Software Composition Analysis (SCA) via SBOM
What Is
Software Composition Analysis (SCA)?
Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is a proactive security approach that identifies, tracks, and manages all open-source and third-party components within a software application.
By leveraging a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), organizations gain full visibility into their software dependencies, allowing them to detect vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with licensing regulations, and mitigate supply chain risks before they become security threats.
With the increasing reliance on open-source libraries and third-party code, SCA is critical for securing software from development to deployment.
How It Works:
A Three-Step Process
What it does:
✔ Creates a detailed inventory of all components, including:
– Open-source libraries
– Third-party software packages
– Proprietary dependencies
✔ Tracks version numbers, licenses, vulnerabilities, and software dependencies.
✔ Provides a real-time, auditable record of the software supply chain.
Why it matters:
- Transparency: Know exactly what’s inside your software.
- Regulatory Compliance: Required by frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and IEC 62443.
- Risk Management: Prevent supply chain attacks caused by hidden dependencies.
What it does:
✔ Cross-references SBOM data with vulnerability databases (CVEs, NVD, OSS Index).
✔ Detects outdated components, licensing conflicts, and security flaws.
✔ Assesses dependencies to prevent cascading security risks from third-party code.
Why it matters:
- Reduces exposure to zero-day vulnerabilities in commonly used libraries.
- Ensures compliance with software licensing regulations (GPL, MIT, Apache, etc.).
- Identifies weak links in your supply chain before attackers do.
What it does:
✔ Recommends patching, upgrading, or replacing vulnerable components.
✔ Ensures compatibility and stability after remediation.
✔ Provides continuous monitoring to track newly discovered threats.
Why it matters:
- Avoids security breaches caused by unpatched dependencies.
- Reduces downtime and last-minute fixes in production.
- Prevents license violations that could lead to legal risks.