[2025] Enterprise Open Source Management Guide Based on ISO Standards
Introduces measures for enterprises to effectively manage open source based on ISO international standards.
Open source is an essential element of modern software development. However, using open source without proper management can expose an enterprise to serious risks, including license compliance violations and security vulnerability exposure.
This guide presents the core requirements and specific implementation methods that enterprises must follow to effectively manage open source, based on ISO international standards.
Author: Haksung Jang (haksung@sktelecom.com) / CC BY 4.0
Recent Updates (January 6, 2025):
- Added content related to ISO/IEC 18974 (OpenChain Security Assurance Specification)
- Detailed the open source security assurance process and requirements
- Strengthened content on SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) management
- Improved the open source contribution and release process
- Added measures for measuring program effectiveness and continuous improvement
International Standards for Open Source Management
There are two ISO international standards for open source management:
- ISO/IEC 5230: OpenChain Specification - the international standard for open source compliance
- ISO/IEC 18974: OpenChain Security Assurance Specification - the international standard for open source security
OpenChain and ISO/IEC 5230
ISO/IEC 5230 is the sole international standard for open source compliance, defining the core requirements enterprises must meet to build an effective open source program. For details, see the Understanding OpenChain page.
Enterprise Open Source Management Approach
By complying with the requirements of ISO/IEC 5230 and ISO/IEC 18974, an enterprise can build an effective open source management system. To do so, an enterprise must have the following six core elements:
- Organization: Establish a dedicated organization for open source management
- Policy: Establish and document a clear open source policy
- Process: Build systematic processes for open source use, contribution, and distribution
- Tools: Adopt automated tools for open source scanning, tracking, and management
- Training: Conduct training for employees to raise open source awareness and build competency
- Conformance: Maintain standard conformance through continuous monitoring and improvement
This guide provides detailed methods and examples for how enterprises can concretely implement each element.
References
This guide was written with reference to the following authoritative sources: