SBOMs - What are they?

CMMC SBOM

An SBOM or Software Bill of Materials is a list of the software components used in an application. It includes information such as the component name, version, and license. SBOMs are becoming increasingly important for startups, as they can help to improve security, compliance, and efficiency. Essential data points within an SBOM can differ based on the specific format employed; however, some common data points encompass:

  • Component name: The name of the software component
  • Version: The version of the software component
  • License: The license under which the software component is distributed
  • Provenance: The origin of the software component
  • Vulnerability information: Information about any known security vulnerabilities in the software component
  • Dependencies: A list of other software components that the software component depends on

SBOMs can help startups to identify security vulnerabilities in their software supply chain. By knowing which software components are used in their products, startups can more easily track the provenance of their components and identify any potential vulnerabilities. This can help to mitigate the risk of supply chain attacks, which are becoming increasingly common. SBOMs help startups to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities early in the development process. This can help to prevent attackers from exploiting these vulnerabilities. They can help startups to comply with security regulations. Many regulations, such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), require organizations to have an SBOM for their software products. By having an SBOM, startups can demonstrate that they are taking steps to protect their software from security vulnerabilities. SBOMs can help startups to improve the efficiency of their software development processes. By knowing which software components are used in their products, startups can more easily track dependencies and identify potential conflicts. This can help to save time and money during the software development process. Organizations can use an SBOM to track their license compliance requirements. Many open source components are licensed with requirements to provide clear component license information to the consumer. In addition, some copyleft licenses are also require source code availability and publication. Using an SBOM can help with these compliance requirements.

There are several open-source SBOM tools available that can help organizations create and manage SBOMs for their software applications. These tools vary in terms of their features, ease of use, and the specific aspects of SBOM they focus on. Depending on your organization's needs, you can choose the tool that aligns best with your software development and management practices. Keep in mind that SBOM practices are continuously evolving, and new tools may emerge over time to address specific needs and challenges.

  • CycloneDX is an open standard for representing software bill of materials information. It defines a simple XML format that includes details about software components, dependencies, and vulnerabilities. CycloneDX also provides various tools for generating, consuming, and working with SBOMs.
  • The Software Package Data Exchange (SPDX) is a widely used open standard for sharing software package information, including license information, copyrights, and more. SPDX tools allow you to generate SBOMs in SPDX format and manage software components' licensing information efficiently.
  • FOSSology is an open-source tool for scanning software source code and binary files to identify open-source licenses and associated copyrights. While it doesn't provide a traditional SBOM, it assists in identifying and managing open-source components and licenses, which is a crucial aspect of SBOM creation.
  • Ninka is a command-line tool that helps identify open-source licenses in source code files. While it is not a comprehensive SBOM solution, it is useful for understanding the licensing landscape of your software components.
  • The OSS Review Toolkit (ORT) assists in identifying and managing open-source components and licenses within software projects. It can be integrated into your development workflow to automate the process of creating and maintaining an SBOM.

If you prefer a commercial solution, Sonatype Lifecycle provides a solid SBOM solution as part of their ecosystem. I have used this in the past. The integration is relatively easy, and it provides developer friendly reporting that makes remediating vulnerabilities relatively easy. I have not used it, but the Mend Supply Chain Defender also gets good reviews.

In short, the SBOM helps organizations understand the software's composition, track its components, manage vulnerabilities, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions about its use. Including an SBOM in your SDLC process can help eliminate some future headaches.

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