Best Practices for CISOs to Mitigate Third-Party Software Supply Chain Risk
In the modern computing stack, enterprises rely heavily on a growing mix of third-party softwarethat often carries hidden security risks. The current state of blindly trusting vendor assurances canleave organizations vulnerable to malicious hacker attacks and compliance gaps.
These best practices offer a clear framework for CISOs and security teams to independently verifysoftware integrity, integrate rigorous checks into existing processes, and continuously monitorvendor products to catch and address emerging threats early.
Implement “Trust but Verify” for all binary-lock third-party software
Don’t rely on vendor promises alone — independentlyscan and test any software or firmware that entersyour environment. Incorporate binary-level securityassessments (like the Binarly Transparency Platform)as a mandatory step in vendor onboarding andsoftware deployment. This ensures that you verify thecode’s safety before trusting it in production.
Integrate deep analysis into procurement and DevOps
Work with your procurement and DevOps teams toadd security gating for third-party code. For example,require a binary analysis report for any new vendorapplication, update, or open-source componentbefore it’s approved for use. By embedding thesechecks into your CI/CD pipeline or software intakeprocess, you catch vulnerabilities early — preventingthat 83% scenario of finding issues only afterdeployment. Automation here is key given the sheervolume of software (large enterprises may run tensof thousands of unique apps). Wherever possible,leverage automated scanning over manual reviewsto handle scale.
Continuous monitoring, not “point-in-time” audits
Treat third-party software risk management as an ongoing discipline. Performcontinuous or periodic re-scans of vendor software (especially when updates/patches are released) rather than annual “check-the-box” reviews. Point-in-timeassessments and security questionnaires provide only a snapshot and often mississues that crop up over time. In contrast, continuous monitoring with a platformlike Binarly will alert you to new vulnerabilities or threats introduced in updates,so you can respond swiftly. This helps maintain post-deployment securitycompliance and avoids “silent” risk buildup during the vendor relationship.
Demand transparency and accountability from vendors
Set clear expectations with software suppliers that security is a top priority.Ask vendors to provide Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and allow independent verification of their products. If Binarly (or a similar tool) finds issues in a vendor’s code, proactively share those findings with the vendor andrequire remediation within a defined timeframe. Many organizations are nowcollaborating with vendors on risk reduction rather than operating combatively. Consider baking security requirements into contracts — for instance,stipulate that vendors must maintain a certain security rating or fix reportedvulnerabilities promptly. By holding vendors accountable and workingtogether on fixes, you significantly reduce supply chain risk for both parties.
Align third-party risk with business risk appetite
Not all third-party software carries equal risk — a vulnerability in a criticalbanking application is far more serious than one in a minor marketing tool. CISOsshould use the rich data from binary analysis to prioritize remediation based onpotential impact. Focus on the findings that present the highest business risk(e.g. remote code execution flaws in high-value systems) and ensure those areaddressed first. The Binarly Transparency Platform can help quantify the risk ofeach issue, enabling you to tie technical findings to business impact. By aligningremediation efforts with your organization’s risk appetite and compliancerequirements, you can create policies (such as blocking software below a certainsecurity score) that keep the supply chain robust without stifling the business.
