GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Software Supply Chain Security (SSCS) Solutionsv1.0

1. Execuutive Summary

Software supply chain security (SSCS) solutions are a blend of specialized technologies and tools designed to protect the entire software development and delivery process from malicious attacks, vulnerabilities, and compromises. By integrating various security functions, SSCS provides unified visibility, control, and risk management, enabling organizations to reduce security risks and maintain compliance along the software design lifecycle (SDLC).

The importance of these solutions has skyrocketed in recent years due to the increasing complexity of modern software ecosystems and the rising frequency of supply chain attacks. High-profile breaches have highlighted the devastating potential of compromised software supply chains, where a single vulnerable component can lead to widespread security breaches across the global community.

Business Imperative
The business imperative for SSCS has reached a tipping point, due to the extent a security breach can significantly impact an organization’s compliance status, market position, and long-term success. With the increasing focus on cybersecurity, regulators across industries are mandating stricter controls over software supply chains. Noncompliance can result in hefty fines, loss of contracts, and reputational damage. In addition, many large enterprises and government agencies are now requiring their partners and suppliers to meet the same security standards. Having a robust SSCS solution in place can open doors to lucrative partnerships and contracts that might otherwise be inaccessible.

While the initial investment in SSCS solutions may seem significant, it is nothing compared to the potential cost of a security breach. Moreover, many of these solutions offer automation capabilities that can streamline security processes, reducing the manual workload on teams and allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.

Once a solution has been deployed, development teams can confidently leverage a wider range of third-party components and open source libraries. This can accelerate innovation and time to market for new products and features, providing a crucial competitive advantage.

Forward-thinking CxOs recognize that investing in these solutions is essential for building resilience, maintaining trust, and driving sustainable growth in an increasingly complex and dangerous digital landscape.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of an SSCS solution deployment to the business, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters adoption of an SSCS solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) of 3.6 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This indicates that an SSCS solution is a credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for SSCS are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for SSCS

This is the first year that GigaOm has reported on the SSCS space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective SSCS solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading SSCS offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.