SBOM Explained: How SBOMs Improve Cloud-native Application Security

A staggering 96% of organizations utilize open-source libraries, yet fewer than 50% actively manage the security vulnerabilities within these libraries. Vulnerabilities are welcome mats for breaches from bad actors, and once they've entered your system, the impact can be colossal. A software bill of materials (SBOM) is an important tool for managing the security of open-source software. Here we will explore how SBOMs help organizations understand what’s in their applications, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage overall risk.  
Where Do SBOMs Fit in Your Application Security Program?
Think of an SBOM as a magnifying glass that allows you to get a closer look at what goes on in your cloud-native applications. SBOMs provide a detailed view of open-source components that developers and security professionals can use to understand the security of third-party libraries and dependencies used in an application. With that information, teams can create cyber hygiene campaigns against known…