Semiconductor Leader Secures Supply Chain with Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Compliance

Background

In a recent engagement, Netwoven partnered with a customer in the semiconductor industry who was seeking to improve their software component visibility, both for vulnerability and patching purposes, but also to achieve and maintain the compliance requirements. They recognized the need for enhanced software supply chain transparency and security, which led to the adoption of the SBOM initiative.

Netwoven was selected as the strategic partner due to their experience in Security, Development, DevOps, and software product development lifecycle.

Approach

The Netwoven team conducted a comprehensive assessment of their existing software development processes, identifying key areas for improvement. Through a tailored SBOM implementation strategy, Netwoven provided the tools and guidance necessary to enhance their software supply chain security. The team took the following steps for the engagement:

Initial Assessment and Stakeholder Alignment

The project began with a thorough assessment of the customer's current software development and supply chain practices. Key activities included:

• Stakeholder Workshops: We conducted workshops with the customer’s engineering, security, and compliance teams to understand their existing processes, challenges, and NIST certification requirements.
• Gap Analysis: A detailed gap analysis was performed to identify deficiencies in current supply chain practices, focusing on areas such as documentation, component traceability, and vulnerability management.
• Requirements Gathering: Specific requirements were documented, aligning the SBOM implementation with the customer’s goals and NIST standards.

Development of a Tailored SBOM Strategy

Based on the assessment, we developed a customized SBOM strategy designed to integrate seamlessly into the customer's existing workflows:

• Component Inventory Creation: We helped the customer establish a comprehensive inventory of all software components, including open-source libraries, third-party modules, and internally developed code.
• Tool Selection and Integration: We recommended and integrated tools to automate the creation and maintenance of SBOMs, ensuring that the process was scalable and sustainable.
• Security and Compliance Mapping: The strategy included mapping software components to known vulnerabilities and compliance checks, aligning with NIST security requirements.

Pilot Implementation and Testing

A pilot implementation was conducted to validate the SBOM strategy in a controlled environment before full-scale rollout:

• Pilot Setup: We set up the SBOM process within a subset of the customer’s development teams, focusing on critical applications with the highest risk exposure.
• Testing and Feedback Loop: The pilot involved continuous testing and refinement based on feedback from the engineering teams, ensuring that the SBOM process was both effective and user-friendly.
• Performance Metrics: Key performance metrics, such as vulnerability reduction and compliance improvements, were tracked to quantify the benefits of the pilot.

Full Rollout and Training

Following the successful pilot, the SBOM process was rolled out across the entire organization, accompanied by targeted training and support:

• Team Training: Customized training sessions were conducted to educate engineering and compliance teams on SBOM best practices, tool usage, and integration points within their workflows.
• Support and Documentation: We provided detailed documentation and ongoing support to address any challenges during the implementation phase, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Optimization: A continuous improvement plan was established to monitor SBOM effectiveness, with periodic reviews and updates to adapt to evolving security and compliance needs.

Achieved Outcomes and Impact

The SBOM project delivered significant benefits, aligning with the customer’s goals and supporting their NIST certification journey:

• Increased Transparency: The customer gained full visibility into their software components, improving their ability to manage and mitigate risks associated with third-party and open-source dependencies.
• Risk Reduction: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities early in the development process, the customer significantly reduced their exposure to potential security breaches.
• Enhanced Compliance: The SBOM strategy provided the necessary documentation and processes required for NIST certification, positioning the customer closer to achieving this critical milestone.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation of SBOM generation and management streamlined compliance efforts, allowing engineering teams to focus on development while maintaining a high standard of security.