Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/22/socket_slurps_40m_to_secure/
Source: The Register
Title: Socket plugs in $40M to strengthen software supply chain
Feedly Summary: Biz aims to scrub unnecessary dependencies from npm packages in the name of security
Security-focused developer Socket announced on Tuesday it has connected with another $40 million in funding to further its efforts to safeguard the software supply chain.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** Socket, a security-focused developer, has secured $40 million in funding to enhance software supply chain security, building on their existing scanning technology for open-source software vulnerabilities. With the release of Socket Optimize, they aim to empower users to manage software dependencies more effectively by offering optimized packages, reducing unnecessary code, and enhancing overall security amidst rising supply chain threats.
**Detailed Description:**
– **Funding and Mission:** Socket has raised a total of $65 million to further develop its scanning technology focused on securing the software supply chain, which involves dependencies in various programming languages, particularly JavaScript/TypeScript.
– **Challenges in Open Source Development:**
– Open-source software relies heavily on dependencies, which come from software registries and could include numerous sub-dependencies. This dependency tree can complicate security assessments, particularly when new, untrusted dependencies are added.
– Notable incidents like the xz and ua-parser-js compromises underline the importance of verifying the trustworthiness of third-party packages.
– **Socket Optimize Solution:**
– Recently launched, this command line interface (CLI) allows npm users to retrieve optimized packages by eliminating unnecessary dependencies and polyfills.
– The aim is to balance the needs of users who prefer minimal code with the functional requirements of libraries.
– **User Control and Security:**
– Socket’s approach emphasizes giving end users more control over how their software dependencies are managed and integrated into applications.
– The company addresses concerns raised by developers regarding unmaintained packages and security alerts, proposing a proactive stance to tackle vulnerabilities even when historical packages become obsolete.
– **Detection and Prevention of Attacks:**
– Socket claims to detect and mitigate over 100 zero-day supply chain attacks weekly, continuously improving its technology by expanding the means of detecting such threats.
– Aboukhadijeh stresses the importance of understanding historical vulnerabilities and proactively establishing rules to catch potential threats.
– **Historical Context:**
– The company was inspired by past significant supply chain attacks like event-stream in 2017, which highlighted vulnerabilities in community-managed code and the potential for malicious contributions within trusted frameworks.
**Practical Implications:**
– For security and compliance professionals, the emergence of tools like Socket Optimize symbolizes a critical evolution in managing software dependencies, which could lead to a more secure development lifecycle.
– Encouraging proactive security measures in package management not only mitigates risk but also increases transparency and accountability within the software supply chain.
– Understanding the dynamics of dependency management and adopting tools that enhance user agency will be vital in maintaining robust security postures in increasingly complex software ecosystems.