Modern applications depend on open source libraries, third-party APIs, containers, and cloud services. This speeds development, but it also expands the attack surface, increases legal exposure, and introduces dependencies you can’t always see.
The result? More risk is entering the software supply chain than through custom code alone. Traditional AppSec tools were not designed to address this shift.
That’s why supply chain security has shifted from a technical checklist to a business-level priority.
You build on more than your own code
Today’s apps are assembled from many sources:
- Open source frameworks and packages
- Container images and cloud-native tooling
- APIs and third-party integrations
This reuse accelerates delivery but also introduces risks that traditional testing misses:
- One vulnerable component can compromise dozens of applications
- Incomplete or out-of-date SBOMs complicate audits and due diligence
- License violations and compliance gaps slip past manual reviews
Software supply chain security is not a point-in-time scan, but a continuous discipline across the full lifecycle, from the first package added through production and ongoing patching.
Step 1: Start with visibility
You cannot secure what you cannot see.
Software composition analysis (SCA) provides teams with a full view of open-source usage. Properly executed, it uncovers:
- Direct and transitive dependencies
- Known vulnerabilities and outdated packages
- License obligations and SBOM creation
Integrated SCA reduces the noise created by disconnected tools. It helps security teams focus on what matters most, which applications are affected, who owns them, and which risks require action.
OpenText Core Software Composition Analysis delivers that visibility through built-in license intelligence and SBOM automation.
Step 2: Shift left without slowing down
Security testing that happens late in the cycle leads to bottlenecks, growing issue backlogs, and stalled releases.
A more effective approach is to embed security directly into development workflows:
- Run SAST, SCA, and DAST in CI/CD pipelines
- Treat security checks as routine quality gates
- Provide developers with actionable feedback directly in their tools
OpenText Core Application Security brings all these tests into a single platform, making security a seamless part of the process rather than a blocker.
Over time, this approach supports a mature secure SDLC:
- Define security requirements during design
- Continuously test during development
- Validate before release
- Reassess with each update
Need help getting started? The DevSecOps overview offers a practical starting point.
Step 3: Don’t ignore APIs
APIs often fly under the radar, yet they are central to modern application architectures.
To manage API risk, teams should:
- Inventory all APIs and identify ownership
- Test APIs along with other application components
- View results within the same dashboards
OpenText Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) scans running apps and APIs based on real behavior, not just static definitions. This keeps visibility unified without duplicating tools or workflows.
Step 4: Use AI where it counts
Most organizations don’t struggle with a lack of findings. They struggle with a lack of time.
AI-assisted AppSec helps teams focus by:
- Reducing false positives in SAST scans
- Delivering contextual guidance developers can act on
- Accelerating remediation workflows while maintaining oversight
OpenText Application Security Aviator uses AI to prioritize real risks and streamline response, especially when used with Core SCA and Core AppSec.
Quick check: How mature is your supply chain security?
Use this checklist to assess the maturity of your program:
- We treat Supply chain security as a continuous program
- We have visibility into open source, custom code, and APIs
- We use SCA in conjunction with SAST and DAST
- We integrate security testing into CI/CD
- We actively manage SBOMs, license risk, and zero-day response
- We are using — or evaluating — AI-assisted AppSec for remediation
You don’t need all of this in place today. But maturity starts with visibility and grows through consistent action.
Ready to go deeper?
Explore Securing the Software Supply Chain position paper here.
