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 Information Technology Laboratory
      Executive Order 14028,  Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity
    
      
  Software Supply Chain Security Guidance
                            Expand or Collapse
          Software Security in Supply Chains
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Guidance, Purpose, Scope, and Audience
                                  EO-Critical Software and Security Measures for EO-Critical Software
                                  Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Users
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Attesting to Conformity with Secure Software Development Practices
                                  Software Verification
                                  Evolving Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
                                              Enhanced Vendor Risk Assessments
                                              Open Source Software Controls
                                              Vulnerability Management
                                  Additional Existing Industry Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices
                                  FAQs
                      Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Purchasers
                      Critical Software
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Critical Software Definition
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Introduction
                                              Background & Approach
                                              Definition & Explanatory Material
                                              FAQs
                                  Security Measures for Critical Software Use
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Introduction
                                              Purpose & Scope
                                              Security Measures for EO-Critical Software Use
                                              FAQs
                      Software Verification
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Introduction
                                  Background & Approach
                                  Recommended Minimum Standard for Vendor or Developer Verification of Code
                                  FAQs
          Cybersecurity Labeling for Consumers
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          Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling Pilots: The Approach and Contributions
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          Cybersecurity @ NISTSoftware Security in Supply Chains: Vulnerability Management

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Vulnerabilities are discovered in a variety of sources. Developers of software may find security bugs in already-deployed code. Security researchers and penetration testers may find vulnerabilities by scanning or manually testing software and accessible systems. Effectively identifying, triaging, remediating, and reporting vulnerabilities is a central pillar of the EO. In its discussion of Zero Trust architecture, the EO recognizes that the discovery of vulnerabilities is inevitable, and federal agencies’ strategies should focus on how to manage those vulnerabilities efficiently and comprehensively.

Agencies should adhere to NIST’s existing Vulnerability Disclosure Program guidance in Draft NIST SP 800-216, *Recommendations for Federal Vulnerability Disclosure Guidelines*, which addresses reporting, coordinating, publishing, and receiving information about security vulnerabilities. They can also impose a range of recommended activities and capabilities from suppliers to enable more comprehensive and timely management of vulnerabilities.

**Foundational Capabilities**

Demonstrate the adoption of SSDF V1.1 in the development of software (e.g., effective change control, automation, robust CI/CD, and DevSecOps practices to mitigate and report common vulnerabilities in accordance with RV practices).
	Establish a formal, publicly available means by which the public can notify the supplier of uncovered vulnerabilities.[1]
	Adhere to ISO/IEC 30111, *Information technology — Security techniques — Vulnerability handling processes* and/or ISO/IEC 29147, *Information technology — Security techniques — Vulnerability disclosure*, as appropriate.**Sustaining Capabilities**

Adhere to a coordinated vulnerability disclosure (CVD) practice to ensure that federal departments and agencies are able to remediate vulnerabilities in a timely manner.[2]
	Integrate SBOMs, vulnerability databases, and reporting mechanisms to ensure that federal departments and agencies rapidly receive notification of recently released vulnerabilities.**Enhancing Capabilities**

Engage suppliers that staff defined product security incident response teams (PSIRT) and/or internal research teams dedicated to the identification, triage, and remediation of vulnerabilities across the supplier’s product/service suite in support of SSDF V1.1 Prepare the Organization (PO) and RV practices.[3]
	Buy from suppliers that utilize a formal bug bounty program to incentivize the discovery and proactive remediation of vulnerabilities before adversaries are able to utilize them, where feasible and legally appropriate.-----------------
[1] GitLab. (2021). NIST Position Paper: Area #5.

[2] Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute. (2021). CERT/CC Comments on Standards and Guidelines to EnhanceSoftware Supply Chain Security (Questions 2-5).

[3] Synopsys. (2021). Guidelines for software integrity chains and provenance.

**Content:**

Introduction
	Guidance, Purpose, Scope, and Audience
	EO-Critical Software and Security Measures for EO-Critical Software
	Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Users

	Attesting to Conformity with Secure Software Development Practices
	Software Verification
	Evolving Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices

	Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
		Enhanced Vendor Risk Assessments
		Open Source Software Controls
		Vulnerability Management
	Additional Existing Industry Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices
	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  Information technology and Cybersecurity

    
    Created May 3, 2022, Updated May 5, 2022
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