Mustafa, RHam, JunSarkar, Nurul IPetrova, K2025-11-062025-11-062025-11-05Sensors, ISSN: 1424-2818 (Print); 1424-8220 (Online), MDPI AG, (25), 1-32. doi: 10.3390/s252167661424-28181424-8220http://hdl.handle.net/10292/20065As the number of natural and man-made catastrophes has increased in recent years, there has been an increasing need for quicker and more efficient disaster response. Information from traditional sources, such as radio, television, and websites, is sometimes incomplete or delayed. While mobile applications provide a means of enhancing real-time crisis communication, a secure mobile app-based solution has not been fully explored yet. In this paper, we propose a secure and scalable cross-layer disaster management system architecture. To validate the system performance, we developed a user-centred, scalable mobile application known as the disaster emergency events application (DEAPP) for real-time disaster reporting and visualization including disaster notifications and observing the affected areas on an interactive map. The solution connects a web-based backend, cloud database, and native Android mobile app via a cross-layer architecture. Role-based access control, HTTPS connection, and verified event publication all contribute to security. Moreover, Redis caching is employed to expedite data access in emergency situations. The need to verify publicly filed reports to prevent false alarms, safeguard real-time data transfer without slowing down the system, and create an intuitive user interface for individuals in high-stress circumstances are some of the issues that the project attempts to solve. The results obtained show that a mobile system that is secure, scalable, and easy to use can enhance catastrophe awareness and facilitate quicker emergency responses. For developers, researchers, and emergency organisations looking to leverage mobile technology for disaster preparedness, the findings provide helpful insights.© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).0301 Analytical Chemistry0502 Environmental Science and Management0602 Ecology0805 Distributed Computing0906 Electrical and Electronic EngineeringAnalytical Chemistry3103 Ecology4008 Electrical engineering4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware4104 Environmental management4606 Distributed computing and systems softwaredisaster managementcross-layer architecturemobile applicationsuser-event reportinghazard visualizationsecurity implementationJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.3390/s25216766