Building a Software Supply Chain Security Program

Implementing SCA effectively requires more than just deploying tools—it demands a comprehensive approach to software supply chain security. Organizations must establish policies defining acceptable risk levels, approved component sources, and remediation timelines. These policies should balance security requirements with development velocity, avoiding overly restrictive rules that developers will circumvent.

Creating and maintaining accurate software bills of materials (SBOMs) provides the foundation for supply chain security. SBOMs document every component in an application, enabling rapid response when new vulnerabilities are discovered. They facilitate communication between organizations about the components in software products. Increasingly, customers require SBOMs from vendors to assess supply chain risks.

Developer education plays a crucial role in SCA success. Teams need to understand why dependency security matters and how their choices impact organizational risk. Training should cover secure dependency selection, the importance of keeping dependencies updated, and how to respond to vulnerability alerts. When developers understand and embrace SCA, it becomes an enabler rather than an obstacle.