Best Practices
In-depth guides and analysis on best practices from the Safeguard engineering team.
252 articles
FAQ: When Do You Need a Dedicated SBOM Tool?
When a scanner's built-in SBOM export stops being enough — signals you need a dedicated SBOM tool, what one actually does, and how to evaluate.
TCO of SCA Platforms in 2026: What to Model
A realistic model for the total cost of ownership of software composition analysis platforms in 2026, including the hidden costs vendors do not surface in their pricing pages.
WAF vs RASP
WAF vs RASP: how edge filtering and runtime protection differ, why Log4Shell exposed WAF blind spots, and when security teams need both layers.
What is Encryption
Encryption converts readable data into ciphertext using algorithms and keys. Here's how AES, RSA, and TLS actually work — and where implementations fail.
What is TLS/SSL
TLS/SSL encrypts data in transit, but outdated versions and unpatched libraries like Heartbleed-era OpenSSL still expose real risk today.
What is a VPN
A plain-English breakdown of what a VPN is, how it encrypts traffic, and why VPN gateways have become one of the most exploited attack surfaces in enterprise networks.
What is EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)
What EDR actually detects, how it differs from antivirus, XDR, and MDR, and why supply chain attacks like XZ Utils and 3CX slip past it entirely.
What is SIEM
SIEM explained: how it works, what data feeds it, how it differs from SOAR/XDR, and where reachability-based supply chain security fills its blind spots.
FAQ: How Much Does Supply Chain Security Cost?
Real numbers for supply chain security in 2026 — tool spend, headcount, hidden costs, SMB vs enterprise ranges, and where teams over- and under-invest.
What is SOAR
SOAR explained: what Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response actually does, how it differs from SIEM, and where it fits in supply chain security.
Board-Level Supply Chain Security Reporting
A practical template for reporting software supply chain risk to the board, including the three slides that work, the language that does not, and common traps.
What is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An IDS detects malicious network or host activity after it happens. Learn what an IDS is, how it differs from an IPS, and why supply chain attacks need more.