Software supply chain security addresses the risks introduced by third-party code, build tooling, and artifact distribution — the components you did not write but your software depends on. Every npm package, Python library, Docker base image, and CI runner action is a potential entry point for malicious code. Supply chain attacks have grown significantly since 2020, making dependency pinning, Software Bills of Materials, and artifact signing essential practices for any production system.
Analogy🏏Cricket
🏏 Think of it like cricket: A batting coach who only reviews a batter's technique after a tournament has already ended. The batter has played 10 matches with a flawed grip — every run scored with bad technique is harder to unlearn than if the coach had corrected it in the first net session. Shifting security left is bringing the coach into the net sessions, not the post-tournament review.