Source URL: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/27/204210/bill-requiring-us-agencies-to-share-custom-source-code-with-each-other-becomes-law?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Bill Requiring US Agencies To Share Custom Source Code With Each Other Becomes Law
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AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The SHARE IT Act signed by President Biden mandates federal agencies to share custom-developed software code to reduce redundancy and government spending on software development. It emphasizes transparency through metadata sharing while exempting certain codes related to national security and privacy.
Detailed Description: The SHARE IT Act (H.R. 9566) introduces a significant shift in how federal agencies handle custom-developed software, aiming for higher efficiency and reduced costs. Here are the critical aspects of the legislation:
– **Purpose**: The act is designed to prevent duplicative software development contracts among federal agencies, which currently results in an estimated $12 billion annual expenditure on software.
– **Key Requirements**:
– Federal agencies must share custom-developed code with each other.
– Agencies are required to publicly list metadata related to their custom code.
– The law mandates the establishment of sharing policies and guidelines that align with best practices in software development.
– **Exemptions**:
– Classified, national security-sensitive, and privacy-sensitive code is exempt from sharing requirements. This carve-out is crucial for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive governmental operations.
– **Implementation Timeline**:
– Within 180 days of enactment, agency chief information officers (CIOs) must design policies to implement the act effectively.
– **Metadata Details**:
– The act specifies that metadata must include critical information such as:
– Whether the custom code was created as part of a contract or shared in a repository.
– The relevant contract number.
– Hyperlinks to repositories where the code can be accessed.
– **Industry Support**:
– The legislation has garnered support from industry leaders, exemplified by statements from Atlassian’s general counsel, which highlight the benefits of increased collaboration in software development.
**Implications for Security and Compliance Professionals**:
– The requirement for agencies to adhere to best practices in development may lead to improvements in software security and compliance strategies.
– The focus on transparency through metadata could enhance the ability to audit and track software systems, bolstering overall security postures.
– Professionals tasked with managing compliance should be aware of the implications of this law regarding the sharing of potentially sensitive code and ensure that best practices are effectively applied to mitigate any risks associated with software sharing.