What to Look for in an SBOM Management Solution

With the evolution of software development, SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) management has become increasingly more important in maintaining security and compliance. The widespread adoption of third-party and open-source components in today's connected devices--and their ever-faster development cycles--mean that SBOM management is rising in the list of priorities for many IoT/OT/IoMT manufacturers. 

This blog post explores the key features to look for when you're considering SBOM management solutions, addressing the challenges of collecting, reviewing, organizing, and sharing SBOMs, along with managing vulnerabilities within your software supply chain.

Understanding SBOM Management Solutions

Comprehensive SBOM solutions should simplify generating SBOMs, of course. And this includes the capability to automatically generate SBOMs from various sources such as binaries and third-party code. Automated SBOM generation changes the game, for sure, saving time and resources, and reducing the chance for human error.

It's also important that a solution have the ability to ingest SBOMs in all standard formats. Given the diverse nature of software supply chains, a solution must seamlessly integrate SBOMs from different suppliers and tools. This flexibility is key in maintaining a cohesive and comprehensive overview of your software components.

But any solution should also make sure that SBOMs remain accurate and relevant over time. Beyond generation and ingestion, effective SBOM management involves thorough aggregation and management of these documents.

A solution should provide a clear and detailed view of the product hierarchy, highlighting interdependencies and relationships between components. As cybersecurity practitioners, we need this level of detail before we can confidently assess risks and vulnerabilities within our software.

Vulnerability Management and Sharing Capabilities

Managing vulnerabilities forms an integral component of SBOM management. The right solution should offer robust vulnerability enrichment features, identifying and prioritizing known vulnerabilities and managing exploitability data. This proactive approach to vulnerability management ensures that potential risks are identified and addressed promptly.

Exporting and sharing SBOMs are equally important, especially when working within a software supply chain that involves multiple stakeholders. The ability to share enriched, detailed SBOMs fosters collaboration and transparency, ensuring that all parties are informed and aligned in their security practices.

Key Questions to Guide Your Selection

When evaluating an SBOM management solution, consider the following:

• How does the solution automate SBOM creation from diverse sources, and how does it ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of these SBOMs?
• Can it handle SBOMs in various formats, including those with VEX data, ensuring compatibility with different supply chain partners?
• Does the solution provide a detailed visualization of software component hierarchies and dependencies for better risk assessment?
• How does it approach vulnerability enrichment, and what measures are in place for managing exploitability data effectively?
• What are the options for exporting and sharing SBOMs, and how does this feature support collaboration within the software supply chain?
• How adaptable is the solution in terms of supporting different SBOM formats and responding to emerging vulnerabilities?

Selecting the right SBOM management solution is a critical decision that impacts your software's security, compliance, and overall quality. By focusing on automated generation, flexible ingestion, comprehensive management, and robust vulnerability handling, you can ensure a resilient and forward-thinking approach to SBOM management. Keep these considerations in mind to choose a solution that not only addresses your immediate needs but also positions you well for future challenges and changes in the software development landscape.