CISA boosts open source security; Jen Easterly leads the way

TLDR:

• CISA announced new initiatives at a summit to promote open source ecosystem security
• Actions include collaboration with package repositories, cyber defense information sharing, and more

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently unveiled key actions to promote open source ecosystem security at a two-day Open Source Software Security Summit. The initiatives include close collaboration with package repositories to promote the adoption of the Principles for Package Repository Security framework, which outlines security maturity levels. CISA also launched efforts to enhance cyber defense information sharing and collaboration with open source software infrastructure operators to improve safeguards in the software supply chain. Additionally, the agency plans to publish materials from the summit’s tabletop exercise to share lessons learned with the community.

Several repositories are already aligning with the new security guidelines, with projects like the Rust Foundation implementing Public Key Infrastructure for the Crates.io package repository and the Python Software Foundation adding new providers to PyPI for credential-less publishing. Jen Easterly, director of CISA, emphasized the importance of securing the open source ecosystem, stating its foundational role in critical infrastructure. The agency looks forward to continued collaboration with the open source community to enhance security measures.