The Promise and Pitfalls
of Open Source Software
Open Source Software is fantastic. It makes you more independent, is transparent, and gives you control over technology. You can view the code—both to learn from it and to modify it—and share it with others. OSS is a crucial building block for achieving digital sovereignty. However, here’s an important point: Open Source is not a magical solution for everything.
Open Source Software is not inherently reliable or secure by definition. Nor is every piece of code independently reviewed to uncover vulnerabilities. Just think of Log4j or OpenSSL, where critical flaws went unnoticed for years. While many are reassured by the mere possibility that Open Source is open to everyone, making it easier to find errors, OSS can still harbor hidden risks.
And let’s be honest: Not everyone has the skills or resources to evaluate OSS at this level and uncover flaws. So, what might be even more important with Open Source Software is understanding the scope of the software being used. Building expertise and potentially bringing in a trained partner to assist. Otherwise, you’re just swapping one dependency for another.
Don’t be naive. Open Source is an excellent building block for today’s software world, but it’s not a cure-all. It’s always important to understand the solutions you’re using, to explore alternatives, and to recognize that true sovereignty and security don’t come solely from libre software. Stay critical, stay informed, and always approach technology with a mindset that balances innovation with thoughtful evaluation of its limitations and potential risks.
Further Reading:
- Governikus: The resilience of open source software
- Governikus: Risk factors of open source software
- Snyk: 5 potential risks of open source software
- Sprinto: 7 Major Risks Of Open-Source Software & Mitigation Strategies
- stacklok: 5 risk factors of open source software beyond CVEs
- Strategic position of the BSI