What Is Software Supply Chain And Why It Matters

Step 1: Article with all details in Markdown Syntax

Introduction

The software supply chain comprises all the different pieces that a business uses to build applications. These pieces include third-party software like open-source packages, containers from the internet, code written by contractors or in-house engineering teams, and the delivery pipelines themselves. When delivering new applications to customers, companies should consider whether their delivery pipeline is secure and if they maintain a software bill of materials (SBOM) for the entire software and its supply chain, including third-party vendors.

Why Should Companies Care About Software Supply Chain?

To understand the importance of a software supply chain, let's reflect on another type of supply chain - the automotive industry. Henry Ford’s car supply chain required various parts: wheels, engines, electricity, and more, some of which were built by third-party vendors. In a similar fashion, modern software development relies on third-party pieces, open-source packages, and containers to build applications.

Now, imagine buying a new car and discovering that one of its parts from a third-party vendor isn't as expected - like a flat tire instead of an inflated one. This would make the car unsafe to drive. Or consider if the car’s engine broke because it lost its warranty. Similarly, in a software supply chain, using an open-source package that is not maintained by a legitimate source is risky. Identifying these risks early is crucial, and you need the tools to examine your software comprehensively.

The software supply chain issue is no longer just a concern for security practitioners but also for engineering teams. The shift-left movement embodies this by allowing these problems to be solved early in the development process.

At Bridgecrew, we initially focused on scanning infrastructure code that has its own supply chain risks. Over time, we've expanded to cover the delivery pipeline itself and the application software, including open-source package vulnerabilities.

Step 2: Keywords

Keywords:

Software Supply Chain
Open-source Packages
Containers
Application Security
Delivery Pipeline
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Engineering Teams
Shift-left Movement
Bridgecrew

Step 3: FAQs

FAQ:

Q1: What is a software supply chain? A: A software supply chain includes all the components used to build software applications, such as third-party software, open-source packages, containers, in-house code, and delivery pipelines.

Q2: Why is a software supply chain important? A: Understanding and securing the software supply chain is essential to ensure the integrity and security of applications, similar to how ensuring the quality of parts in a car is crucial for its safety and functionality.

Q3: What are some risks associated with the software supply chain? A: Risks include using open-source packages not maintained by legitimate sources, vulnerabilities in third-party software, insecure delivery pipelines, and unverified third-party vendors.

Q4: How can companies mitigate risks in their software supply chain? A: Companies can mitigate risks by maintaining a software bill of materials (SBOM) for their applications, using tools to examine software, and adopting a shift-left approach to tackle issues early in development.

Q5: What is the shift-left movement? A: The shift-left movement encourages addressing security problems and risks early in the software development lifecycle, rather than at the later stages.

Q6: What role does Bridgecrew play in securing the software supply chain? A: Bridgecrew offers tools to scan infrastructure code, the delivery pipeline, and application software for vulnerabilities, thereby helping maintain the security of the software supply chain.