Debunking the Misconceptions of Open Source Security Platforms

  • By Santiago Bassett
  • Nov 30, 2022

The digital economy quite literally runs on open source. Ninety-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies use open source software, most of the cloud runs on Linux, and Apache and Nginx webservers power more than 60% of the world’s websites.

Yet despite our widespread adoption of—and, in fact, outright dependence on—open source, a number of misconceptions still remain about the technology, particularly when it comes to open source security platforms. Here we will debunk these common fallacies, revealing why open source security actually offers the best approach to keeping organizations and their data secure.

Because it is Open Source, it is not as Secure
There is a commonly held belief that with obscurity comes security. In other words, that proprietary, closed source software is inherently more secure because the code is private, with any weaknesses hidden from attackers. However, the truth is quite the opposite.

There is greater security in transparency. By virtue of being more exposed, open source, projects are open to continuous testing. As users notice and report vulnerabilities, they can be fixed faster. After a while, with this constant pattern of testing and patching, it becomes extremely difficult to find a vulnerability in open source code. The result, of course, being more robust, highly secure software.

On the other hand, with closed, commercial software, vulnerabilities can exist for years without being addressed, and attackers who look to find them may be successful. Meanwhile, users relying on that software may have introduced weaknesses into their systems they may not be aware of — and certainly have no way to check or test against because they cannot verify the source code. Just look at what happened with the infamous Solar Winds supply chain attack.

Open Source Cybersecurity is not as High Quality or Advanced
When people think of open source developers, they sometimes think of amateur or hobby developers. In reality, the open source community is comprised of some of the most talented professionals in the field, responsible for driving notable innovation across industries.

In fact, open source is the foundation of so many of the digital technologies we take for granted today. Not only was open source code the origin of the World Wide Web, it has also made remote collaborative development possible which, since the pandemic, has become absolutely essential to the way we work.

Moreover, because the open source community is built around the idea of collaboration, open source projects have the benefit of multiple perspectives and areas of expertise coming together, creating something stronger and more robust than the sum of its parts.

In the realm of open source cybersecurity, specifically, we see the benefits of this approach play out in the form of collaborative cyber intelligence. Crowdsourced directly from user communities, this large and ever-evolving dataset gives defenders a real advantage against new and shifting threats.

Open Source Cybersecurity is not Enterprise-grade
From Amazon to Oracle to the New York Stock Exchange, some of the biggest companies in the world rely on open source software. In fact, companies like Microsoft are active participants in multiple open source initiatives and Google’s Android is based entirely on an open source software stack.

What’s more, open source offers several key benefits specifically for enterprises. For starters, it is flexible — easy to customize and adapt to user needs. It also plays well with proprietary code, able to integrate and work with other systems within an enterprise’s tech stack. Lastly, with open source, there is no risk of vendor lock-in, so enterprises can easily “lift and shift” as needed.

Open Source Solutions are More Difficult to Use and Maintain

It is a common myth that, because open source projects are contributed to by multiple developers, they are developed chaotically, leading to tangled and overly complex solutions that are difficult to use and maintain. However, this just is not true. Most open source projects closely govern what is added to the code, ensuring that all contributions are documented to create greater transparency and ease of use for all involved.

In addition, open source can offer greater longevity for its users — capable of living beyond the life of the original producer. Whether a company ends its relationship with the creator of an open source project, or that creator goes out of business, the solution still maintains its value and functionality, well into the future.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3