What is an SBOM, what is it not, and do you need one?

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive list of components used in the development of software, including their versions and sources. It has gained prominence due to increasing risks associated with third-party dependencies, which can introduce vulnerabilities into software projects. SBOM provides detailed visibility into these dependencies, helping organizations identify potential threats and mitigate them effectively. Two industry standards for generating SBOMs are SPDX and CycloneDX, both of which can be expressed in various formats like JSON, YAML, and XML. As awareness grows, customers may start requesting SBOMs with software products to better understand their risks and compatibility with other supply chains.