The Register: Uncle Sam wants you – to use memory-safe programming languages

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/27/cisa_nsa_call_formemory_safe_languages/
Source: The Register
Title: Uncle Sam wants you – to use memory-safe programming languages

Feedly Summary: ‘Memory vulnerabilities pose serious risks to national security and critical infrastructure,’ say CISA and NSA
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) this week published guidance urging software developers to adopt memory-safe programming languages.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The guidance from CISA and NSA highlights the critical risks associated with memory vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for software developers to use memory-safe programming languages to enhance national security and protect critical infrastructure.

Detailed Description: The recent announcement by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) addresses the growing concern over memory vulnerabilities, which are seen as a significant threat to national security and critical infrastructure. The agencies recommend that software developers transition to memory-safe programming languages to mitigate these risks effectively. Here are the main points of the guidance:

– **Memory Vulnerabilities:** These flaws can be exploited by attackers, leading to severe security incidents that could compromise national security and critical infrastructure.
– **Memory-Safe Programming Languages:** The CISA and NSA advocate for the adoption of programming languages that inherently protect against common memory-related issues, such as buffer overflows and data corruption.
– **Implementation Support:** The agencies provide resources and best practices to assist developers in transitioning to these safer programming paradigms.
– **Sector-wide Implications:** The guidance is particularly relevant for sectors dealing with sensitive information or crucial infrastructure to bolster their security posture.

This guidance is significant for security and compliance professionals as it emphasizes proactive measures to enhance software security. By adopting memory-safe programming languages, organizations can reduce their attack surface and improve their overall security framework, aligning with principles of secure software development.