Strengthening Software Infrastructure Networks: An Inside Look at Qualys' Software Composition Analysis Enhancements
Qualys Software Composition Analysis (SwCA) is revolutionizing the way organizations manage open-source risks, shifting the focus from a purely security-centric approach to a business-aligned decision-making process.
Traditional Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools, designed for a different era, struggle to keep pace with today's large-scale hybrid production environments and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes. Qualys SwCA, on the other hand, is specifically tailored to meet these demands.
SBOM Generation for Transparent and Trustworthy Software Supply Chains
The expansion of SwCA addresses a critical visibility gap in software supply chain security, empowering teams to monitor and mitigate risk in foundational infrastructure that was previously out of reach. In an increasingly interconnected world, this is crucial, especially for global organizations across industries that rely heavily on complex software ecosystems.
According to recent predictions, by 2025, companies most likely to be affected by software supply chain attacks are those in critical infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing (OT/IoT environments), and enterprise IT sectors. Organizations facing cybersecurity workforce shortages and digital transformation challenges may be more vulnerable.
Closing the Risk Gap in Software Supply Chains
The annual cost of software supply chain attacks is projected to hit $60 billion by the end of 2025, up from $46 billion in 2023. By the same year, Gartner predicts that 45% of global organizations will have experienced a software supply chain attack, a threefold increase since 2021.
To combat these rising threats, SwCA's enhancements now include first-class support for C/C++ binaries, enabling DevSecOps teams to analyze ELF and PE binary formats without requiring access to source code. This advancement is a significant step towards closing the risk gap in software supply chains.
SwCA's Enhancements Reflect a Shift in Approach
Attackers are increasingly targeting build pipelines, open-source dependencies, and AI/ML software supply chains by leveraging phishing, social engineering, and increasingly complex malware. In response, SwCA's enhancements reflect a shift in how leading organizations are approaching software risk as a business problem, not just a security one.
From Inventory to Exposure: The Introduction of Software Atlas
Finally, Qualys SwCA introduces Software Atlas, a native vulnerability management solution offering deeper insights into dependencies by mapping applications to their underlying components. This tool allows organizations to move from simply inventorying their software components to understanding their exposure and taking proactive measures to mitigate risk.
Despite these advancements, only one in three organizations feels adequately prepared to defend against the threats posed by software supply chain risks. With the stakes higher than ever, it's clear that tools like Qualys SwCA will play a crucial role in safeguarding our increasingly interconnected world.
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