What is a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)?

An SBOM (otherwise known as a Software Bill of Materials) is a list that itemizes the various software components, dependencies, and metadata associated with an application. Think of it as a software recipe!

A Software Bill of Materials lists software components, including libraries, frameworks, modules, dependencies, and their versions and sources.

The benefits of implementing an SBOM program include:

• 
  Enhanced security posture
  
• 
  Streamlined vulnerability management
  
• 
  Improved collaboration
  
• 
  Simplified software audits and compliance checks
  

Enhanced security posture

Streamlined vulnerability management

Improved collaboration

Simplified software audits and compliance checks

SBOM formats and standards

Standardized formats make it easier to share SBOM data across the software supply chain. This easy distribution of data promotes transparency and encourages collaboration among different stakeholders.

Well-known SBOM formats include

• 
  Software Package Data Exchange (SPDX)
  
• 
  CycloneDX
  
• 
  Software Identification Tags (SWID)
  

Software Package Data Exchange (SPDX)

CycloneDX

Software Identification Tags (SWID)

What should an SBOM include?

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has created a list of the minimum elements for a Software Bill of Materials. Broadly speaking, these are broken down into three areas: data fields, practices and processes, and automation support.

These minimum elements accommodate a flexible approach to software transparency. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

Data fields

A Software Bill of Materials must include data about software components, e.g,

• 
  Component name
  
• 
  Supplier name
  
• 
  Component version
  
• 
  Unique identifiers
  
• 
  SBOM author and timestamp
  
• 
  Dependency relationships
  

Component name

Supplier name

Component version

Unique identifiers

SBOM author and timestamp

Dependency relationships

This information aims to enable accurate identification and tracking of components throughout the supply chain.

Practices and processes

As per the NTIA guidelines, SBOMs must outline standard practices and procedures for creating, updating, distributing, and accessing the document. In addition, it must also outline how errors will be handled.

Automation support

SBOMs must be machine-readable and capable of automatic generation for continuous data tracking. The standard formats outlined above also make it readable for humans (which is obviously important, too!).

Why do organizations need SBOMs?

The need for SBOMs is being driven by several factors, including

• 
  Ensuring greater software transparency
  
• 
  Managing open-source software and third-party dependencies
  
• 
  Identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities
  
• 
  Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
  

Ensuring greater software transparency

Managing open-source software and third-party dependencies

Identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities

Complying with legal and regulatory requirements

In addition, President Biden’s cybersecurity executive order makes SBOMs a requirement for any federal department, agency, or contractor doing business with the US government. Although this executive order doesn’t apply to all organizations, many of the guidelines outlined — including SBOMs — were quickly adopted by many industries.

In the future, it’s expected that the guidelines will become the new standard for how organizations build, test, secure, and update their software applications, making SBOMs a must-have.

How do you generate SBOMs?

Given their increasing importance, knowing how to generate SBOMs is essential.

Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools, like Finite State, generate SBOMs in just a few clicks, so there’s no need to pour over code for hours! More importantly, by utilizing tools like Finite State, you can continually update the data to ensure that your Software Bill of Materials contains the most up-to-date information on your components and potential security risks.