In recent times, the digital world has seen a surge in software attacks and vulnerabilities, forcing government and private-sector organizations to place a microscope over the entirety of the software development life cycle (SDLC). This focus has led to the concept of a software supply chain (SSC), essentially a collection of activities that cumulatively contribute to the overall security of an SSC.
In the contemporary software landscape, cloud-native applications primarily consist of loosely coupled components, otherwise known as microservices. These applications usually subscribe to an agile SDLC practice known as DevSecOps, which utilizes continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. However, the security integrity of these pipelines has been a cause for concern, with threats originating from both deliberate and unintentional sources.
The Role of Executive Orders and Frameworks in Software Security
Government initiatives and industry forums have put forth measures to combat this issue and enhance the security of all deployed software. An example is Executive Order (EO) 14028 and NIST’s Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF). However, these measures and instructions need to be actionable for organizations developing and deploying cloud-native applications.
As a response, efforts are now being concentrated on integrating SSC security assurance into the DevSecOps CI/CD pipelines. This integration aims to provide organizations with practical measures to address SSC security, which would enhance the safety of their respective digital footprints.
Open for Public Comments
The public is invited to comment on the proposals until October 13, 2023. Such discussions will aid in refining these measures and taking into account the collective wisdom of software security experts and organizations at large.
Moreover, the document entertains calls for patent claims as noted on page ii of the draft. More information on this aspect can be found under the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Patent Policy – Inclusion of Patents in ITL Publications.
As we continue to navigate the digital age, efforts such as these underscore the need for rigorous software security measures. The integration of SSC security assurance measures into CI/CD pipelines in the DevSecOps context paves the way for a more secure and resilient digital space.
Tags: #SoftwareSecurity, #DevSecOps, #CI/CDPipelines, #CloudNativeApplications