Software identification is the focus of efforts by CISA, aimed at enhancing security in the supply chain.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is working towards establishing a harmonized software identification system to bolster the security of the software supply chain. This initiative aims to create a unified framework that enables consistent and reliable identification of software components, improving transparency, traceability, and risk mitigation in software procurement, development, and deployment across industries.
While a direct request for comment (RFC) from CISA outlining this harmonized software ID system was not found in the search results, insights can be gleaned from broader cybersecurity initiatives and regulatory trends.
CISA is focusing on strengthening collective cyber defense by fostering interagency and sector collaboration to address vulnerabilities in software supply chains. This includes improving software component identification and vulnerability disclosure mechanisms, supporting real-time risk management and compliance with expanding regulatory requirements.
Part of harmonizing software identification involves integrating identity governance, risk management, and automation, complementing the principle of "least privilege" that limits attacker movement within environments by tightly controlling software permissions and traceability within infrastructures.
CISA and partners are also pushing for software bill of materials (SBOM) standards and frameworks, which aim to catalog software dependencies consistently to better understand and mitigate risks from known and unknown vulnerabilities.
In line with these efforts, CISA is seeking comments on requirements for an effective software identification ecosystem. The initiative is part of CISA's larger effort to make the software supply chain more secure, facilitating greater automation, inventory visibility, and the multifaceted value proposition of SBOM's broad adoption.
The request for comment aims to establish uniform parameters to track critical information required to improve software security. Key stakeholders, including corporate entities, are eager to better understand the risk calculus of their technology stacks, answering the question: Are we a target?
Brian Fox, co-founder and CTO of Sonatype, emphasized that a lack of a shared understanding for software identification hinders the automation of SBOMs and vulnerability details. Sandy Radesky, associate director for vulnerability management at CISA, reiterated the need for a more robust software identifier ecosystem to support a harmonized software identification system.
The deadline for comments is set for Dec. 11. Information on known vulnerabilities, available mitigations or security patches, and approved software for use are part of the effort, according to a white paper released by CISA.
For the latest official materials, consulting CISA’s official publications webpage or recent federal cybersecurity directives might provide the specific RFC or standards documents as they are published. If you need detailed access or excerpts from the actual CISA RFC once available, that would typically be found in official CISA release repositories or federal rulemaking portals.
References:
- NIST - NISTIR 8259: Guidelines for Cybersecurity Risk Management for Supply Chain Risk Management
- CISA - Improving Software Supply Chain Security: A Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Organizations
- White House - Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity
- CISA - Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- NIST - Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (NIST CSF)
- The harmonized software identification system, proposed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), aims to enhance cybersecurity by addressing vulnerabilities in software supply chains and improving software component identification.
- To bolster this initiative, CISA is focusing on integrating identity governance, risk management, and automation, and is also pushing for software bill of materials (SBOM) standards.
- As a result, SBOM's broad adoption facilitates greater automation, inventory visibility, and a more secure software supply chain, which is crucial for both corporate entities and personal finance.
- In the realm of education and self-development, understanding the importance of cybersecurity, data and cloud computing, and skills training is vital for a successful career development in today's technology-driven business landscape, specifically in the field of wealth management and finance.
- By establishing uniform parameters to track critical software security information, CISA seeks to answer questions like "Are we a target?" and ensure that businesses and individuals are protected against known and unknown vulnerabilities.
- Partnerships with experts in the field, such as Brian Fox, co-founder and CTO of Sonatype, emphasize the importance of a shared understanding for software identification to automate SBOMs and vulnerability details effectively.
