A software bill of materials (SBOM) is a complete list of the software components that make up a product or system. It includes information about each component, such as its name, version, and licensing information.

The SBOM is an important tool for managing software development projects. It helps developers and project managers track which software components are required, and it can also be used to ensure that all licenses are compliant.

In this article, we will explain the importance of a SBOM for your organisation. We will also provide a template that you can use to create your own SBOM.

What Is A Software Bill of Materials

A software bill of materials (SBOM) is an essential document for businesses and organisations in the software industry. It is a comprehensive list that includes the exact items, components, and versions of the software used in a particular product. It also includes the licenses of these components, allowing the organisation to know exactly what software is being used, and that the organisation is using it legally.

A SBOM also allows developers and project managers to arrange for the necessary software to be in place before the product is released. Furthermore, it helps organisations keep track of an up-to-date inventory of software components within their products.

For security-sensitive organisations, a SBOM is a special item that must be kept secure, as it contains sensitive information. Not only can it be used to track the software components used but it can also be used by hackers to gain information about a software product and find vulnerable targets. This can lead to devastating security issues, so a SBOM should not be shared outside the organisation.

Why An SBOM Is Important

A software bill of materials (SBOM) is an important tool for organisations. It provides organisations with a complete record of software used in product development, including versions, licenses, and components, to maintain up-to-date information about their products. This helps organisations to identify any security risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them.

The SBOM also enables organisations to keep track of the updates that they need to make to ensure compliance with industry regulations. Additionally, a SBOM gives organisations an inventory of resources they need to develop their products, meaning they can ensure they have the necessary resources in place before they release the product.

Finally, a SBOM helps organisations to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Their software can be deployed quickly, with minimal manual effort, saving organisations time and money. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of vulnerabilities, which can have costly impacts on business operations.

How To Create An SBOM

Creating a SBOM for your organisation is not a difficult process. There are various tools and services available that will help you to create and manage a SBOM, enabling you to track all of the necessary components and ensure that they are up to date.

One of the first steps is to accurately identify all of the software used in the development of the product. This includes anything from operating systems, to middleware and third-party libraries. Following this, you need to analyse and categorise the software and keep a log or database of them.

By using a software bill of materials and inventory management system, as well as a version control system, you can better track software components and keep track of what you need to monitor and update in your products.Automated SBOM and inventory management tools can help you to quickly find any software components that require updating. Additionally, many of these tools provide automated notifications, so you are always aware of when updates are needed.

Overall, the use of an effective SBOM can provide organisations with attested certainty and help ensure that their software products comply with industry regulations and security requirements.

What To Include In An SBOM

It is essential to include the right information within your Software Bill of Materials in order to be able to accurately identify, track, and update software components. At a minimum, the SBOM should include the following information:

• Component name: Each component should have an accurately listed name and version.
• Component description: This should include the purpose of the component, and how it is used in the product.
• Component licenses and licenses of any dependencies: This should include the associated licenses, and what those licenses mean for the product or components.
• Component source code version: This should include the version of the source code of the component.
• Author and maintainer details: This should include information about the author(s) and maintainer(s), and contact details in case there is a need for more information or modifications.
• Creation and modification dates: This should include the timestamp related to when the component was created, when it was last modified, and when the next version is due.
• Hash value: This should include some form of cryptographic hash value of the component, which helps to verify that the component is authentic and up-to-date.

By ensuring that the important details of your software components are clearly listed within your SBOM, you can ensure that you are able to make informed decisions, monitor the stability and security of your products, and update existing components in a timely manner.

How Often To Update Your SBOM

It is recommended to update your software bill of materials regularly. Software components tend to change quickly, and you need to keep up with these changes to ensure the security, stability, and reliability of your products.

The frequency with which you should update your SBOM will depend on the type of products that you are developing and the release cycle of your software. For example, if you are developing a web application which is updated every week or month, then you should review your SBOM regularly and update it with any newly added or modified components.

On the other hand, if you are developing products which are released only once in a year or so, then you should review and update your SBOM after each major release.

Regardless of the type of software you are developing and the release cycles you have in place, reviewing and updating your SBOM regularly is essential to ensure your products are secure, stable and reliable.

Where To From Here

The software bill of materials is an essential tool for software developers and organisations. It provides a detailed list of all the components that are used in the software development process. This allows organisations to better understand the source of their software, evaluate its security, and ensure stability and reliability of their products.

It is important to review and update your software bill of materials regularly in order to identify any changes in software components and take the necessary steps to ensure the security, stability, and reliability of your products.

Having an accurate, up to date SBOM is a crucial part of any software development process and will help organisations ensure their software is secure, stable, and reliable for years to come.