Is open source safer?

By Alex Kayle, Senior portals journalist

Johannesburg, 26 Mar 2009

Vulnerabilities around open source software and cloud computing are some of the issues that will be discussed at the ITWeb Security Summit 2009, to be held at Vodaworld in Midrand, from 26 to 28 May.

Yossi Hasson, MD of Synaq, will debate the issues around security and open source software, and whether open source software is more vulnerable to security risks than proprietary software.

Hasson says contrary to public belief that open source is unsafe, open source is no more vulnerable than proprietary software. “A lot of the viruses that are out there are not targeting typical open source software, but rather proprietary software. We are also seeing more anti-virus engines being developed that run on open source platforms.

“The trend that we are seeing with open source software is that open source has faster turnaround times in fixing bugs and that more open source users are starting to really scrutinise the software they purchase.”

According to Hasson, the uptake and awareness of open source software is rapidly increasing, and there are more malware threats targeting proprietary software, making open source a safer choice.

Open source is ready

“In these economic times, more companies are looking at the options and benefits that open source provides versus proprietary software. It's not a question of whether open source is ready for the market. It is ready, and now businesses are seriously exploring and looking at how it makes sense for them.”

Hasson says an increasing number of software developers are turning to open source as a foundation to develop cloud computing and software-as-a-service applications. “The licensing restrictions are by far less onerous, there's more flexibility, and when they do build cloud computing platforms, it gives them an added advantage.

“There will be a lot more awareness and a lot more open source applications developing and coming into the mainstream in years to come. However, I don't think it will be the end of proprietary software. There will always be a place for both. What it will do is increase competition, and at the end of the day, it will be the customer that will benefit from having more choice.”

Another advantage to open source software, Hasson points out, is the turnaround time to resolve security problems is much faster than proprietary software.