Advancing Banking Software Through Security Automation with Sonatype

With exponential increases in both the number of applications maintained and the libraries those applications depend on, a leading innovator in digital banking solutions struggled to keep pace with its security demands. 

Manual security processes were simply no longer feasible. Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in real-time across multiple application versions created inefficiencies, consumed excessive resources, and exposed the organization to potential risks. The stakes were high—not only did they need to safeguard their reputation within the highly regulated financial sector, but they also needed to ensure smooth developer workflows to remain competitive.

The challenge boiled down to three key areas:

• Time - Manual scans and rework resulted in delays within the SDLC.
• Security - Vulnerabilities had to be proactively identified and mitigated across multiple software versions.
• Scalability - Managing growing application and library ecosystems requires innovative solutions to maintain productivity and high standards.

By embedding security deeply into their CI/CD pipelines and developing tailored integrations, they revolutionized their approach to software security while empowering their development teams. 

Sonatype Lifecycle and CI/CD Integration

By integrating Sonatype Lifecycle with GitLab and Bamboo pipelines, the organization ensured every release candidate was automatically scanned for vulnerabilities. Sonatype Lifecycle was further configured to break builds if high or critical vulnerabilities were detected, adhering to best practices recommended by Sonatype. This approach reduced rework and accelerated delivery by preventing issues from advancing to later stages.

Custom Application

To tackle challenges surrounding version control, the organization developed a custom application that works seamlessly with Lifecycle. It automates key security workflows by generating and saving essential files for each pipeline scan, such as reports, SBOMs (software bills of materials), and vulnerability exploitability exchange (VEX) data. The application organizes applications, versions, and associated documentation under Sonatype Lifecycle’s sub-organizational framework, allowing teams to access relevant information efficiently.

Labor-Saving Developer Processes

Recognizing that developer productivity is essential to success, the organization decentralized waiver management to designated Security Champions while keeping approval and accountability measures intact. By automating repetitive tasks and allowing developers to focus on high-value work, friction was minimized, and morale improved.

SBOM and VEX Integration

Enhanced by advanced workflows, SBOM and VEX data were automatically generated and qualified. This enabled both the organization and its customers to prioritize critical vulnerabilities and evaluate risks with greater accuracy. The scalability of their SBOM management served as a differentiator within the industry.

Automating key security workflows saved the organization approximately 30% of the time previously allocated to manual vulnerability management. Integrations across CI/CD pipelines removed the need for manual scans, while the auto-blocking of release candidates with critical vulnerabilities prevented costly rework later in the SDLC. Developers could focus on coding rather than administrative overhead, accelerating delivery timelines.

For example, by automating SBOM creation and filing through the application, developers no longer wasted hours navigating directories. Instead, generating, organizing, and integrating critical data became instant and error-free.

Enhanced Security Posture

The integration of Lifecycle within development workflows dramatically improved the organization’s security posture. By embedding robust automated scans earlier in the pipeline, security processes went from reactive to proactive. Breaking builds due to critical vulnerabilities ensured that only high-quality software moved forward, decreasing the likelihood of issues in production.

The ability to qualify SBOMs with VEX data not only benefited internal remediation efforts but also built greater trust among banking clients who relied on accurate risk analyses for their infrastructure. This proactive security culture positioned the company as a dependable partner in the financial sector, where compliance and safety are paramount.

Developer Productivity and Morale

Developers saw immediate improvements in their day-to-day workflows. Repetitive tasks were eliminated, and processes like waivers were decentralized, creating a smoother development experience. Allowing developers the autonomy to manage waivers responsibly while minimizing unnecessary build stoppages contributed to increased morale across teams.

Security Champions within development teams acted as key influencers, fostering collaboration between security and coding teams. This innovative model not only reduced bottlenecks but empowered developers to see their role as integral to the security process, further boosting motivation.

Industry Leadership in DevSecOps

The organization’s adoption of advanced technologies and streamlined workflows has solidified its position as a leader in DevSecOps practices. Their approach exemplifies how deep integration, tailored tooling, and scalable SBOM management can transform security within a highly regulated industry.

For instance, the organization has set new standards with their automated generation of VEX data, which enhances transparency and strengthens relationships with customers. Additionally, their ability to prepare SBOM and VEX data for ingestion into customer tools exemplifies forward-thinking integration with external ecosystems.

Furthermore, initiatives like labor-saving CI/CD pipeline integrations highlight how security processes can become invisible yet effective. By reducing friction between security and development teams while maintaining high accountability and alignment with compliance standards, the organization serves as a model for driving meaningful cultural change in DevSecOps.

Through cutting-edge solutions such as Sonatype Lifecycle and the custom app, this organization has redefined security in banking software development. By automating time-consuming tasks, integrating comprehensive safeguards into CI/CD processes, and employing innovative SBOM and VEX workflows, they streamlined operations and boosted ROI significantly.