Softwarelieferketten

Softwarelieferketten, also known as software supply chains, refer to the entire process and ecosystem involved in creating, delivering, and maintaining software. This encompasses everything from the initial code development to the deployment and ongoing updates of software applications. It includes the various components, tools, libraries, and services used throughout the software development lifecycle, as well as the people and organizations involved in these stages.

The concept has gained significant attention due to increasing concerns about security vulnerabilities and potential disruptions. A compromised element within the software supply chain can have widespread repercussions, affecting numerous downstream users and systems. This highlights the critical importance of securing each link in the chain.

Key aspects of a software supply chain include source code repositories, build tools, package managers, third-party libraries and components, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and deployment infrastructure. Each of these elements presents potential entry points for malicious actors or sources of errors.

Securing software supply chains involves implementing a range of practices and technologies. This can include code signing, dependency scanning for known vulnerabilities, software bill of materials (SBOM) generation to understand all included components, secure coding practices, access controls, and robust testing procedures. The goal is to ensure the integrity, authenticity, and security of the software from its origin to its end-use.