Guide to Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)

Benefits of using a software bill of materials (SBOM)

• Helps identify vulnerable software components and potential security risks.
• Provides transparency and visibility into the software supply chain.
• Assists in managing licenses and ensuring compliance with open-source and proprietary licensing agreements.
• Helps track and manage dependencies between components.
• Enables effective collaboration and patch management.

Example software bill of materials

A software bill of materials typically includes:

1. Component name
2. Component version
3. License information
4. Dependencies
5. Hashes and signatures
6. Vulnerability information

Tools to create and manage SBOMs

There are automated tools and scripts available to generate and maintain SBOMs for software products. These tools help in efficiently creating an inventory of software components and their versions.

Challenges and limitations of using SBOMs

• Creating and maintaining an SBOM can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
• Dependence on accurate and up-to-date information from component suppliers may be a challenge.
• Identifying vulnerabilities and managing patches requires continuous monitoring and updates.

How SBOMs help companies deal with vulnerabilities?

• SBOMs provide a comprehensive inventory of software components, making it easier to identify vulnerable versions.
• They enable organizations to assess and mitigate potential risks by providing information on known security vulnerabilities.
• By tracking and managing dependencies, organizations can quickly identify and address vulnerabilities in their software systems.