Some Major Benefits of Open Source From a Security Perspective
Open source code and information security solutions are of utmost importance to software development companies. Such solutions are often free or low-cost, and numerous companies around the globe utilize them for their daily operations. According to research by Statistica, the market revenue associated with them will hit $70 billion by 2020.
Beyond the cost-effectiveness and collaborative community of open code software, there are unparalleled benefits it offers in terms of security. Let’s discuss some of the significant ones below.
1. Transparency
In traditional discreet and obscure software, having open discussions regarding the root causes of problems is not possible. New releases and updates can go on for months before a problem or its solution is identified and rectified. Open source software carries transparency about the information on its code base, support from the established online community, and any information on any potential bugs and fixes. Shared knowledge makes open source less fickle and more secure compared to conventional software. It eliminates lock-in risks as well, as the user can easily test the open source software thoroughly and discard it without facing any costs if they do not like its functionality.
2. Tested Code
If a vast community constantly keeps an eye on code, it will likely be tested continuously. This ensures that the software is trustworthy and updates are made timely. For this reason, such a code is more likely to be reliable and free of bugs, and you will be able to rest assured that an undetected bug will not end up crashing the system. The timely elimination of significant errors will also reduce downtime to fix any potential problems in the software and ensure your business operations run as smoothly as possible.
3. Security Issues Can be Patched Urgently
Numerous people have tried and tested open-source software, so all security concerns have been under scrutiny since the beginning. Open source communities help you immediately get rid of those bugs: the greater the number of people helping solve the problem, the quicker it gets solved. These online communities have people who are already working on or hold expertise in that software. Your company can be assured that any issues they may face with the software will be identified and resolved swiftly.
Quick security patches ensure that hackers and threat actors find no undiscovered vulnerability to leverage. As Linus Torvalds – the Open-Source Linux operating system maker – says, any software bugs are shallow if they are met with enough eyeballs.
4. Improved Flexibility
Open source software improves the overall flexibility and agility. The transparency of different codes available can let you choose the perfect one tailored to your needs. You can easily discard it if it does not meet the needs of your business as well. Without open source platforms and rigid traditional software, companies face the problem of lock-ins from proprietary software providers. Businesses also then have to pay substantial financial costs of price increases or letting go of the software their business requires.
Settling for obscure and inadequate software to cut costs can lead to vulnerabilities for companies and opportunities for hackers. The flexibility of open source software ensures that you don’t have to deal with rigid, unsatisfactory solutions. All these factors will let your business ensure stable performance, costs, and security.
5. Sustainability
Open source software that has fully established online communities is more into consistent growth and improvement. This makes them more sustainable, as companies using this software are free of worries about finding a different up-to-date technology. Ongoing updates further strengthen security and data protection and ensure that you stay competitive among your clients.
Companies prefer not to spend a lot on new and untested technologies as they can lead to cash flow insufficiencies. Open source works the best on a symbiotic basis, and it can help companies that are looking for sustainable solutions that work in the long term. Constant surveillance also ensures it stays up-to-date with the latest innovations across the globe. So, businesses become much more tech-friendly and sustainable when integrating open-source software.
6. Improved Speed
Going for tried, tested, and constantly updated open-source codes can create systems that are quick and worthy. You won’t have to spend weeks troubleshooting your code, as the online community would have been on it much earlier than you. Similarly, solutions are found much quicker when brains from the entire world are on the look and brainstorming. The online community can be an excellent resource for guidance and suggestions as well. All such things ensure speedy operations and quick responses to emergencies.
7. Affordability
Copyrighted, private software can be costly. If a business goes for low-cost options, it may lose functionality and performance. On the other hand, open source is a lot easier on the budget than traditional solutions; it is mostly free of cost. For enterprises that are starting on a small budget or planning to scale their business, this is an ideal choice. Even bigger firms with a better budget can benefit from open source as it helps them cut costs, become flexible, customize their software, and optimize their overall resources.
8. More Innovation
Open source online communities are generally more innovative as they comprise individuals interested in the product. They do not derive any monetary benefit from working on it and do so solely because of their drive and curiosity. More importantly, open source codes have no lack of programmers continuously looking for improvement: they’re used and appreciated worldwide.
9. More Scope For Scalability
If you want to grow your business to meet the increasing demands, you need to integrate software that can cater to these growing needs. Open source software is a flexible option that can help your business’s scalability in ever-changing business environments.
Making any modifications is painless in open source codes as almost all material required for making changes is available online. You can use your in-house development team or seek help from your IT staff to make necessary changes in your open-source software. Having a system that can be scaled with time can help your business achieve optimum performance and expand quickly without disturbing any operation.
Open source software, with fewer bugs and tested solutions, also optimizes your staff’s work hours by ensuring a system that is free of errors. The reduced chance of errors or time loss due to maintenance further increases the chances of your business towards expansion and profitability. There are no costs involved in expansion and modification either.
Endnote
Open source is the industry’s future with improved solutions, affordability, flexibility, and tested code. It can cater to web, mobile, and cloud solutions. Some analytic solutions can only be made available in open source. Due to the advantage of an online community, open source will be most likely used in future architectures. Many cloud solutions are moving towards open source platforms, and if you are considering opting for open source solutions, this is the right time to make the shift. It will improve your company’s overall security, protect your data, and help you with affordable solutions.
Community involvement in open source software has numerous advantages, from helping you fix bugs quickly to giving you expert advice on any issue. This decreases your maintenance costs and enables you to optimize resources. Open source communities also encourage innovation and lead your business towards growth and expansion in the longer run. To maximize your benefits from open source software, you can hire support services for your open source solutions. You can also self-learn the systems online and execute them in your business.
