NIST has released Special Publication (SP) 800-218, Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) Version 1.1: Recommendations for Mitigating the Risk of Software Vulnerabilities. SP 800-218 replaces the NIST Cybersecurity White Paper released in April 2020, which defined the original SSDF, and it includes a change log summarizing the major changes from the original version.

Few software development life cycle (SDLC) models explicitly address software security in detail, so secure software development practices usually need to be added to each SDLC model to ensure that the software being developed is well-secured. SP 800-218 recommends a core set of high-level secure software development practices called the SSDF that can be integrated into each SDLC implementation. Following such practices should help software producers reduce the number of vulnerabilities in released software, mitigate the potential impact of the exploitation of undetected or unaddressed vulnerabilities, and address the root causes of vulnerabilities to prevent future recurrences. Because the framework provides a common vocabulary for secure software development, software acquirers can also use it to foster communications with suppliers in acquisition processes and other management activities.

NIST used inputs from the public and workshops to shape SSDF version 1.1 in support of NIST's responsibilities under Executive Order (EO) 14028. SP 800-218 also includes mappings from EO 14028 clauses to the SSDF practices and tasks that help address each clause.

Learn more about today's release of EO-related guidance.