Security software company Symantec unveiled tools to enable developers to embed security and management features into apps – without the need to change the source code.

Among the options open to developers are encryption, authentication, data loss prevention policies, app distribution and revocation.

The company noted that IT organisations using its Symantec App Center technology can “confidently deploy these apps across both iOS and Android platforms with the same level of management, protection and trust as in-house apps using the same technology”.

Developers joining the App Center Ready Program will be able to address enterprise concerns about app security, as well as increasing their visibility through inclusion in the App Center Ready catalogue.

Symantec said that its App Center Ready libraries can be used for web, HTML5 or native apps, with third party tools such as PhoneGap and Appcelerator Titanium also supported.

The libraries can be used for apps written using iOS 4 or later and Android 2.2 or later.