Kusari’s Michael Lieberman Talks GUAC, SLSA and Securing the Open Source Supply Chain
Jan 7, 2025
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Michael Lieberman, CTO and co-founder of Kusari, dives into the essential world of supply chain security in open source. He shares his journey from programming to leading security initiatives like SLSA and GUAC. Learn about how maintainers can utilize Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to tackle dependency management challenges. Michael also offers practical advice for newcomers to cybersecurity, emphasizing community engagement and the importance of diverse participation in enhancing security practices.
Michael Lieberman emphasizes the necessity of establishing trust through signed documentation and transparency to enhance supply chain security in open source.
The discussion highlights the importance of initiatives like SLSA and GUAC in strengthening software integrity and vulnerability management within the open source ecosystem.
Deep dives
Understanding Supply Chain Security
Supply chain security has emerged as a critical focus within the software development ecosystem, emphasizing the need for developers to ensure that their open source software is secure and trustworthy. The discussion highlights how vital it is for consumers of software to feel confident that appropriate security measures are implemented, which can be validated through signed and attested documentation. This verification process aims to establish robust connections back to software maintainers, underscoring a mutual responsibility for security. Consequently, organizations, particularly in sensitive sectors like finance, are urged to prioritize transparency in their open source contributions to improve security practices across the board.
Salsa and Guac Initiatives
Two significant initiatives in the open source security framework discussed are Salsa and Guac, which focus on improving supply chain integrity and vulnerability management. Salsa aims to establish best practices for securing software build processes and ensuring the authenticity of data generated during these processes. On the other hand, Guac serves as a tool designed to analyze and enrich software bill of materials (SBOMs) along with other supply chain metadata to provide a clearer understanding of potential risks. Together, these initiatives are creating more effective strategies for users to assess and manage vulnerabilities within their software ecosystems.
Engagement in the Open Source Community
Active participation in the open source community is encouraged, especially for those involved in cybersecurity and software development. Engaging with the community not only fosters collaboration but also serves as a vital avenue for contributors to share knowledge and resolve issues collectively. The importance of networking and asking for help is emphasized, as many seasoned professionals in the community are willing to guide newcomers. Additionally, developers are invited to contribute to tools like Guac, regardless of their experience level, because any contribution—from code to documentation—can significantly enhance the community's efforts in addressing security challenges.
CRob is joined by Michael Lieberman, CTO and co-founder of Kusari, about the importance of supply chain security in the open source ecosystem. They discuss Michael's journey in open source, his contributions to projects like SLSA and GUAC and the future of supply chain security.
01:56 - Michael explains how he got into open source
04:10 - The challenges of being a startup within the open source ecosystem
05:38 - Michael digs into his participation with SLSA and GUAC
09:13 - How maintainers can address SBOMs with GUAC
10:56 - Michael’s predictions for supply chain security and dependency management
14:26 - Michael answers CRob’s rapid-fire questions
15:32 - Advice for those entering the cybersecurity or open source development spaces