In contemporary development practices, it has become uncommon for organizations to exclusively craft software code from scratch when creating bespoke software applications.

1. Software composition analysis in business
In contemporary development practices, it has become uncommon for organizations to
exclusively craft software code from scratch when creating bespoke software applications.
Instead, software developers commonly leverage open source software (OSS) components
and third-party frameworks, readily accessible online, to significantly expedite the
development process and minimize time-to-market. In fact, more than 70% of software
applications incorporate open source components.
Nevertheless, the utilization of open source software introduces notable risks to software
applications, including:
1. Common Vulnerabilities & Exposures (CVEs): These vulnerabilities pose security risks
that can compromise the integrity of the software.
2. Intellectual Property (IP) and Open Source Licensing Requirements: Legal risks may
arise due to the need to comply with open source licensing terms and potential
conflicts with intellectual property rights.
3. Obsolete Software Components: The inclusion of outdated software elements may
give rise to operational risks, impacting the overall functionality and performance of
the application.
Historically, organizations manually tracked open source components with spreadsheets, but
this became impractical as applications and components multiplied. To address this,
organizations came up with Software Composition Analysis (SCA) products that would

2. automate the analysis and management of open source risk, offering a more efficient
solution for organizations dealing with numerous applications and components.
What is Software Composition Analysis?
Software composition analysis provides a secure means for developers to utilize open source
packages, mitigating potential vulnerabilities and legal issues for organizations.
In contemporary software development, open source components play a prevalent role,
comprising a significant portion of modern applications' codebases. This approach
accelerates development by allowing developers to leverage pre-existing, community-vetted
code. Nevertheless, it introduces inherent risks that necessitate careful consideration.
Why is software composition analysis important?
The significance of Software Composition Analysis (SCA) lies in the security, speed, and
reliability it provides. Manual tracking of open source code falls short in coping with the vast
volume of open source content. The rise of cloud-native and intricate applications
emphasizes the necessity for robust and dependable SCA tools. With the rapid pace of
development in DevOps, organizations require security solutions that can keep up, and
automated SCA tools precisely fulfill that need.
The Benefits of Software Composition Analysis
Teams should stay informed about the state of their application environments. Software
composition analysis plays a crucial role in mitigating risks associated with open source
components by offering timely feedback on license compliance and vulnerabilities. Achieving
a 100% patch rate might be challenging, but understanding the risk and assessing the cost of
addressing a vulnerability contribute to enhancing overall security posture.
The future of Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
The future of Software Composition Analysis (SCA) holds promise in shaping a more secure
and efficient software development landscape. With the continuous growth of open source
usage, SCA is anticipated to evolve with advanced capabilities, providing comprehensive
insights into license compliance, vulnerabilities, and dependencies. As the industry
embraces rapid development methodologies, SCA is poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring
the resilience and reliability of software applications, fostering a secure digital future.

3. AUTHOURS BIO:
With Ciente, business leaders stay abreast of tech news and market insights that help them level up
now,
Technology spending is increasing, but so is buyer’s remorse. We are here to change that. Founded on
truth, accuracy, and tech prowess, Ciente is your go-to periodical for effective decision-making.
Our comprehensive editorial coverage, market analysis, and tech insights empower you to make
smarter decisions to fuel growth and innovation across your enterprise.
Let us help you navigate the rapidly evolving world of technology and turn it to your advantage.