The software supply chain is under increasing attack, with attackers targeting earlier stages of the development process, particularly build pipelines. This has led to a critical shift in how security measures are implemented, with a focus on securing the artifact lifecycle from development through deployment. Key strategies include using Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), digital signatures, and provenance data to provide visibility and control over dependencies. Docker Hardened Images offer a straightforward way to integrate trusted, verifiable container artifacts into modern workflows without slowing down development. Centralized artifact management platforms like Cloudsmith become essential in configuring repositories to proxy public registries, performing key security checks automatically, and providing enforcement points for policy. Ultimately, the goal is to create easy paths to security that are accessible, automated, and non-disruptive to gain widespread adoption.