Singapore survey shows growing demand for mobile app security

A recent survey conducted in Singapore has highlighted a significant demand for enhanced security measures in mobile applications.

The study, undertaken by Appdome in partnership with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), is the fourth annual survey on mobile app security in the region. It reveals that consumers in Singapore are increasingly vigilant about security, fraud, and privacy threats associated with mobile app usage.

The 2024 Singapore Consumer Survey on Mobile App Security found that a dominant 57.5% of consumers prefer using mobile applications over web platforms, with a mere 17.7% favouring the latter. This indicates a shift towards mobile usage, supported by the fact that 68.7% of participants reported an increase in their use of mobile apps over the past year. Furthermore, a substantial 70.2% use more than five apps weekly.

Security concerns remain a priority for consumers, with 97.7% of respondents insisting on comprehensive protection across various aspects of mobile applications, including data, login integrity, and protection against malware and fraud. The survey also highlighted significant concerns with fraud, malware, and social engineering scams, with 49.9% of consumers fearing mobile fraud and 40.0% concerned about on-device malware. Additionally, about 38.4% admitted to encountering cyber-attacks or mobile fraud, with similar fears extended to social engineering scams at 32.7%.

According to the survey, Singaporean consumers now expect proactive measures in fraud prevention. For the first time, 80.7% of respondents expressed the need for brands to prevent mobile fraud before it occurs, rather than providing reimbursements after incidents. This expectation underscores a growing demand for preventive security measures by mobile brands and application developers.

The study also divulged insights into consumer decisions influenced by security concerns. A decisive 85.4% of respondents indicated that app security is as important, if not more so, than the features a mobile app offers. Additionally, 87.7% stated that they assess the security claims of a brand before downloading its mobile app. This paints a picture of an increasingly security-aware consumer base.

Despite these expectations, 22.4% of consumers expressed fears that developers might not prioritise app protection. This sense of frustration could reflect on the industry's overall approach to mobile app security and adherence to standards like OWASP.

The survey indicated that consumers are willing to support brands that prioritise security, with 95.6% expressing readiness to advocate for secure mobile brands. Conversely, 69.5% indicated they would cease using brands that fail to provide adequate protection for their apps.

Tom Tovar, CEO of Appdome, commented, "Consumers in Singapore continue their march upward in recognising the importance of this work, and it's clear that they overwhelmingly support a broadening cyber, anti-fraud, anti-malware, anti-bot mandate, and higher OWASP standard, inside brand and enterprise mobile apps everywhere."

Appdome's survey gathered insights from over 120,000 consumers globally, contributing to a broad understanding of mobile app security expectations. The data reflects a strong call to action for mobile brands to enhance security measures to maintain consumer trust and engagement. Alan Bavosa, VP of Security Products at Appdome, added, "AI-based attacks will take mobile app risks to a new level, and mobile brands and enterprises need to change their cyber delivery models to meet the accelerating threat head on."