Commonsense Guide to Securing Your Software Supply Chain

The software supply chain has become a critical concern for security professionals with the rapid growth in supply chain attacks and the increasing complexity of managing dependencies. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for organizations to understand the risks and take proactive measures to secure their software supply chains.

In this guide, we will explore the key aspects of software supply chain security, discuss the challenges and provide practical advice on how to mitigate risks and improve security posture.

The Software Supply Chain Problem

Managing the different classes of threats from dependencies is complex and there is no single tool to solve all problems. The median number of transitive (indirect) dependencies for a JavaScript project on GitHub is 683 (which includes duplicates or common publishers). This highlights the significant attack surface that can be expanded by relying on hundreds of different suppliers with varying levels of trustworthiness.

Defining the Software Supply Chain

A software supply chain consists of all the code, people, systems and processes that contribute to the development and delivery of software (both inside and outside of an organization). This includes code created, its dependencies, internal and external software used for development, build, package, install and run software as well as processes and policies for system access, testing, review, monitoring and feedback.

Compliance and Regulations

Software supply chain attacks have spurred widespread concern both from industry and government. This concern is highlighted in U.S. Executive Order (EO) 14028 on “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity” which led to a slew of efforts from Federal agencies (such as NIST and CISA) and industry organizations (such as OWASP and The Linux Foundation) as well as by commercial organizations including Google and Microsoft. Compliance activities (though sometimes seen as checkboxes) are useful tools to drive change that otherwise might not get prioritized.

Implementing Software Supply Chain Security

To secure the software supply chain, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that integrates security into the software development lifecycle. This includes:

Code Security

• Code Reviews: Regular code reviews can help identify vulnerabilities and ensure that code meets security standards.
• Dependency Management: Managing dependencies effectively by keeping track of updates, vulnerabilities and ensuring that only trusted sources are used.

Process Security

• Access Control: Implementing strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive systems and code.
• Testing and Review: Conducting thorough testing and review of code and processes to identify potential vulnerabilities.

System Security

• System Hardening: Ensuring that systems are hardened to prevent unauthorized access and minimize the attack surface.
• Monitoring and Feedback: Implementing monitoring and feedback mechanisms to quickly identify and respond to security incidents.

Trusting Publishers

Trusting publishers of third-party software is crucial because their code runs alongside sensitive assets. It is essential to verify the security practices of publishers and ensure that they do not actively attempt to compromise security. This includes:

Vendor Trust

• Due Diligence: Conducting thorough due diligence on vendors to ensure they have robust security practices in place.
• Security Assessments: Regularly assessing the security posture of vendors to identify potential risks.

Open-Source Software

• Vetting Open-Source Components: Ensuring that open-source components are thoroughly vetted and assessed for security risks.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with the open-source community to stay informed about potential security issues.

Mitigating Risks

To mitigate risks, it is essential to implement a combination of awareness, sound policies and automation. This includes:

Awareness

• Education and Training: Educating developers and security professionals on software supply chain security risks and best practices.
• Risk Assessment: Conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential security risks.

Policies

• Security Policies: Developing and enforcing robust security policies that cover software supply chain security.
• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Automation

• Automated Tools: Utilizing automated tools to identify vulnerabilities, manage dependencies and monitor systems.
• Continuous Integration and Delivery: Implementing continuous integration and delivery pipelines to ensure that security is integrated into the development lifecycle.

Secure Your Supply Chain

Securing the software supply chain is a complex task that requires a holistic approach. By understanding the risks, implementing robust security measures and staying informed about the latest threats and best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of supply chain attacks. 

At Sound Computers, we understand the importance of software supply chain security and are committed to helping organizations improve their security posture. If you need guidance on securing your software supply chain, contact us today to learn more about our services and expertise.