Google’s 2019 App Defense Alliance (ADA) has joined the Joint Development Foundation (JDF), a Linux Foundation project that supports groups working on technical specifications, standards, and related initiatives. The ADA was created to fight malicious Android apps infiltrating the Play Store.
In actuality, the App Defense Alliance has already branched out into fields like malware mitigation, mobile app security assessments (MASA), and cloud app security assessments (CASA), going beyond its initial focus on Android malware detection. Additionally, it has welcomed additional members, such as Trend Micro and McAfee, despite its initial members including mobile security companies like ESET, Lookout, and Zimperium.
As a result of today’s announcement, the ADA has become an independent foundation. This step is intended to increase the organization’s attractiveness to other large tech companies, including Microsoft and Facebook parent company Meta, who have joined the ADA’s steering committee. According to a joint statement released today, the ultimate objective is to “improve app security” by encouraging better “collaborative implementation of industry standards.”
More importantly, though, security best practices apply to all platforms. So, the ADA has gradually moved away from its initial identity as an Android-specific security program and toward a more neutral home.
Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, said that “the App Defense Alliance’s move to the Joint Development Foundation reflects our dedication to open collaboration and innovation in the realm of app security.” “We seek to unlock new dimensions of performance and security for the benefit of our community by uniting technology leaders and fostering an open ecosystem of cross-platform requirements.”
