1. Introduction
Digital connectivity of medical devices has made patient care more efficient, data-driven, and effective. Utilization of and reliance on third-party software components has made developing such medical devices more economical, more reliable, and increased the pace of innovation. While utilization of third- party software components provides many benefits, they may introduce cybersecurity risks with a potential to impact patient safety and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network- connectable medical devices. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities are unique in that they may impact a diverse range of seemingly secured unrelated devices across various manufacturers due to the use of common software components. This problem is compounded by low traceability of those common components within devices. To address the global issue, the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) convened a multi-sector initiative of various stakeholders in 2018 to discuss software transparency. One output was the software bill of materials (SBOM) concept, which NTIA defined as a “list of one or more identified components, their relationships, and other associated information.” This initiative has informed SBOM development and adoption internationally. The SBOM is a resource which can be leveraged to improve cybersecurity risk management processes in both pre-market and post-market activities (i.e., the Total Product Lifecycle or TPLC). For example, in the pre-market phase, medical device manufacturers (MDMs) can use SBOM resources during device development to track known software vulnerabilities and prevent release of devices with known cybersecurity risks. In the post-market, MDMs can use SBOM as a resource to supplement their vulnerability monitoring processes to identify at-risk devices released in the market. An SBOM can support improved cybersecurity risk management processes throughout the TPLC as a primary or secondary resource. Benefits may include, but are not limited to: • Faster and more comprehensive identification of software components in a device, • more secure software development through better informed decision-making, and • increased software transparency among vendors and stakeholders. To gain the most benefit from SBOM, it should be used in conjunction with other cybersecurity risk management tools and procedures like those described in Principles and Practices for Medical Device Cybersecurity (IMDRF/CYBER WG/N60FINAL:2020), hereinafter also referred to as “IMDRF N60 guidance”. IMDRF N60 included an SBOM as part of the customer security documentation to be prepared by the MDM and provided to the device user. Medical device SBOMs benefit both MDMs and healthcare providers throughout the TPLC. For instance, SBOM is an effective management tool to track and prepare for software component End of Life (EOL). If an MDM knows the software components and their respective end of life dates, MDMs can better prepare themselves and their customers for any associated risks, which improves MDMs’ quality control capabilities. Device users benefit from increased transparency and cybersecurity information disclosure which allows them to implement cybersecurity activities based upon their individual risk profiles and cybersecurity capabilities. For example, an SBOM provided pre-purchase and pre-installation allows healthcare providers to know which devices can be deployed to meet their risk profile or might contain out-of-date software that can pose cybersecurity issues before purchasing. Manufacturers should supply a software bill of materials (SBOM) with their products. SBOM needs to support the varied needs, resources, and capabilities of all these HCPs. As SBOM adoption grows, advancements in tooling, services, and cybersecurity maturity will enable HCPs to leverage the SBOM to its fullest extent. Additionally, when provided with an SBOM, the customer (which can be HCPs or patients) can better assess the device cybersecurity risks. An SBOM provided in pre-market submissions to a regulator is one indicator that the MDM has a mature cybersecurity program. An SBOM also allows the regulator a more complete benefit-risk assessment for the product. In the post-market, a more comprehensive understanding about which marketed devices have access to an SBOM can assist MDM, HCP (healthcare providers) and regulators with input from the MDM in estimating and addressing threat, vulnerability, and exploit impact. As SBOM adoption grows within and across sectors, its value to organizations will increase. Stakeholders have different roles and uses of SBOM, such as SBOM generation, management, distribution, ingestion, and utilization. This guidance provides a high-level description of an SBOM and best practices for the generation and use of an SBOM. The purpose of this document is to provide greater detail on the implementation of SBOM and software transparency as relevant to medical device stakeholders, including MDMs, healthcare providers (HCPs), and regulators. In this guidance, healthcare providers include healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs). Additional insights regarding SBOM benefits are found in NTIA’s FAQ document and their “Roles and Benefits of SBOM Across the Supply Chain” document.