Security pros debate ONCD’s push for memory-safe software

TLDR:

• The White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) released a report calling for memory-safe software development to reduce cyberattacks.
• Security leaders emphasize the need for the adoption of memory-safe programming languages to enhance cybersecurity.

Security leaders are discussing ONCD’s call for memory-safe software development to combat cyberattacks. The report highlights the importance of developing future software with memory-safe design to minimize the attack surface in cyberspace. Quazi Nafiul Islam and Chris Wood, prominent security experts, stress the need for companies to prioritize memory-safe programming languages to mitigate cybersecurity risks. They emphasize the challenges associated with implementing memory-safe software but recognize the importance of collaboration and upskilling developers to defend against exploits. The technical community plays a crucial role in this process, and the report serves as an opportunity to drive conversations around software quality and security.