified vulnerabilities in 14 mobile apps. According to DHS, most developers reported spending about one hour remedying their app’s vulnerabilities, with solutions including the removal of old or unused code, the enabling of built-in security provided by the operating system, and confirmation that the functionality requested is necessary for operations.

Project leaders stressed the usefulness of an ongoing app-testing program for the public safety community and the public at large.

“As more apps are adopted for public-safety missions, it is critical that a formal, ongoing app-evaluation process with incentives for developer participation be adopted to ensure current and new mobile apps are free of vulnerabilities,” said John Merrill, Director of the S&T FRG Next Generation First Responder Apex program.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.