Prioritizing security: Lessons from FreeBSD’s proactive approach

Use these best practices from FreeBSD's security strategies to fortify your open source projects.

Security is critical to the success of any open source project, particularly as cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated. As open source software gains prominence, the need for proactive security becomes more urgent. FreeBSD‘s security practices offer key insights into how projects can address these challenges. At All Things Open (ATO) 2024, numerous sessions will highlight how to implement these strategies to enhance your project’s security posture.

The need for proactive security in open source

According to the 2023 Snyk and Linux Foundation report on open source supply chain security, attackers are increasingly targeting open source software. While open source projects are celebrated for their transparency, this same openness presents an attack surface that can be exploited if security is not prioritized. FreeBSD has addressed this challenge through continuous monitoring, regular code audits, and a strong incident response system.

At ATO 2024, several sessions will help you understand how to implement similar measures. For instance, Stephen Augustus from Cisco will present “OpenSSF scorecard at scale: Raising the bar for security in open source,” which explores how to assess and improve your project’s security. FreeBSD has used similar principles, continuously improving its security by identifying vulnerabilities through regular assessments.

Ceora Ford’s session, “Keep your users and developers safe and happy with passwordless authentication,” discusses how passwordless systems reduce attack surfaces. FreeBSD has implemented similar strategies by reducing unnecessary access points and minimizing risk.

Learning from FreeBSD’s approach to SBOMs

As part of the security hardening investments made by the Sovereign Tech Fund (STF), FreeBSD is adopting Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs), which allow projects to track all components used in software builds. This transparency is critical for managing vulnerabilities in third-party dependencies. At ATO 2024, Cortez Frazier Jr. will lead a session titled “The why and how of SBOMs for open source projects,” providing actionable insights into implementing SBOMs in your own project.

Make security a priority at ATO 2024

The security track at ATO 2024 offers several sessions where developers can learn practical ways to secure their projects. From SBOM implementation to innovative authentication techniques, these discussions can equip you with the knowledge to improve your project’s security, just as FreeBSD does. By attending these sessions, you can ensure that your open source project remains secure, trusted, and sustainable.

To learn more about FreeBSD’s proactive security initiatives, visit the FreeBSD Foundation’s blog.