Developing the Role of the System Software Integrator to Mitigate Digital Infrastructure Vulnerabilities EPR2023028

Traditional physical infrastructure increasingly relies upon software. Yet, 75% of software projects fail in budget by 46% and schedule by 82%. While other systems generally have a “responsible-in-charge” (RIC) professional, the implementation of a similar system of accountability in software is not settled. This is a major concern, as the consequences of software failure can be a matter of life-or-death. Further, there has been a 742% average annual increase in software supply chain attacks on increasingly used open-source software over the past three years, which can cost up to millions of dollars per incident.

Developing the Role of the System Software Integrator to Mitigate Digital Infrastructure Vulnerabilities discusses the verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification needed to vet systems before implementation and the continued maintenance measures required over the lifespan of software-integrated assets. It also proposes a certified System Software Integrator role that would be responsible for public safety in traditional infrastructure.