Stakeholders are pushing for user convenience over security in your app. How do you balance both effectively?

Absolutely convenience is much needed for the users as great user experience retains the customers and is important for every product. At the same time security is important as it builds trust. To combine the two, authentication methods should be added.

Balancing convenience and security in an app is a common challenge, but it can be effectively achieved by carefully considering user needs and implementing advanced technologies. Educate your users about the importance of the security measures you have implemented; clear communication about how and why certain measures are necessary can increase user acceptance and trust.

I have found that educating stakeholders with examples and scenarios about what could potentially go wrong if appropriate security measures are not taken, really helps gets them get onboard in adoption of security measures.

It depends on whether the app saves personal identifiable information, financial data, company confidential information or can produce loss to the company if leaked , then it's critical that we have strong encryption with https, oauth, stronger authentication like 2 FA, else basic authentication is enough to prevent unauthorised access and enhance user experience. However basic authentication has caveats like username and password leaks, so a balance is needed

By focusing on intuitive design, personalized experiences, continuous feedback, training and support, and regular updates, it is possible to effectively balance convenience and security. This balance is essential to ensure a great user experience and maintain customer trust and loyalty. Implementing these strategies creates a safe and user-friendly environment, meeting both user needs and data protection requirements.

I'll apply for a security assessment and based on risks and existing barriers will move to design balance. Starting by security assessment means the mindset applies security first , but trying to keep the balance. But at the same time I'll assess the risks around requirements, to see if any interesting argument will overcome other aspects ( this is often an income vs expenses concern ) The overall best strategy is to start by risk assessment and make a first decision, but continuously improve the design by following feedback and KPIs.

The agile approach to application development allows for a quick and effective response to user needs and security challenges. By integrating constant feedback, CI/CD, short sprints, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transparency, it is possible to create an application that continuously and effectively balances convenience and security. This dynamic method ensures that the application evolves along with user expectations and security threats, providing a robust and reliable experience.