The objective of this session was to introduce The Open Group’s newest Forum to the membership; provide an overview of the history, the transition process, the objectives, and the current deliverables in order that new participants and potential members could better understand the significance and value of the Trusted Technology Forum. That is, the value in: working together with leading industry suppliers to define best practices for development, manufacturing, secure development models, and supply chain risk management, define an accreditation program for suppliers who conform to those practices, and ultimately to identify those trusted technology providers and their product lines with an accreditation mark that can act as a differentiator for those providers during procurement by governments and other customer organizations around the globe.
Summary
Background
In 2009, the US Department of Defense supported The Open Group in establishing the ACS Initiative, an industry-wide effort where vendors could identify the current best practices and processes that contribute to the creation of trusted technology and trusted technology providers. Toward that end, the Initiative set about creating the Trusted Technology Provider Framework (TTPF) that identifies those best practices and product assurance standards. The initiative has also explored the formation of a program to identify those providers and technologies that follow the best practices in the TTPF. They have also developed a Business Scenario that illustrates the business value for all stakeholders in creating such a program.
ACS Initiative Transition to Trusted Technology Forum within The Open Group
As the ACS Initiative wraps up its deliverables, the need for formalization in governance, management, and support has become more important. Consequently, the group is transitioning from a relatively informal initiative, to a new Forum under The Open Group. It is envisioned that this Forum will continue identifying best practices that, when applied cohesively and appropriately, will translate into a level of assurance that can be communicated to customers. This will benefit both the supplier and buyer communities, as it will give suppliers accepted industry-common targets for which to aim and allow buyers to more easily identify products and providers that meet secure, trusted development and manufacturing and supply-chain best practice criteria. Vendors investing in and conforming to these practices and processes will gain a deserved market differentiation.
Outputs
Andras Szakal, IBM, Co-Chair of the ACS Initiative and acting Chair of the Trusted Technology Forum, presented the Forum’s major deliverable: the Trusted Technology Provider Framework document, which is a draft, but which will be submitted to The Open Group White Paper Review and Approval process in the near future.
Next Steps
The Trusted Technology Forum will be defining their charter and objectives, submitting the Framework document to The Open Group Review process, defining conformance criteria, and defining an accreditation program and policy for the identified best practices.
If your company is currently a Gold or Platinum Member of The Open Group and you would like to participate in this Forum, please contact Sally Long, acting Forum Director of the TTF at s.long@opengroup.org to participate. If you are a Silver Member and are considering participation, contact Mike Hickey at m.hickey@opengroup.org to understand more about including an additional Forum in your membership.
