## SBOMs Get a CISA Boost, But Defenders Still Need More
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently dropped some updated guidance on Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs), and while it’s a welcome move towards making these crucial documents more practical for those on the front lines of cyber defense, experts are pointing out that it’s not a complete victory.
Think of an SBOM as an ingredient list for your software. It tells you exactly what components, libraries, and dependencies are inside a piece of software. This is incredibly valuable for defenders, allowing them to quickly identify vulnerabilities lurking within their systems.
CISA’s updated rules are aiming to make these “ingredient lists” more standardized and, therefore, more useful. This is a solid step in the right direction, offering clearer guidelines and encouraging better practices.
**However, the consensus among cybersecurity experts is that while good, these updates don’t go far enough.** There are still significant gaps that need to be addressed to truly unlock the full potential of SBOMs for cyber defenders.
**So, what’s missing from the menu?**
While the specifics of the expert critiques vary, the general sentiment revolves around several key areas:
* **Granularity and Depth:** Current SBOMs, even with updates, might still lack the detailed information needed to pinpoint the exact location and context of a vulnerable component. Defenders need to know not just *that* a component is present, but *where* and *how* it’s being used to effectively patch or mitigate risks.
* **Actionability:** Simply knowing about a vulnerability is one thing; knowing how to *act* on that information is another. Experts are calling for SBOMs to be more directly tied to actionable intelligence, perhaps by integrating with vulnerability databases or providing clear remediation pathways.
* **Automation and Integration:** For SBOMs to be truly effective in real-time defense, they need to be seamlessly integrated into existing security workflows and tools. Manual processes or siloed data hinder rapid response.
* **Broader Adoption and Enforcement:** While CISA’s guidance is a push, widespread adoption and some form of enforcement or incentive will be necessary for these updated rules to have a truly impactful effect across the industry.
**The Bottom Line:**
CISA’s efforts to improve SBOM utility are commendable and represent progress. However, the cybersecurity community is highlighting that this is just one course in a much larger meal. For SBOMs to become the powerful defensive tools they have the potential to be, further enhancements are needed to ensure they provide the depth, actionability, and seamless integration that defenders require to stay ahead of evolving threats.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the conversation around making SBOMs truly work for cyber defense is far from over.
**What are your thoughts on the CISA updates? Do you think they go far enough? Let us know in the comments below!**
[Source](https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/cisas-new-sbom-guidelines-mixed-reviews)
