Security controls

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Security controls

    Security controls in ServiceNow mobile apps allow you to enforce restrictions such as limiting copy/paste functionality, requiring app PINs, blocking attachments, blurring the app when not in focus, and restricting access from rooted or jailbroken devices. These controls enhance mobile security by preventing unauthorized data access and protecting sensitive information.

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    Key Features

    • Restrict Copy/Paste: Controlled via system properties in the sysproperties table, specifically glide.sg.clearpasteboardwhenbackground, which clears the clipboard when the app goes into the background.
    • Require an App PIN: Enforces a six-digit PIN either at each sign-in or after five minutes of inactivity, controlled by the glide.sg.requiremobileapplicationpin system property.
    • Disable Attachments on Mobile: Use Access Control Lists (ACLs) with a scripted check using gs.isMobile() to block attachment read/write access on mobile devices. All related ACLs must have the Admin override option unchecked, and elevated privileges are required to create these ACLs.
    • Enable Blur App Option: Blur the mobile app UI when it is not in focus by setting glide.sg.bluruiwhenbackgrounded to true. This feature is supported on iOS and Android. On Android, it disables screen sharing and screenshots while the app is blurred; these restrictions do not apply to iOS.
    • Block Rooted and Jailbroken Devices: Prevent mobile app login from rooted or jailbroken devices by configuring the glide.sg.allowrootedjailbrokendevices property.
    • Penetration Testing: ServiceNow performs third-party penetration testing on mobile apps, usually annually, with results available to customers via CORE. Customers can also conduct their own pen tests following documented procedures.

    Key Outcomes

    • Enhanced data protection and reduced risk of data leakage on mobile devices.
    • Improved control over mobile app access, ensuring only authorized and secure devices can connect.
    • Ability to enforce strict security policies tailored to organizational compliance requirements.
    • Visibility into app security through regular penetration testing and customer testing options.

    Configure security controls to restrict copy/paste, enforce PIN, or block attachment functionality.

    Restrict copy/paste

    Copy/paste restrictions are defined in the system properties [sys_properties] table. There are two applicable security properties.

    glide.sg.clear_pasteboard_when_background: Clears the copy/paste clipboard when a ServiceNow app enters the background. For more information on clearing the clipboard, see Configure clear clipboard.

    Require an app PIN

    Require users to enter a six digit PIN each time they sign in from their mobile device, or when an app has been inactive for five minutes. Requiring an app PIN is controlled by the glide.sg.require_mobile_application_pin system property. For more information on requiring an app PIN, see Require an app PIN.

    Disabling attachments on a mobile device

    Use an ACL to block specific access on mobile. Use the isMobile method to check if a request comes from a mobile device. For example, you could add an ACL for the attachment [sys_attachment] table where the read and write scripted ACLs includes the following check. You can also add this code to any existing ACLs you have for the attachment table. If have multiple attachment ACLs, all of the need to have Admin override option unchecked.
    if( gs.isMobile() ){
     answer = false;
}
    Note:
    You need elevated privileges to create ACLs.

    Enable the blur app option

    Blur a mobile app when not in focus on a mobile device using the following system property in the system properties [sys_properties] table.

    glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded
    Important:
    • The glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded system property is supported on both iOS and Android devices.
    • By default, the value for this property is set to false, which turns it off.

    • For Android devices, when this property is enabled by setting the value to true, the following restrictions apply:

      • The screen share feature isn't supported and the shared app screen appears black.
      • Users are prevented from taking screenshots.

      These restrictions don't apply to iOS devices when the glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded property is enabled.

    For more information, see Configure the blur app option

    Block rooted and jailbroken devices

    To improve security on your mobile device, block the logging in of mobile apps when a rooted or jailbroken device is used. Use the following security property:

    glide.sg.allow_rooted_jailbroken_devices system

    For more information, see Configure the status for rooted and jailbroken devices.

    Penetration testing

    ServiceNow engages a third party to perform penetration testing of a mobile app. This typically happens annually but sometimes occurs more frequently. The results of these tests are available to customers on CORE. Customers can test the mobile application in conjunction with a pen test of their instance per the process outlined in KB0538598.