Think about you are contemplating a brand new automotive for your loved ones. Earlier than making a purchase order, you consider its security scores, gasoline effectivity, and reliability. You may even take it for a check drive to make sure it meets your wants. The identical method must be utilized to software program and {hardware} merchandise earlier than integrating them into a corporation’s surroundings. Simply as you would not purchase a automotive with out realizing its security options, you should not deploy software program with out understanding the dangers it introduces.
The Rising Menace of Provide Chain Assaults
Cybercriminals have acknowledged that as an alternative of attacking a corporation head-on, they will infiltrate by the software program provide chain—like slipping counterfeit elements into an meeting line. In response to the 2024 Sonatype State of the Software program Provide Chain report, attackers are infiltrating open-source ecosystems at an alarming charge, with over 512,847 malicious packages detected final yr alone—a 156% enhance from the earlier yr. Conventional safety instruments and processes usually miss these threats, leaving organizations unprepared.
One main instance in 2024 was a year-long provide chain assault uncovered within the Python Bundle Index (PyPI). Attackers uploaded malicious packages disguised as professional AI chatbot instruments, hoping to trick builders into integrating them into their initiatives. These packages contained dangerous code designed to steal delicate knowledge and execute distant instructions on contaminated programs. As a result of PyPI is extensively used throughout varied industries, this assault had the potential to compromise 1000’s of purposes earlier than safety researchers at Kaspersky detected and reported the malicious exercise. This incident highlights how attackers are more and more exploiting trusted repositories to distribute malware, reinforcing the necessity for extra in-depth measures when evaluating software program.
A Arms-On Strategy to Threat Evaluation: Product Safety Testing
Organizations want a structured and repeatable option to consider software program and {hardware} dangers earlier than introducing them into their environments. This course of, generally known as Product Safety Testing (PST), is about answering key questions:
- What dangers does this product introduce to my community?
- Ought to we use this product, or is there a safer various?
- If we use it, what mitigations must be put in place to reduce threat?
PST is not nearly scanning for vulnerabilities—it is about understanding how a product behaves in your particular surroundings and figuring out its general threat influence. Given the huge variety of third-party parts utilized in trendy IT, it is unrealistic to scrutinize each software program bundle equally. As a substitute, safety groups ought to prioritize their efforts primarily based on enterprise influence and assault floor publicity. Excessive-privilege purposes that often talk with exterior companies ought to bear product safety testing, whereas lower-risk purposes may be assessed by automated or much less resource-intensive strategies. Whether or not finished earlier than deployment or as a retrospective evaluation, a structured method to PST ensures that organizations concentrate on securing essentially the most important belongings first whereas sustaining general system integrity.
Studying to Suppose Crimson, Act Blue
The SANS SEC568 course is designed to construct sensible abilities in PST. It focuses on black-box testing, a technique that simulates real-world situations the place the supply code is not obtainable. This makes it extremely relevant for evaluating third-party merchandise that organizations haven’t got direct management over. The course follows the precept of Suppose Crimson, Act Blue—by studying offensive ways, organizations can higher defend towards them.
Whereas Product Safety Testing won’t ever stop a breach of a 3rd celebration out of your management, it’s crucial to permit organizations to make knowledgeable selections about their defensive posture and response technique. Many organizations comply with a normal technique of figuring out a necessity, deciding on a product, and deploying it and not using a deep safety analysis. This lack of scrutiny can go away them scrambling to find out the influence when a provide chain assault happens.
By incorporating PST into the decision-making course of, safety groups acquire important documentation, together with dependency mapping, risk fashions, and particular mitigations tailor-made to the expertise in use. This proactive method reduces uncertainty, permitting for quicker and simpler responses when vulnerabilities emerge. Relatively than relying solely on broad business mitigations, organizations with PST documentation can implement focused safety controls that decrease threat earlier than a breach even occurs.
Who leverages Product Safety Testing?
No matter job title, having a powerful basis in product safety testing results in higher safety posture and preparedness throughout the complete group. Whereas the apparent match is product safety testing groups can leverage these methodologies to guage third-party software program in addition to their very own in-house merchandise – product safety testing is not restricted to at least one particular function. This can be a invaluable talent set that enhances varied positions inside a corporation. Safety auditors can use PST to tailor evaluations to a corporation’s distinctive dangers and compliance wants, whereas penetration testers can transcend easy vulnerability scans to investigate unknown protocols and proprietary software program. Utility builders profit by understanding how attackers exploit safety flaws, serving to them write safer code from the beginning, whereas SOC analysts can use these abilities to detect and mitigate threats launched by new software program and {hardware}. Even decision-makers acquire insights from PST, because it helps them make knowledgeable decisions about threat, safety investments, and mitigation methods. It is vital to do not forget that it is unimaginable to detect, mitigate, exploit, or develop what we do not perceive.
To realize hands-on expertise in product safety testing, take into account attending SEC568 in Orlando from April 13-18, 2024. This coaching will present the technical basis wanted to evaluate software program and {hardware} safety successfully. Similar to taking a automotive for a check drive earlier than buying, making use of a structured method to product safety testing permits organizations to completely perceive potential dangers earlier than deployment. By following a repeatable methodology, safety groups can cut back dangers and be higher ready for future threats.
Notice: This text was expertly written and contributed by Douglas McKee, the Govt Director of Menace Analysis at SonicWall, in addition to the lead writer and teacher for SANS SEC568.