The European Cybersecurity Organisation (ECSO) has published a Technical Paper on Software Supply Chain Security. This paper examines the software development lifecycle, highlighting current practices, tools, technologies and associated risks.

The contents of this technical paper:

This paper explores the intricate and evolving nature of software development, emphasizing its increasing complexity due to advancements in methodologies, tools, and languages. Despite developers’ efforts to create secure code and adhere to best practices, modern software development heavily relies on third-party contributions and externally provided tools, which introduces significant cybersecurity risks. The paper aims to analyse contemporary software development practices, including the tools and technologies employed, and identify the associated cybersecurity challenges, particularly focusing on the software supply chain and its expanded attack surface. 

A critical aspect discussed is the impact of software supply chain vulnerabilities on cybersecurity, highlighting how compromising upstream components can lead to malicious activities affecting distant environments and stakeholders. The paper underscores the importance of software supply chain security as a key factor in European sovereignty and autonomy. It provides recommendations based on existing frameworks and best practices for development, maintenance, and risk reduction. Additionally, the paper suggests areas for innovation to enhance the security posture of the software development ecosystem, including automation, open-source software development, and techniques to minimise the attack surface.