Closing the supply chain security gap: SSDLC evaluation checklist

Supply chain attacks are escalating, with 30% of 2024 breaches involving third parties. High-profile incidents like SolarWinds, MOVEit, 3CX and Polyfill.io show how vulnerabilities in the software development process can compromise thousands of organizations at scale. Traditional supplier assessments often overlook secure development practices—where most risks originate. Since runtime controls cannot fix insecure code, organizations must evaluate security at every stage of the Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC).

• Evaluate across six SSDLC dimensions: risk management, secure design, verification and validation, governance, implementation practices, and ongoing maintenance.
• Prioritize evidence-based assurance: automated testing, penetration testing, code reviews, hardened pipelines, and formal security oversight.
• Look for proven certifications: ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27017/27018, IEC 62443-4-1, and CSA STAR Level 2.

Acronis demonstrates certified SSDLC excellence with independently verified standards, helping organizations reduce supply chain risk, simplify compliance, and strengthen cyber resilience across cloud and operational technology environments.