GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Software Supply Chain Security (SSCS) Solutions

Seth Byrnes — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:13:37 +0000

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.

Key Criteria for Evaluating SSCS Solutions

Sector Adoption Score

Deters
Adoption

Discourages
Adoption

Merits
Consideration

Encourages
Adoption

Compels
Adoption

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.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

The GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a detailed decision framework for IT and executive leadership assessing enterprise technologies. Each report defines relevant functional and nonfunctional aspects of solutions in a sector. The Key Criteria report informs the GigaOm Radar report, which provides a forward-looking assessment of vendor solutions in the sector.

The post GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Software Supply Chain Security (SSCS) Solutions appeared first on Gigaom.

GigaOm Radar for Software Supply Chain Security

Seth Byrnes — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:00:33 +0000

Software supply chain attacks have become highly visible due to extensive media coverage such as of the Solarwinds attack in 2020 and the more recent MoveIt transfer tool attack. These incidents have broad impacts not only on IT and cybersecurity teams but also on consumers. In response to novel cyberthreats and an ever-expanding attack surface, comprehensive software supply chain security (SSCS) solutions have become vital to every organization’s cybersecurity strategy.

SSCS encompasses a suite of methodologies and tools designed to identify, catalog, and manage software components while scanning for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations across code, containers, and infrastructure as code (IaC). These solutions are pivotal in preventing data breaches, unauthorized access, and malicious attacks that can cripple operations, erode customer trust, and inflict significant financial damage. SSCS is essential for organizations of all sizes and industries, particularly those handling sensitive data or operating in highly regulated sectors. Over the next few years, many new regulations will come into effect in both the US and EU that require organizations to adopt SSCS tools in order to remain compliant and meet regulatory standards.

CxOs can no longer ignore either the escalating sophistication of cyberattacks or the growing complexity of software it creates and uses. This has created an environment where organizations are constantly under threat. The fallout from a successful attack can be devastating, including regulatory fines, legal repercussions, loss of customers, and irreparable damage to brand reputation. Investing in SSCS is a strategic decision that directly impacts an organization’s resilience, competitiveness, and long-term success.

While the need for SSCS stems primarily from a requirement to meet compliance or risk mitigation targets, the capabilities it provides have the added benefit of increasing developer productivity, ensuring business continuity, and protecting and growing revenue streams. By proactively identifying and remediating vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, organizations can avoid costly downtime, prevent data breaches, and maintain the trust of their customers.

The SSCS landscape is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements and the changing nature of cyberthreats. Vendors are offering a wide range of solutions securing different portions of the SDLC, with some leaning toward shift-left solutions, others leaning toward shift-right, and still others presenting unique solutions positioned in the middle of the development lifecycle.

Businesses must adopt a comprehensive strategy for software development, deployment, and usage, employing automation to match fast-paced release schedules. Prioritizing SSCS and new technologies will strengthen defenses, reduce risks, and ensure long-term success in today’s digital landscape.

This is our first year evaluating the Software Supply Chain Security space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 23 of the top Software Supply Chain Security solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading Software Supply Chain Security offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

The post GigaOm Radar for Software Supply Chain Security appeared first on Gigaom.

Seth Byrnes, Author at Gigaom

GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Software Supply Chain Security (SSCS) Solutions

Key Criteria for Evaluating SSCS Solutions

Sector Adoption Score

DetersAdoption

DiscouragesAdoption

MeritsConsideration

EncouragesAdoption

CompelsAdoption

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

GigaOm Radar for Software Supply Chain Security

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

Deters
Adoption

Discourages
Adoption

Merits
Consideration

Encourages
Adoption

Compels
Adoption