DevOps is about quickly and efficiently delivering software by seamlessly integrating development and operations. In this fast-paced environment, it's crucial that security doesn't fall behind. This is where SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) comes in as an important part of the process, ensuring that security is built-in from the start and maintained continuously.
Integration of SBOM in DevOps processes
By integrating SBOM into DevOps pipelines, you can automatically generate a detailed overview of all components included in each new version of the software. This enables continuous monitoring and management of security risks without it becoming an extra burden for development teams. At the same time, you get an archive of SBOMs over time so you know exactly which versions of components were used at a specific time.
Here's how SBOM can transform and improve the DevOps process:
Automate SBOM generation
Manually creating SBOMs can be time-consuming and error-prone. By automating generation, you ensure that every new version of the software is thoroughly documented:
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Automatic tools: Use tools like Syft, Trivy or SBOM Observer to create SBOMs when building software.
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CI/CD integration: Integrate SBOM generation directly into CI/CD pipelines (e.g. GitHub, GitLab, Azure Pipeline) so that the SBOM is automatically updated when new code is pushed to version control or new components are added.
Integrate security scanning
The SBOM can be used to automatically scan for vulnerabilities in software, making it possible to identify and address security risks early:
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Continuous scanning: Ensure that the tool analyzing SBOMs also performs continuous security scans that run every time an SBOM is updated, as well as when new vulnerabilities are discovered.
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Automated custom notifications: Generate notifications that highlight prioritized vulnerabilities - for example, vulnerabilities in production environments often have higher priority. Generally, the more you can segment and prioritize information, the faster actions can be taken.
Improve collaboration between teams
SBOM serves as a common reference point between development and security teams, promoting better collaboration and understanding:
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Shared information: Ensure that both development and security teams have access to SBOM analysis and know how to use it to identify and manage risks.
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Transparent processes: Use SBOM to create transparency around which components are used and how they are managed, promoting a culture of security and accountability.
Implementation strategy for SBOM in DevOps
To effectively integrate SBOM into the DevOps process, you can follow these steps:
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Choose the right tools
Choose tools like Syft, Trivy, SBOM Observer or other open-source solutions that fit the technical environment and needs.
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Integrate into CI/CD pipelines
Add SBOM generation to CI/CD pipelines so that the SBOM is automatically created with every code change or new version.
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Automate security scanning
Implement automated scans that use the SBOM to identify and report vulnerabilities in real-time. In addition to analyzing and archiving SBOMs, some tools do this automatically.
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Monitor and maintain
Use the SBOM for continuous monitoring of components and vulnerabilities, and keep it updated with the latest security updates. Add the SBOMs to an SBOM Management tool for further analysis, archiving and management. One such tool is SBOM Observer, which helps manage and analyze SBOM data efficiently.
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Train the team
Ensure that both development and security teams understand the importance of SBOM and how it should be used in daily work.