Globally, 82% of IT leaders are choosing to work with vendors who contribute to the open source community. Furthermore, 34% of organizations will adopt enterprise open source within the next two years. This reflects how integral open source software has become to the operational side of things for businesses. However, there are security risks that must be understood and mitigated.
A fundamental concern regarding open source security centers on the contributors themselves. Unlike proprietary software, the open source model allows anyone to contribute, which can potentially open avenues for malicious activity. However, this risk is mitigated by quality assurance processes and stringent review systems. Open source communities are often vigilant, detecting and resolving issues swiftly. However, single contributor projects pose a threat. If there is only a single individual that contributes to a project, then it could pose a significant threat.
Considered Approach
Organizations must, therefore, approach open source solutions with caution. Though it would be misguided to assume all open source is insecure, due diligence is necessary. Companies should consider the reputation of the vendor or organization backing the project. Is there a reputable name like Red Hat or SUSE behind the software? Trustworthy vendors have proven repositories from which companies can securely acquire open source software.
In the complex ecosystem of open source, it is crucial to keep track of the components your company uses. Various solutions exist that can provide visibility into your open source components, alerting you to potential security concerns or issues with quality standards. Implementing a centralized system within your organization to store and scan these artifacts is a proactive approach to managing potential vulnerabilities.
Return the Favor
Security in the open source realm is a two-way street. Vendors can provide security updates, but these are only effective if clients apply them. It’s essential for clients to be proactive, providing feedback about bugs or other issues to the vendor. Similarly, vendors should maintain transparency about potential security vulnerabilities. Companies using open source should also adhere to vendors’ prescribed methods for running the software, thereby mitigating potential risks.
Some tips to help determine the potential risk level of an open source project can involve considering the age of the software, the frequency of bug fixes, the size of the community, and the presence of documentation regarding software updates. This is where partnering with a well-known open source software enterprise vendor can be good as they typically roll out patches and updates consistently.
It is also worth considering the benefits of contributing to the open source community. More than just an act of giving back, organizations that contribute help enhance the quality and security of the software. The more individuals and companies that do this, the stronger and more robust the open source community becomes.
Even though open source software does come with security considerations, these risks can be managed effectively with the right strategies. By fostering a proactive approach to security and engaging with the open source community, local businesses can harness the power of open source while keeping their digital infrastructure secure.
By Muggie van Staden, CEO at Obsidian Systems