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Let‘s cut to the chase: software supply chain attacks are rising sharply and most organizations remain unprepared.
Protecting the complex web of people, processes and technologies needed to design, develop and distribute software is now paramount.
As your trusted advisor, I‘ve carefully evaluated the top supply chain security solutions to safeguard your organization. In this guide, I‘ll provide:
- Actionable data on the growing supply chain threat landscape
- An easy-to-understand overview of what software supply chains are
- A detailed look at 10 purpose-built security solutions
- Head-to-head capability comparisons of the top vendors
- Tailored advice to match the right tools with your needs
I don‘t expect you to become a software supply chain expert (that‘s my job!). My goal is to equip you with the information required to make an informed decision protecting what matters most.
Let‘s get you secured.
Rapid Growth of Software Supply Chain Attacks
Before exploring potential solutions, we need visibility into the rising threats targeting software supply chains:
| Year | Supply Chain Attacks | Increase vs. Prior Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 304 | N/A |
| 2021 | 1,848 | 507% |
| 2022 | 7,098* | 284%* |
_*Projected based on Jan-Sept 2022_
Supply chain assaults jumped 6x in 2021 alone. And early indicators for 2022 show an even higher acceleration.
This torrent of attacks will only intensify as more software leverages interconnected components and services.
For example, software is increasingly distributed across:
- Open source libraries – up to 80% to 90% of application code
- Commercial plugins – 3rd party features to accelerate delivery
- Microservices – distributed functions stitched into apps
- APIs – application interfaces to share data and connect systems
- Infrastructure-as-code – scripted environments powering cloud
With exponential exposure, securing software development and delivery must become an organizational priority right now.
Demystifying Software Supply Chains
Before exploring your security options, it helps to level-set on what software supply chains encompass.
A software supply chain refers to the end-to-end systems and processes used to design, develop, and deliver software applications. This includes:
- People – developers, IT operators, partners
- Processes – design, coding, testing, release, operation
- Technologies – pipelines, repositories, infrastructure, tools
The hard truth? Virtually every piece of software relies on 3rd party code and services to operate. This interconnectedness creates security interdependencies spanning well beyond your firewall.
For example, the devastating Equifax breach exposing 143 million consumers was linked to an Apache Struts vulnerability. Even though Equifax did not author the flawed component, they integrated it.
Yoursupply chain security posture is only as strong as the weakest link.
With modern applications containing over 100 trillion lines of open source code on average, those weak links abound.
Just ask SolarWinds. Or Kaseya. Or Codecov. A breach anywhere upstream spreads exponentially.
That‘s why an integrated approach spanning your entire software lifecycle is essential.
Top 10 Software Supply Chain Security Solutions
Many purpose-built solutions now exist to help secure software factory environments. Based on extensive research into the provider landscape, these 10 offerings lead the pack:
| Solution | Overview | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Scribe | End-to-end supply chain protection and DevSecOps automation | Comprehensive capability for all software teams |
| Anchore | Scans container images for vulnerabilities and risks | Securing containerized/Kubernetes deployments |
| Contrast Security | Embeds robust AppSec testing into coding practices | Embedding security into development |
| Codenotary | Tamper-proof SBOMs using an immutable ledger | End-to-end SBOM use cases |
| Argon | Securing CI/CD pipelines and cloud environments | Protecting cloud-native build/deploy |
| Cybeats | Tools to build, manage and analyze SBOMs | SBOM creation and analytics |
| Legit Security | Assesses risks across pipelines and environments | Quantifying risk posture across SDLC |
| Cycode | End-to-end visibility/governance over SDLC components | Unifying governance view |
| Chainguard | Kubernetes-native signing/verification of containers | Securing Kubernetes deployments |
| Arnica | Least privilege controls and insider threat detection | Protecting human access |
This list provides a shortlist of highly capable options fitting various use cases. Now let‘s explore 5 leading choices in more depth.
Deep Dive on 5 Leading Supply Chain Security Solutions
While the full list deliver value, these 5 providers lead the pack when evaluated across critical capability criteria:
| Scribe | Anchore | Contrast Security | Codenotary | Argon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breadth of Visibility | Full-Spectrum | Images/K8s | Custom Code | Component Inventory | Pipelines |
| Integrity Protection | End-to-End | Policies | Coding Practices | SBOM Validation | Infrastructure |
| Security Testing | Comprehensive | Images | Coding Flaws | Limited | Automated |
| Operational Simplicity | Full Automation | Configurable | High Touch | Purpose-Built | Infra-Embedded |
| Enterprise Trust | High Adoption | Growing | Developer Mindshare | Early Stage | Specialized |
Let‘s explore how the 5 frontrunners stack up.
Scribe – Strongest Security Posture
Scribe delivers integrated DevSecOps protection spanning the entire software factory – offering the strongest security posture overall.
Key capabilities:
Comprehensive visibility – inspect risks across all components, changes and pipelines
End-to-end integrity – protect all code and dependencies using immutable tracking
Continuous compliance – automated evidence collection tailored to your standards
Seamless integration – embed security into existing toolchains and processes
Scribe is the category leader – enabling both robust protection and simpler adoption using deep automation.
Anchore – Specialized Container Security
Anchore focuses specifically on securing container workflows across the SDLC through scanning, access controls and runtime policies.
Core capabilities:
Registry scanning – evaluate vulnerabilities in container images
Kubernetes integration – embed admission checks and runtime controls
CI/CD integration – break builds on policy violations automatically
SBOM support – inventory components used in images
For heavy containerized environments, Anchore is purpose-built to boost integrity and compliance.
Contrast Security – AppSec Testing Automation
Contrast Security embeds application security testing directly into internal development practices – both pre-production and at runtime.
Primary features:
Interactive AppSec testing – developers find and fix flaws faster
Pipeline security controls – block vulnerable code from deployment
Runtime self-protection -防止实时攻击
Accelerated compliance – automate evidence for standards adherence
Contrast places security front-and-center for development teams – enabling self-service AppSec.
Codenotary – Tamper-Proof SBOM Anchor
Codenotary offers immutable storage for creating, managing and verifying software bill of materials (SBOMs) across the entire software lifecycle.
Main capabilities:
Anchor SBOMs – document components anchored to tamper-proof ledger
Track all dependencies – map component relationships over time
Integrate anywhere – 500+ language and tooling plugins
Verify integrity – detect unauthorized SBOM modifications
For robust SBOM use cases, Codenotary delivers integrity-assured SBOMs anchored to an immutable foundation.
Argon – Automated Pipeline Protection
Argon embeds automated security controls into CI/CD pipelines and cloud infrastructure – enabling governance without slowing speed.
Noteworthy features:
Environment hardening – auto-apply access controls across pipelines and cloud
Policy enforcement – make security integral to deployments
Drift detection – identify risky changes from baseline
Secrets management – security scans with automated rotation
Argon weaves preventative controls directly into modern software delivery mechanics.
Right-Fitting Security Solutions to Your Needs
With specialized solutions for various software delivery models, your security choice depends on several factors:
Application Architecture
- Custom code-centric? Embed early via Contrast Security.
- Open source-based? Seek SCA like Scribe.
- Microservices model? Consider API and infrastructure-focused options.
Pick tools aligning to how your software is actually built.
Delivery Models
- Heavy containers/K8s reliance? Look at Anchore and Chainguard.
- Aggressive cloud adoption? See Argon for cloud-native security.
- Waterfall releases? Embed later via runtime application self-protection.
Consider security integrations against your actual release pathways.
Compliance Scope
- Government systems? Require DISA STIG and FedRAMP for authorization.
- Public sector? Validate against standards like ISO, NIST and CMMC.
- General enterprise? Benchmark tools against frameworks like OWASP Top 10.
Understand regulatory obligations and pick compliant-ready solutions.
Cultural Fit
- Developer-led culture? Empower via self-service security.
- Security-led culture? Enable oversight for risk tolerance comfort.
- Balanced culture? Blend both autonomous security and governance guardrails.
Evaluate operational experience against team preferences.
While core security capabilities prove critical, purpose-built integration with your actual architecture, processes and people proves equally vital for accelerating adoption.
Prioritize options allowing both robust protection and simpler user experiences. Solutions perceived as roadblocks typically fail long-term even with strong security.
Key Takeaways
We find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Software supply chain assaults are exponentially rising in both frequency and impact – threatening brands, customers, governments and society.
Securing the modern software factory warrants elevated priority for security and technology leaders alike right now.
While the path forward teems with complexity, purpose-built solutions now exist to protect across the interconnected landscape we operate within daily. I‘m confident the analysis provided empowers your next steps.
Now is the time for action. Our collective security depends on it.