Secure by design, fast by default: How we use automation to scale SCA at Webflow

Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is essential for identifying vulnerabilities linked to third-party software dependencies, but it poses challenges such as alert overload, false positives, and integration difficulties within existing Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) processes. To address these, Webflow implemented a strategy of shifting SCA "left," providing developers with timely feedback in the tools they already use, promoting faster triage and alignment with secure-by-design principles. This approach involved offering flexible solutions aligned with engineering needs and company culture while using an incremental rollout strategy. By starting with small-scale implementations and gathering feedback, they gradually expanded the SCA program, ensuring it met the diverse needs of different teams. Challenges included dealing with false positives, prioritizing vulnerabilities, managing version conflicts, and ensuring developer adoption, while also addressing open-source license compliance and maintaining centralized governance to ensure consistent vulnerability management across teams.