How do you secure your code from third-party risks?

Here are some ways to reduce the risk from third party 1. Maintained the proper inventory of all the third party components and services like libraries, framework, APIs etc.. using SBOM 2. Keep monitoring your third party components and services for any known vulnerability aka SCA 3. always download the third party components from the official and trusted source 4. Verify the integrity of third party components using digital signature before adding that component in the source code 5. Keep monitor third party components to get the constant update on EoL or outdated 6. Conduct malware scanning before adding third party components in the source code Dependency track, cdxgen, Dependency check, clamav etc are some tool that can help

To keep your code safe from third-party risks, you need to take a multifaceted approach. Start by thoroughly researching any third-party components you plan to integrate and make sure they come from a reputable source. Keep your third-party libraries up to date by installing security patches regularly. Use tools like Snyk or Dependabot to scan for vulnerabilities in dependencies. Only give third-party components the minimum permissions required for functionality. Finally, use sandboxing or containerization techniques to isolate third-party components and prevent any potential malicious actions from spreading throughout the system.

Use known and trusted sources: There are a number of well-known and trusted sources for third-party dependencies, such as the official websites of the software vendors, package managers, and code repositories. Check the reviews and ratings: Before you download a third-party dependency, check the reviews and ratings to see what other users have said about it. This can help you to identify dependencies that are known to be secure and reliable. Read the documentation: Make sure to read the documentation for the third-party dependency to understand how it works and what security risks it may pose. Check the licenses: Make sure the third-party dependency is licensed under a permissive license that allows you to use it in your own code.

In the realm of cybersecurity, complacency can be costly. Tools like Snyk or Dependency-Check are invaluable, but they're only as effective as their last update. Set automated reminders or integrations to ensure you're constantly aware of new vulnerability databases or threat vectors. Remember, vulnerabilities can emerge overnight, and the difference between being exposed or not is the frequency and diligence of these checks.

Streamlining the dependency update process is critical. If updates are infrequent and error-prone, when that critical vulnerability arrives, developers will have a much more difficult task ahead that will likely make hitting a tight remediation SLA more challenging. However, if dependency updates are performed routinely, with a smaller delta in code changes between updates, remediation can be performed far more quickly. This mirrors what we know about first-party code deployment patterns too. Successfully implementing a strategy of rapid update frequency requires investment in test automation. Tests must sufficiently cover usage of the dependencies in question so that an incompatible change is easily detected.

In a DevOps era dominated by third-party software, basic Static Code Analysis falls short. The overlooked minefield? API runtime security testing. The obstacles are steep: 1. Inadequate documentation 2. Lack of automated authentication 3. Data input complexity 4. Crafting full-spectrum attack scenarios Securing in-house APIs is tough; the risks multiply with third-party integrations. Omitting rigorous testing is akin to leaving your backdoor ajar in a risky environment. The stakes are high; the urgency, is paramount. So, you gotta have visibility into all third-party code, APIs and automate the runtime security testing of all third-party APIs in your environment.

Technology is just one part of the equation; the human element is equally significant. A well-trained team is the first line of defense against potential threats. Continuous education is essential, not just as a preventive measure but as a proactive strategy. Keeping abreast of the latest vulnerabilities, techniques, and countermeasures ensures that the team is always a step ahead.

A multi-layered defense strategy, often termed "Defense in Depth," has proven time and again to be the most effective. Think of it as the layers of an onion; even if one is peeled away, many remain. Besides the mentioned strategies, consider incorporating threat intelligence platforms, establishing a dedicated incident response team, and participating in community-driven security forums to share and gain knowledge. After all, in cybersecurity, collective defense is the best offense.