Software Composition Analysis
Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is a security and risk management tool that identifies and analyzes open-source and third-party components within software applications. It scans codebases to create a bill of materials (BOM), detecting vulnerabilities, licensing issues, and outdated dependencies. SCA helps organizations ensure compliance, reduce security risks, and maintain software integrity by providing visibility into component usage.
Developers should use SCA when building applications with open-source libraries to proactively identify security vulnerabilities (e.g., Log4Shell) and avoid legal risks from non-compliant licenses. It is essential in DevOps pipelines for continuous monitoring, particularly in industries like finance or healthcare where regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) is critical. SCA tools integrate into CI/CD workflows to automate scans and provide actionable insights for remediation.