Ntia.gov - Framing Software Component Transparency - Establishing a Common Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Description
The Framing Software Component Transparency: Establishing a Common Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a document produced by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the SBOM concept and its significance in the software industry.
The document begins by highlighting the need for increased transparency in the software supply chain to address security vulnerabilities and potential risks. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the components that make up a software product in order to effectively manage and mitigate these risks.
The document then defines SBOM as a list of all components used in a software product, including its dependencies, and their respective versions and sources. It further explains that an SBOM can be created manually, automatically, or through a combination of both methods.
Next, the document presents the benefits of utilizing an SBOM, such as improving supply chain risk management, enabling software bill of materials exchange between stakeholders, and facilitating vulnerability and licensing management. It also highlights the importance of establishing a common SBOM format to promote consistency and interoperability.
The second edition of the document delves deeper into the common SBOM format, providing an overview of its main components and their functions. It also discusses the different types of data that can be included in an SBOM, such as component metadata, vulnerability information, and licensing details.
In addition, the document presents use cases for SBOM, including software development, supply chain management, and incident response. It also discusses potential challenges and limitations in implementing and using SBOMs, such as the high costs and time-consuming process of creating and managing them.
Finally, the document includes recommendations for building and implementing an effective SBOM strategy, including creating an inventory of software components and developing a process for collecting and updating SBOM data. It also suggests the use of open-source tools and collaboration with industry partners to promote SBOM adoption and development.
Overall, the Framing Software Component Transparency: Establishing a Common Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding SBOMs and their role in promoting transparency and security in the software industry. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for organizations looking to implement SBOMs in their software development and supply chain management processes.
More Information
https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/ntia_sbom_framing_2nd_edition_20211021_0.pdf
