An Improved User Authentication Model for Mobile Application Systems: An Expert Review Verification

Abstract

Mobile application systems (mobile apps) are now being commonly installed in smart phones or mobile devices. Many of these mobile apps are dealing with sensitive or confidential information that requires good protection using strong user authentication. This study has proposed an improved user authentication model which is aimed not only to obtain strong user authentication but also to be acceptable by users. The strong user authentication is achieved using the combination of three security techniques namely multi-factoring, ciphering and watermarking techniques while the level of acceptance by users is measured using a quantitative research method. This method consists of three research instruments namely expert review, pilot study and survey. However, this paper only focuses on how the expert review is being carried out to obtain the consent whether the proposed model is valid and feasible. Questionnaires for the expert review are constructed based on the model being proposed including the techniques and targeted benefits. From the review results, a modification is required related to the number of expert reviewers to be increased. Others are just suggestions which are not critically affecting the study. With this modification being done, and justifications being made, the expert reviewers finally agree that the proposed model is valid and feasible. This means the proposed model is capable in providing strong and acceptable user authentication for mobile apps.