Are We Thinking About Supply Chain Security All Wrong?
Oct 3, 2024
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Ashley Williams, founder and CEO of axo, discusses the unsettling reliance on unpaid open-source maintainers for crucial software security. She argues that companies often overlook these maintainers while depending on third-party vendors, exacerbating vulnerabilities. Thomas Depierre weighs in on the reluctance of maintainers to be labeled as software suppliers. The conversation delves into the pressures on maintainers and the need for sustainable funding models in the open-source realm, emphasizing the importance of integrating maintainer perspectives into supply chain strategies.
The podcast emphasizes the need for improved engagement between companies and open-source maintainers to enhance software supply chain security.
It discusses the evolving role of open-source contributors amid corporate involvement, highlighting the challenges and pressures they face in maintaining independence.
Deep dives
Challenges in Software Distribution
Distributing software remains a significant challenge, even in 2024, due to the complexity of managing different operating systems and deployment environments. A tool named Cargo-dist, which is being renamed to Dist, aims to streamline the distribution process for software developers by allowing them to select multiple platforms and package managers with a simple checklist approach. This tool focuses on alleviating the common installation issues that developers face, such as compatibility with OpenSSL and glibc versions, enabling creators to focus on development rather than troubleshooting installation problems. By addressing the distribution hassles in one solution, it seeks to foster a more efficient development environment.
Critique of Software Supply Chain Security
Many open source contributors take issue with how software supply chain security is framed, arguing that it falsely categorizes them as suppliers within a contractual relationship. This critique stems from the perception that open source developers do not have obligations to consumers, primarily due to the nature of the MIT license and the provision of software 'as is.' The rejection of this label highlights an important debate, as many maintainers are frustrated with the industry's tendency to create third-party security companies that operate independently from the actual developers. Instead of engaging open source maintainers, companies often turn to these third-party solutions, which may fail to adequately address security vulnerabilities within the software produced.
Evolution and Challenges in Open Source Governance
The conversation about open source development has evolved over time, transitioning from an anti-corporate sentiment to a structure that increasingly accommodates business involvement in software projects. This shift has expanded the definition of openness to include governance practices, quality certifications, and compliance measures, but has also placed additional burdens on maintainers. As open source software becomes foundational to modern tech, the responsibilities of maintainers have multiplied, and many are struggling to sustain their roles amid rising demands. The balance has started to tilt towards corporate sponsorships governing open source projects, raising concerns about long-term independence and the authenticity of open collaboration.
Future Directions for Open Source Monetization
Movements toward monetizing open source projects are gaining traction as they explore diverse business models. Examples such as the Red Hat model show how open source projects can thrive when they package their software as a commercial product rather than selling the software itself. This approach allows maintainers to offer stability, compliance, or specialized services as profitable options for corporate partners, ultimately improving the sustainability of open source initiatives. There is optimism that as developers recognize the value and need for maintainers in the open source ecosystem, these relationships will evolve into more structured agreements, ensuring the viability of open source software in a commercial landscape.
In a New Stack Makers episode, Ashley Williams, founder and CEO of axo, highlights how the software world depends on open-source code, which is largely maintained by unpaid volunteers. She likens this to a CVS relying on volunteer-run shipping companies, pointing out how unsettling that might be for customers. The conversation focuses on open-source maintainers’ reluctance to be seen as "suppliers" of software, an idea explored in a 2022 blog post by Thomas Depierre. Many maintainers reject the label, as there is no contractual obligation to support the software they provide.
Williams critiques the industry's response to this, noting that instead of involving maintainers in software supply chain security, companies have relied on third-party vendors. However, these vendors have no relationship with the maintainers, leading to increased vulnerabilities. Williams advocates for better engagement with maintainers, especially at build time, to improve security. She also reflects on the growing pressures on maintainers and the underappreciation of release teams.
Learn more from The New Stack about open source software supply chain