Leading the Way: SolarWinds’ Secure By Design Initiative

Explore SolarWinds’ Secure By Design initiative – leading the way in software security and cyber resilience. Learn about our industry advancements during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

SolarWinds, a prominent provider of robust and secure observability and IT management software, is marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month by spotlighting the software industry’s journey toward enhanced security through its Secure By Design initiative. Informed by the invaluable insights of leading cybersecurity experts, this initiative represents a top-tier cybersecurity strategy for software development systems and processes, setting a new benchmark in supply chain security.

SolarWinds conceived the Secure By Design concept to confront the evolving landscape of highly sophisticated and unpredictable cyber threats, including those posed by advanced nation-state actors. Serving as a guiding principle for software security and cyber resilience, Secure By Design offers an innovative defense against advanced supply chain cyber threats. With an emphasis on creating safer digital environments, SolarWinds has designed the guiding principles of Secure By Design to benefit both the company and the broader software industry.

Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO and President of SolarWinds, remarked, “Security is an ongoing journey with no finish line but, as we reflect on the past year, it’s clear we’ve made great progress on the journey towards a Secure by Design industry. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats demand a collective response from the cybersecurity community. It is our shared responsibility to come together, collaborate, and innovate to build a more secure future for all.”

Over the past year, notable strides have been made in adopting and implementing the Secure By Design approach, including community-based efforts to bolster cyber resilience, more secure software build systems, enhanced information sharing about threats within the industry, and the cultivation of a stronger cybersecurity workforce.

Fostering a Community Approach to Enhance Cyber Resilience

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a period during which the U.S. President and Congress collaborate with the public and private sectors to raise awareness of cybersecurity’s significance. SolarWinds has consistently advocated for transparent information sharing across the industry and more robust public-private partnerships to counter increasingly sophisticated nation-state cyberattacks.

In a recent event in Washington, D.C., SolarWinds hosted a panel discussion featuring Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Eric Goldstein. The discussion focused on the need for stronger public-private partnerships to bolster the nation’s cyber infrastructure security.

SolarWinds will also participate in GovWare 2023, a gathering of policymakers, tech innovators, and end-users. This year’s theme, “Fostering Trust Through Collaboration in the New Digital Reality,” aims to explore the connection between digital trust and success in today’s cyberspace.

Establishing a Resilient Build Environment with the Next-Generation Build System

The SolarWinds Next-Generation Build System, a crucial element of the Secure By Design approach, employs a unique parallel build process, creating software in multiple secure, duplicate, and short-lived environments. Initially unveiled last year, this system was designed to make supply chain attacks more challenging by prioritizing cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle management process.

SolarWinds has recently announced that the Next-Generation Build System aligns with the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) updated by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST®) last year. This alignment with SSDF and CISA’s Enduring Security Framework has encouraged more organizations to adopt the Secure By Design approach.

The SolarWinds Next-Generation Build System has received several industry accolades, including the CSO50 Award for IT Infrastructure Monitoring and Management, the BIG Innovation Fortress Cyber Security Award, and recognition from the Cloud Security Awards. Tim Brown, SolarWinds’ Chief Information Security Officer and VP of Security, who has spearheaded the system’s development, was named CISO of the Year by the Globee® Cybersecurity Awards.

Enhancing Security Through a Robust Cyber Workforce

This year, the industry has focused on expanding the cybersecurity workforce, a critical mission considering the more than 3.4 million unfilled positions in the field. The White House introduced a National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy to address both immediate and long-term cyber workforce needs. Additionally, the U.S. National Science Foundation CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service program will allocate over $24 million in the next four years to bolster the development of a stronger cybersecurity workforce.

SolarWinds has consistently advocated for more resources for skill and vocational training. The company has taken a leadership role in this regard by urging software companies to allocate the equivalent of a trained, full-time employee to support CISA and promote information sharing between companies and government agencies. Such cross-sector collaboration is essential in establishing unified best practices and fostering shared threat intelligence.

SolarWinds’ commitment to advancing software security and cyber resilience through the Secure By Design initiative underscores the ongoing evolution of cybersecurity practices in an ever-changing digital landscape. As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month and reflect on the significant strides made over the past year, it is evident that our collective efforts are paving the way for a more secure future. With the engagement of key industry players, community-driven initiatives, and innovative technology, we are forging a path toward a safer and more resilient digital environment. Together, we are taking a proactive stance to safeguard our digital world against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

For further details about the SolarWinds Secure By Design initiative, please visit here.