Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a formal, machine-readable inventory of software components and dependencies used in building an application. Think of it as a "list of ingredients" that provides transparency into what makes up a piece of software.
Key Components​
An SBOM typically includes:
- Component Names: The names of all software components, libraries, and modules
- Version Information: Specific versions of each component being used
- Supplier Data: Who created/maintains each component
- Dependency Relationships: How different components relate to and depend on each other
- License Information: The licenses governing each component
- Timestamps: When the SBOM was generated
Why SBOMs Matter​
SBOMs have become increasingly important for several reasons:
- Security: They help organizations quickly identify if they're affected by newly discovered vulnerabilities in any components
- Compliance: They assist in tracking license obligations and regulatory requirements
- Supply Chain Management: They provide visibility into software dependencies and potential supply chain risks
- Risk Assessment: They enable better evaluation of potential security and legal risks in software
Regulatory Context​
In 2021, the U.S. Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (14028) made SBOMs a requirement for software vendors working with the federal government, highlighting their growing importance in software security and supply chain risk management.