Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

Simple Definition for Beginners:

SCA is a security practice that identifies and manages open-source components and third-party libraries used in software applications to detect vulnerabilities and ensure license compliance.

Common Use Example:

A development team uses SCA tools to scan their software codebase for open-source components, assess their security and licensing risks, and take remedial actions to address vulnerabilities and compliance issues.

Technical Definition for Professionals:

Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is a security and compliance methodology focused on identifying, analyzing, and managing open-source and third-party software components used in software development projects. SCA tools and practices automate the process of inventorying and assessing the security vulnerabilities, license compliance, and dependencies associated with software libraries, frameworks, modules, and packages integrated into applications. SCA solutions perform automated scans, dependency mapping, vulnerability detection, license tracking, and risk assessment to help organizations mitigate security risks, ensure legal compliance with open-source licenses, and maintain supply chain integrity. SCA is essential for managing the complexities of modern software development, where reliance on third-party code and open-source ecosystems is common but can introduce security and legal challenges.