SBOM Basics
Software Producer (Creating & Sharing SBOMs Securely)
Goal:
Automate the generation and secure sharing of SBOMs to provide full visibility into software components, helping consumers and security teams detect vulnerabilities before they become threats.
Step 1: SBOM Generation
Every software product consists of multiple components, including open-source libraries, third-party dependencies, and proprietary code. To ensure security and compliance, software producers must automatically generate an SBOM as part of the CI/CD pipeline.
A modern SBOM generation process should:
Capture all dependencies and their versions in a structured format (e.g., SPDX, CycloneDX).
Include metadata such as authorship, supplier details, and timestamps.
Be integrated into the software development process to ensure every build includes a fresh SBOM.
Step 2: Augmentation
An SBOM is more useful when enriched with additional security, compliance, and integrity data, such as:
Cryptographic hashes to verify software authenticity.
License details to ensure legal compliance.
Vulnerability mapping (e.g., linking components to known CVEs).
- Provenance tracking to verify software origins.
Augmenting SBOMs provides deeper insights into software security risks, helping consumers make informed decisions.
Step 3: Signing for Security & Trust
A digitally signed SBOM ensures that it remains unaltered and verifiable throughout its lifecycle.
Why this matters:
Prevents tampering or unauthorized modifications.
Builds trust between software vendors and consumers.
Enables automated SBOM verification before software deployment.
Step 4: Sharing with Consumers & Compliance Teams
Once the SBOM is generated, enriched, and signed, it must be securely distributed to relevant stakeholders:
Customers & Security Teams → Helps detect vulnerabilities before deployment.
Regulatory Authorities → Ensures compliance with cybersecurity frameworks.
Automated Security Tools → Enables real-time risk assessment.