6 Software Composition Analysis (SCA) best practices

Open source software is the foundation of modern application development, enabling teams to build and innovate faster. However, with great flexibility comes significant security challenges. Open source dependencies introduce vulnerabilities and licensing risks that can impact your entire software supply chain. Successful organizations adopt Software Composition Analysis (SCA) best practices that enhance security while keeping developer workflows efficient. This guide outlines six essential best practices to help you maximize the benefits of SCA while minimizing risks.

1. Find a developer-friendly tool (and show developers how it helps them)

Developers are busy writing code. They have to think holistically, design efficiently, and iterate quickly. An SCA tool that isn’t developer-friendly will slow down your developers’ workflow, so they won’t be inclined to use it. A developer-friendly SCA tool must be easy to set up and use. It should also integrate simply with existing SDLC development workflows and tools as early as possible (like version control tools and IDEs). 

After you choose a tool, educate your developers about why SCA matters and how it can help them. Developers who don’t consider security their responsibility may resist taking it on. Help them understand that thinking about security from the beginning and integrating security checks into their workflow will save them time later by preventing the need for code rewrites (to incorporate security fixes). Code built securely the first time won’t need to be rebuilt!

2. Understand dependencies

Open source packages contain two kinds of dependencies: direct and transitive. A direct dependency is a package you include in your own project; a transitive (indirect) dependency is a package used by one of your direct dependencies. You can think of this like a nested tree: your packages contain dependencies, and those packages contain dependencies… and so on.

Analyses show that 80% of vulnerabilities in open source packages exist in transitive dependencies! This means that most vulnerabilities in your code are contained in (nested) dependencies you probably didn’t know you were using. A good SCA tool should accurately inspect all of the dependencies in your code and should be able to identify and inspect transitive dependencies. Awareness of the depth and complexity of the open source packages used in your code helps you ensure that good vulnerability detection happens at every level. 

3. Automate scans and identify actionable fixes

A good SCA tool allows you to run automated scans at regular intervals. Take advantage of this! Set up proactive and continuous monitoring of your code. Automated scans provide actionable alerts about where vulnerabilities are and how to fix them. Carefully consider the direction your SCA tool provides regarding fixing vulnerabilities, and make sure that your developers feel confident applying fixes in that direction.

4. Integrate SCA into your CI/CD pipeline

Your SCA tool shouldn’t represent a stopping point on your path from development to testing to production. You should be able to integrate SCA scans into your CI/CD pipeline, so identifying and fixing vulnerabilities becomes a functional piece of your software development and build process. Integrating your SCA tool with the rest of your pipeline also makes it easier for developers to adjust to a culture where code security is part of their daily workflow.

5. Consider the power of reports and SBoM capabilities

Many organizations—including the US federal government—require the inclusion of a software bill of materials (SBoM) report when they purchase a piece of software. Providing a detailed SBoM with your product shows that you understand the value of tracking every component of your application.

Clear reports on your security scans and fixes are also powerful. Providing detailed reports on your security practices and a number of fixed vulnerabilities shows your commitment to security (and strengthens your market position).

6. Strengthen security policies and improve license compliance

Having clear visibility into the open source packages your developers use will help you create policies that define and enforce your organization’s security guidelines. You can use the knowledge you gain through vulnerability scans to create guardrails for your developers, guiding them to use open source packages with security in mind.

While keeping track of the open source code is important for application security, keeping track of open source licenses is crucial for compliance! Licenses define the legal terms of usage for open source packages. Use your SCA tool to get insight into your open source components' license terms and conditions. As you build security policies, you can include specifications encouraging developers to embrace license compliance early in the software development lifecycle.

By definition, open source projects are public and visible to all. Malicious actors included. Any vulnerability discovered and fixed in them is implicitly exposed for attackers to find. The more popular the open source project, the more attractive the package will be as the impact of an attack is wider. Going back to the Equifax breach mentioned above as an example, the open source package used for the attack—Java’s Apache Struts library—is used by many applications, making the attack notorious for its wide blast radius.

Of course, organizations consuming open source do so “at their own risk,” as there is no vendor to notify them about flaws, nor is there a signed contract that lets them shed the responsibility. The responsibility for keeping these components secure sits entirely with the consumer.

Snyk Software Composition Analysis solutions

Snyk provides comprehensive SCA solutions designed to help organizations implement these best practices effectively. Snyk Open Source focuses on empowering developers to find and fix vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies directly within their workflows. With seamless integration into IDEs, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines, Snyk enables continuous monitoring and automated remediation. Its robust vulnerability database and prioritization capabilities ensure developers address the most critical issues first. Additionally, Snyk provides detailed reporting and SBoM generation, helping organizations meet compliance requirements and demonstrate their commitment to security. By leveraging Snyk's SCA, organizations can strengthen their security posture, improve license compliance, and foster a culture of security throughout the development lifecycle.