Inventory Blindness

Gitlab published their 8th annual Global DevSecOps Report. You can find it here

This data provides valuable insights into the current state of software supply chain security.

Let's break down the key points and analyze them:

Open source dependency:

"67% of individual contributors said a quarter or more of the code they work on is from open source libraries"

This highlights the significant reliance on open source components in modern software development. While open source can accelerate development and provide robust solutions, it also introduces potential security risks if not properly managed.

SBOM adoption:

"only 21% of organizations are currently using a software bill of materials (SBOM)"

This low adoption rate of SBOMs is concerning. SBOMs are crucial for understanding and managing the components within software, including their vulnerabilities and licensing. The discrepancy between open source usage and SBOM adoption suggests many organizations lack visibility into their software supply chain. Most organizations are flying blind.

Organizational barriers:

"52% of security professionals said organizational red tape often slows their efforts to fix vulnerabilities quickly"

This points to a significant organizational challenge in addressing security issues promptly. It suggests that many companies have processes or bureaucratic structures that impede rapid response to vulnerabilities, potentially leaving systems exposed for longer periods.

Late-stage vulnerability discovery:

"55% of security professionals report that they most commonly discover vulnerabilities after code is merged into a test environment"

This statistic is particularly troubling as it indicates that many vulnerabilities are not caught early in the development process. Discovering issues this late can significantly increase the cost and time required to fix them, and may lead to delays in software releases.

Critical Observations:

• Disconnect between practice and security measures: There's a clear gap between the widespread use of open source components and the adoption of tools (like SBOMs) to manage them securely.
• Inefficient security processes: The combination of organizational red tape and late-stage vulnerability discovery suggests that many organizations have inefficient security practices that are not well-integrated into the development lifecycle.
• Potential for unaddressed vulnerabilities: The low SBOM adoption rate, coupled with late discovery of vulnerabilities, suggests that many organizations may have unidentified or unaddressed vulnerabilities in their software.
• Need for cultural and process changes: The data points to a need for organizational changes to prioritize security earlier in the development process and reduce barriers to addressing vulnerabilities quickly.

Lack of proactive security measures: The statistics suggest a reactive approach to security in many organizations, rather than a proactive stance that integrates security throughout the development process.

In conclusion, this data reveals significant gaps in software supply chain security practices. It highlights the need for better integration of security measures throughout the development process, improved tooling and processes for managing open source components, and organizational changes to prioritize and streamline security efforts. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving the overall security posture of software development in the face of increasing supply chain attacks.

Leading organizations recognize that comprehensive discovery is the crucial first step in addressing security gaps. Interlynk is committed to guiding you through this essential process, helping you stay ahead of emerging threats and regulatory requirements in the dynamic landscape of software supply chain security

#sbom #gitlab #devsecops #ssc #softwaresupplychain #interlynk