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Synopsys Black Duck

Overview of the Tool:

Black Duck, part of Synopsys, is a leading Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool designed to enhance the security and compliance of applications that utilize open source components

Black Duck integrates seamlessly into DevOps and DevSecOps environments, enhancing security and compliance throughout the software development lifecycle.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive Scanning: Black Duck scans applications and container images to identify all open source components, providing a detailed Bill of Materials (BOM). This includes not only declared components but also those hidden within the code, leveraging a robust KnowledgeBase containing over 2,650 unique open source licenses.

  • Vulnerability Management: The tool offers timely notifications about vulnerabilities, often alerting users on the same day they are discovered—well before they appear in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). It provides detailed advisories that include exploit information, remediation guidance, and severity scoring.

  • License Compliance: Black Duck helps organizations ensure compliance with open source licenses by summarizing obligations and flagging potential license conflicts. This feature is crucial for legal teams assessing the impact of using specific components.

  • Integration with DevOps: The tool integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows, facilitating effective DevSecOps practices. It allows for automated scanning during build processes and provides actionable security risk data without disrupting established workflows.

  • Software Bill of Materials (SBOM): Black Duck simplifies the creation of SBOMs in standardized formats such as SPDX and CycloneDX. This capability is essential for organizations aiming to comply with regulatory requirements and enhance transparency in their software supply chains.

How It Fits into DevOps/DevSecOps

** Integration into CI/CD Pipelines**

Automated Scanning:
Black Duck is designed to automatically scan code during the build process in CI/CD pipelines, identifying open source components and their associated vulnerabilities. This integration allows teams to enforce security policies and receive alerts for any violations, thereby preventing the deployment of insecure code.

Policy Enforcement:
By leveraging policy management features, organizations can define compliance requirements and automatically halt builds that do not meet these standards. This proactive approach ensures that security is prioritized without disrupting development workflows.

Continuous Monitoring:
Black Duck continuously monitors for newly reported vulnerabilities in open source components, providing timely alerts without requiring rescans of the codebase. This feature is crucial for maintaining security post-deployment as well.

Support for DevSecOps Practices

Security as Code:
Black Duck embodies the principle of "Security as Code," integrating security checks directly into the development process. This means that security assessments are automated and occur alongside regular development tasks, reducing manual intervention and potential errors.

Comprehensive Risk Assessment:
The tool not only identifies vulnerabilities but also assesses license compliance and operational risks associated with open source usage. This holistic view supports teams in making informed decisions about component selection and risk management throughout the development lifecycle.

User-Friendly Integration:
Black Duck provides plugins for popular CI/CD tools such as Jenkins and Azure DevOps, facilitating easy integration into existing workflows. This adaptability allows organizations to implement security measures without significant changes to their current processes.

Programming Langauage:

Black Duck supports a wide range of programming languages and package managers, making it a versatile tool for Software Composition Analysis (SCA). Here are the key languages and technologies it supports:
Supported Programming Languages
C/C++
Java
JavaScript
Python
Ruby
PHP
Go
Rust
Kotlin
Swift
Dart
C#
Scala
Objective-C

Supported Package Managers:
Black Duck can scan various package managers, which include:
npm (Node.js)
Maven (Java)
Gradle (Java)
Composer (PHP)
Pip (Python)
RubyGems (Ruby)
NuGet (.NET)
Conan (C/C++)
Cargo (Rust)

Additional Technologies
Black Duck also supports scanning for dependencies in container images, binaries, and various file types, ensuring comprehensive coverage of open source components across different environments. This includes support for:
Docker images
Native binaries
Various archive formats like ZIP, TAR, and RAR

Parent Company of that tool

The parent company of Black Duck is Clearlake Capital Group and Francisco Partners, which completed the acquisition of the Synopsys Software Integrity Group, rebranding it as Black Duck Software, Inc. on October 1, 2024. This transition marked Black Duck's establishment as an independent application security company, having previously been part of Synopsys, Inc. since its acquisition in 2017.
As an independent entity, Black Duck continues to provide a comprehensive portfolio of application security solutions that were previously available under Synopsys, focusing on managing application security, quality, and compliance risks for organizations.

Whether it is open source or paid one

Black Duck is a paid tool and is not open source. The pricing model for Black Duck varies based on the features and level of service required, with costs starting at approximately $5,000 per month for entry-level tiers. More advanced tiers can cost significantly more, with reports indicating prices can reach up to $50,000 annually depending on the number of scans and features included.
The tool offers different pricing structures, including monthly and yearly subscriptions, as well as options for on-premise or cloud deployment. However, it does not provide a free or open-source version, which means organizations need to budget for its licensing fees to utilize its comprehensive Software Composition Analysis capabilities.

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