The Executive Orders on software security have reinforced the importance of transparency and accountability in the software supply chain. With new regulations emerging under the current U.S. administration, many organizations may be questioning: Is SBOM management still critical to ensuring safety and compliance?
In a recent webinar featuring Tim Mackey, Head of Software Supply Chain Risk Strategy at Black Duck; Ralph Hall, CEO of Hall Strategies; and Ken Zalevsky, CEO of Vigilant Ops, experts discussed how SBOM management remains vital in this evolving landscape.
Key Webinar Insights
- The Role of SBOMs in a Changing Regulatory Landscape SBOMs continue to play a crucial role in strengthening software security practices, regardless of political or regulatory changes. The experts emphasized that compliance requirements may shift, but secure development principles must remain consistent. Ensuring SBOM visibility throughout the product lifecycle is essential to manage vulnerabilities effectively.
- Building Long-Lasting Solutions Healthcare and MedTech products often have extended lifecycles, requiring manufacturers to anticipate security needs far into the future. The webinar highlighted the need for organizations to implement robust security strategies that extend well beyond initial development. Security considerations should account for product updates, patching limitations, and legacy device risks.
- Expanding the Scope of Security Awareness Attendees were encouraged to think beyond traditional compliance frameworks. Security strategies must account for diverse regulatory demands at local, state, federal, and global levels. A proactive approach that addresses international regulations, such as European standards for connected devices, ensures organizations are prepared for broader security concerns.
- Security First: An Upstream Approach Security cannot be an afterthought. The panel underscored the importance of designing security into products from the start. This approach simplifies compliance while reducing the risk of costly security flaws that arise later in the product lifecycle.
- Cross-Team Collaboration Early and frequent collaboration between engineering, quality, and regulatory teams ensures security remains top-of-mind throughout development. This integrated approach helps organizations identify risks early and streamline compliance efforts.
- Maximizing SBOM Value SBOMs are not just for regulators—they offer valuable insights for internal security teams. Leveraging SBOM data to improve vulnerability tracking, patch management, and risk prioritization helps organizations maintain a stronger security posture.
- Staying Vigilant Amid Change While regulatory changes may introduce uncertainty, the core principles of software security remain constant. Building automated security checks into development processes, monitoring threat landscapes, and prioritizing risk mitigation ensure organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.
Final Thoughts
The webinar underscored that SBOM management is not only critical for compliance but also fundamental to securing modern software ecosystems. By embedding security practices into product design, fostering collaboration across teams, and adopting automated tools to streamline compliance, organizations can better manage the risks that come with increasingly connected technologies.
For those navigating the complexities of SBOM management, the panel’s guidance provides clear direction: think long-term, build security into every phase, and remain vigilant as the software landscape continues to evolve.
