An SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) is more than just a regulatory requirement—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing security and managing risks effectively. Yet, many organizations fail to leverage its full potential, treating SBOMs as static compliance documents rather than integral components of their cybersecurity strategy. This issue was a key focus at BSidesNYC 2024, where Ken Zalevsky, CEO of Vigilant Ops, and Anita D’Amico, President of Cotopaxi Consulting, discussed best practices, regulatory imperatives, and the evolving discipline of SBOM Lifecycle Management. Here’s how businesses can transition from compliance-driven SBOMs to proactive security measures.
Understanding SBOMs: More Than a List
At their core, SBOMs provide a detailed breakdown of software components, including essential metadata like supplier names, component details, and version numbers. These inventories are structured using standardized formats like SPDX and CycloneDX to facilitate seamless data sharing. However, the crucial piece often missing is vulnerability information. Generating an SBOM is only the beginning—true value comes from actively managing and acting on the insights it provides.
The Pitfalls of a Compliance-Only Mindset
Many organizations create SBOMs purely to satisfy regulatory requirements, whether for FDA pre-market medical device submissions or government contractor compliance under Executive Order 14028. However, if no further action is taken beyond generation, the SBOM remains an underutilized document rather than a dynamic security asset.
Passing along an SBOM without proactive analysis and mitigation strategies leaves vulnerabilities unaddressed. To maximize security benefits, organizations must actively assess, curate, and integrate SBOM data into their broader cybersecurity operations.
Key Strategies for Effective SBOM Utilization
- Prioritizing and Mitigating Vulnerabilities: Instead of merely identifying vulnerabilities, organizations should prioritize risks and work with vendors to implement necessary mitigations.
- Aligning SBOMs with Hardware: Particularly in industries like healthcare, linking SBOMs to their corresponding hardware components is critical for a comprehensive security posture.
- Adopting Best Practices from Key Agencies: Agencies such as CISA, NIST, and NSA provide valuable guidance on SBOM implementation. By adhering to their evolving recommendations, organizations can future-proof their security strategies.
The Evolution of SBOM Lifecycle Management
SBOM Lifecycle Management—sometimes referred to as SBOM Operations—is an emerging discipline focused on deriving ongoing value from SBOMs beyond their initial creation. The key stakeholders in this process include:
- Producers: Those responsible for generating the SBOM.
- Distributors: Entities that share SBOMs across the supply chain.
- Consumers: Organizations that analyze SBOMs for risk assessment and mitigation.
Critical components of SBOM Lifecycle Management include:
- Proactive vulnerability identification and response
- Automated updates to reflect software and hardware changes
- Ongoing compliance with evolving regulatory and industry standards
Why Regulations Are Driving SBOM Evolution
From FDA medical device regulations to Executive Order 14028, regulatory bodies are emphasizing transparency and proactive cybersecurity. As compliance frameworks become more stringent, organizations must integrate SBOM Lifecycle Management into their operations to stay ahead.
The Path Forward
To move beyond compliance, organizations must embrace SBOMs as living documents—continuously monitored, updated, and leveraged for security insights. The benefits include:
- Improved supply chain transparency
- Enhanced protection against software supply chain threats
- Confident regulatory compliance
Vigilant Ops is at the forefront of this evolution. Our SBOM Lifecycle Management platform enables organizations to dynamically manage their SBOMs, transforming them into valuable cybersecurity assets.
Are you ready to take control of your SBOM strategy? Contact Vigilant Ops today to learn how we can help you optimize SBOM Lifecycle Management.
