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Application Security

10/6/2020
10:15 AM
Curtis Franklin Jr.
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6 Best Practices for Using Open Source Software Safely

Open source software is critical yet potentially dangerous. Here are ways to minimize the risk.
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Use Automation

The need for speed in DevOps and agile can run into the limitations of smaller security headcount. Automation can be the "bumper" that allows the two competing realities to co-exist.

Automation is recognized as critical for open source security at many different levels. GitHub, for example, has launched Dependabot as a tool to monitor dependencies (applets, pieces of code, or libraries used inside another application) and ensure the code used in a project is the most recent version. Similar tools are available for both developer and operational uses within the enterprise.

As anyone who has lived through Patch Tuesday can attest, the automated update scan process can lead to unintended consequences. Properly deployed security, orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) tools can go a long way toward minimizing the risks of updating while maximizing the benefits of up-to-date code. Both the consequences and benefits are why it's important to include automation tools as part of an overall software supply chain security program, rather than expecting to turn on the tools and walk away.

(Image: sdecoret VIA Adobe Stock)

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linnovate
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linnovate,
 User Rank: Apprentice
10/7/2020 | 6:32:04 AM
Additional safety suggestion
It is true, things can quickly get overwhelming in open-source. Ultimately it comes down to trusting the developers, open communication, and having a great teamwork ethic, working collaboratively together. The one thing I would add is knowing who the contributors are. 
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