Mitigating the two-pronged risk chain of open source software (OSS) compliance and security is a critical challenge for modern businesses and software developers. The surge in open source projects, as highlighted in GitHub’s ‘State of the Octoverse’ report, signifies the growing importance of OSS in the software development landscape. However, this increased involvement in OSS brings potential legal hazards and security concerns. Let’s explore practical strategies to effectively manage these issues.

Risk-Chain Link 1 — Compliance:

To avoid legal battles and compliance issues related to OSS licenses, SaaS companies and developers should start by gaining a deep understanding of OSS licenses and compliance requirements.

Understanding OSS Licenses: OSS licenses define the terms and conditions under which open source software can be used, modified, and distributed. Failing to comply with these licenses can lead to legal consequences. There are two general categories of OSS licenses:

1. Permissive Licenses: These licenses allow you to modify OSS code and create proprietary derivatives without sharing them with the public. Examples include MIT, Apache, and BSD licenses.

2. Restrictive Licenses (Copyleft): These licenses require that any modifications or derivatives of the OSS code must also be open source and share the same rights. The GNU General Public License (GPL) is a common example.

Choosing the Right License: Selecting the appropriate license for your project is crucial, as changing it later can be difficult and expensive. Make sure your choice aligns with your project’s goals and philosophy.

Scenario 1 — Derivative/Distributed Works: If you use open source code without proper compliance under a restrictive license like GPL, you may inadvertently open your proprietary product to public distribution, reproduction, and modification.

Scenario 2 — License Less: Using open source code without any license or proper authorization can lead to copyright violations and legal action, as seen in cases involving companies like Cisco-Linksys, Samsung, and Best Buy.

Risk-Chain Link 2 — Hackers/Breaches/Malware:

Security is a major concern in the world of open source software. Hackers and vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches and other security threats. A recent proof-of-concept attack demonstrated the potential risks associated with open source software supply chain vulnerabilities.

Vulnerabilities: Every once in a while, novel software vulnerabilities can lead to supply chain disruptions and data breaches. An example is the attack on multiple tech firms, which exploited open source software vulnerabilities.

International Data Privacy Convergence: The global trend is moving towards imposing rigorous cybersecurity standards, frequent security testing, and continuous monitoring to protect sensitive data. Data privacy laws like GDPR, CPA, and SHIELD Act are leading the way.

Practical Implementations and Preventions:

CloudDefense CI/CD Tool:

• CloudDefense is a CI/CD compliance and protection tool designed to cover the entire agile development process.

• It helps prevent compliance oversights and security vulnerabilities by continuously scanning code for open source libraries and ensuring compliance with licensing obligations.

Automatically Detect Conflicts:

• CloudDefense’s Software Composition Analysis (SCA) feature searches for open source libraries in your code, helping you identify potential compliance issues and legal risks.

Ever-Lasting Compliance:

• Compliance and security are ongoing processes. CloudDefense helps you stay compliant throughout your product’s lifecycle, avoiding legal fines and revenue loss.

Speed Compliance Without Risk Trade-Offs:

• Integrating CI/CD workflows with CloudDefense speeds up compliance while maintaining security.

Superior Threat Assessments:

• CloudDefense provides advanced threat assessments that go beyond traditional NVD-based scanners, delivering real-time vulnerability information and security fixes.

Superior vFeed Engine:

• CloudDefense uses the vFeed engine to track vulnerabilities from various sources, helping you prioritize and remediate security threats efficiently.

AIRTIGHT Shared Management:

• CloudDefense offers shared reporting to help both SecOps and Compliance teams proactively address OSS vulnerabilities, internal application risks, and legal compliance issues.

Visual Roadmap:

• Visualized compliance checklists and steps help ensure source code packages are correctly provided and meet licensing obligations.

In conclusion, managing the risks associated with OSS compliance and security requires a multifaceted approach that includes understanding OSS licenses, choosing the right license, continuous monitoring, and using tools like CloudDefense to automate compliance and security checks. By proactively addressing these challenges, organizations can navigate the complexities of OSS while minimizing legal and security risks.