Managing dependencies and ensuring the security of software can be challenging in today’s fast-paced software development landscape due to the implementation of modern development methodologies like CI/CD, microservices and continuous updates. As software grows, the complexity of maintaining dependencies increases, leading to an increase in technical debt—an accumulation of outdated, inefficient, unused, or vulnerable dependencies that hampers future development and its maintenance and makes the software bloated. A strategic approach involving Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and tools like Cryptosoft’s OWASP Dependency Track Managed Service can significantly mitigate this issue.

Understanding Technical Debt

Technical debt occurs when dependencies are pulled in from open source or third parties to accelerate software delivery. The issue is these dependencies are potentially not removed when future development activities codify the capabilities provided by them. This leads to dependencies remaining in the code which are not exercised but that potentially could expose vulnerabilities leading to potential issues down the line. While they initially allow for rapid progress, over time, it can result in significant maintenance burdens, security vulnerabilities, and reduced software quality. Addressing technical debt requires a proactive strategy to identify and resolve these issues before they escalate.

The Role of SBOM in Managing Dependencies

A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive inventory of all components, libraries, and modules used in a software project. It details the libraries, frameworks, versions, and relationships between them, providing a clear overview of the software’s composition. SBOMs are crucial for:

  • Transparency: Offer a detailed map of all software dependencies, making tracking and managing dependencies easier.
  • Outdated dependencies: Identify outdated dependencies used in the software and provide the latest available version.
  • Security: By knowing exactly what dependencies are in use, developers can quickly identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Compliance: SBOMs help ensure all dependencies comply with licensing requirements, avoiding legal issues.

How Cryptosoft’s OWASP Managed Dependency Track Service Helps Reduce Technical Debt

One of the significant contributors to technical debt is the accumulation of outdated or unused components. Dependency Track is a powerful tool designed to address this issue by providing comprehensive visibility and managing software dependencies. Here’s how it helps:

Continuous Monitoring of Dependencies:

Cryptosoft’s OWASP Managed Dependency Track Service continuously monitors the dependencies used in your software. It integrates with various package managers, such as Pipy, Maven, Gradle, etc., to identify outdated components and provide up-to-date versions of the dependencies in use. This constant monitoring ensures that you are always aware of the state of your dependencies, enabling you to identify outdated dependencies promptly.

Detailed Reporting and Visualization:

The tool offers detailed reports and visualizations highlighting outdated dependencies within your software. These reports provide essential information that includes:

  • Current and Latest Versions: Clear identification of the versions currently in use and the latest available versions of each dependency.
  • Update Recommendations: Specific suggestions for updating dependencies to their latest versions to reduce technical debt.

By clearly presenting this information, Dependency Track helps developers and project managers quickly understand where updates are needed to reduce technical debt.

The image below shows how the dependency track highlights the outdated dependencies with yellow warning symbols and up-to-date dependencies with green tick symbols. Other than identifying the outdated dependencies, the dependency track also tells us the latest available version of the dependencies, including a filter to show only outdated dependencies.

Conclusion

Cryptosoft’s OWASP Managed Dependency Track Service is essential for reducing technical debt by identifying and managing outdated dependencies within your software. Continuous monitoring, detailed reporting, automated alerts, and seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines provide a robust mechanism for maintaining up-to-date and efficient components in the codebase. By leveraging Dependency-Track, organizations can proactively address technical debt, ensuring their software remains reliable, maintainable, and ready for future development.

For more details of the Cryptosoft service, and to get a free one month trial, please visit us at www.dependencytrack.com.