All software can contain vulnerabilities and introduce supply chain risk. When software systems become more complex, it is important to implement best practices and controls to ensure the integrity of each artifact. In other words, the source code you depend on is the code you use.
A solid plan to ensure security throughout the supply chain as the system grows is essential for addressing future breaches. SLSA provides a clear, consensus-based industry standard for developers and enterprises. It specifies recognizable compliance requirements and protection measures.
SLSA’s design is highly adaptable and based on the broader security ecosystem. Anyone can adopt and implement the framework—you could be a user wanting to ensure the software you use is at a specific SLSA level. It is also useful for developers building an open source project, ensuring their infrastructure is SLSA-compliant. Alternatively, an organization might use SLSA as a guide to secure its internal supply chain and ensure compliance across all dependencies.