Homeland Security Has New Advice For Mobile Payments, Other Mobile Apps

Anyone who’s been following the mobile payments market for any length of time likely already knows what the big problem keeping people out of this concept is: security. Sure, there are other issues like sheer inertia or a lack of perceived value, but people concerned about security are one of the biggest points holding back the flood of mobile payments. A new release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who filled us in on the release, may help.

The new release in question comes from DHS’ Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), known as the 2018 Mobile Security Research and Development (R&D) Program Guide. Within it, DHS lays out some new security goals, overall objectives, and technology projects geared toward better protection in the mobile arena.

More specifically, the guide looks to not only use mobile workforce operations to support DHS operations, but also “enable mission success through effective, efficient and secure mobile technologies.” Those interested in checking out the full program guide can do so from the S&T website directly, and the guide itself is available at no charge.

Vincent Sritapan, S&T mobile security R&D program manager, noted “…This guide will raise awareness about the program within the federal government and the private sector and create opportunities to transition these new technologies to operational use.”

It’s ultimately another reminder to all of us that we need to keep focused on security, not only the end users who need to practice better digital hygiene and password operations, but also the developers, who need to improve security not only on their end but also need to improve tools available to the end user. It’s one thing to admonish the end user to pick a “strong” (read: impossible to memorize) password, and to change it every week to an equally “strong” but completely different password, but when we’re hearing about data breaches at the corporate level, it doesn’t matter how good our passwords are.

Every side of the security issue needs to be working to protect the overall system. The Homeland Security report may not have insights for everyone, but it’s going to be helpful, even if just as a reminder.