The Security Paradox: Why Open Source might be safer than your proprietary software
By Ayobami Adedinni
Open Source Software (OSS) is revolutionising the way organisations build, deploy, and scale technology.
Yet, a persistent myth continues to undermine confidence in OSS: the belief that “open” means “insecure.” This misconception stems from the assumption that proprietary software, with its closed development model, is inherently safer because of its closeness. “Security through obscurity” is the underlying assumption, but it has proven to be not as safe as assumed.
In fact, the reality is quite the opposite—Open Source (OS) tools often provide superior security precisely because of their transparency, collaborative development, and rapid response to vulnerabilities.
Proprietary software, by contrast, operates as a “black box,” meaning security flaws can remain hidden for years or decades—as seen in high-profile breaches like SolarWinds.
A recent example involves vulnerabilities in Airoha chips, used in many Bluetooth headphones. Researchers at German cybersecurity firm ERNW have identified them by the involved CVE identifiers, including:
–CVE‑2025‑20702 – the most critical vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated access to RAM and firmware.
–CVE‑2025‑20700 and CVE‑2025‑20701 – authentication bypasses in the Bluetooth protocol.
Debunking the Myths: Why Open Source Is Not Inherently Risky
Myth 1: “Anyone Can Insert Malicious Code”
Reality: While Open Source projects are publicly accessible, they are not free-for-all playgrounds for hackers to contribute to and manipulate. Reputable OS projects enforce strict governance, peer review, and contribution guidelines. Every code change is scrutinized by a global community of developers, making it far harder for malicious actors to introduce vulnerabilities undetected.
Myth 2: “No One Is Responsible for Security”
Reality: Leading Open Source projects are maintained by foundations (e.g. Linux, Apache) and corporate backers (Red Hat, Google, IBM) with dedicated security teams. Additionally, the decentralized nature of OSS means vulnerabilities are often patched faster than in proprietary systems, where fixes depend on a single vendor’s timeline.
Myth 3: “There’s No Formal Support”
Reality: While Open Source software may not come with traditional vendor support, enterprises can access professional services from companies like Red Hat (Linux), SUSE (enterprise Linux), and others. Beyond paid support, the OSS community offers extensive documentation, forums, and crowdsourced troubleshooting—often more responsive than proprietary help desks.
The Security Advantages of Open Source
1. Unparalleled Transparency & Auditability
Every line of code in an Open Source project is visible, meaning security experts, researchers, and even internal teams can audit it for vulnerabilities. This transparency eliminates hidden backdoors and ensures compliance with security best practices.
2. Rapid Vulnerability Detection & Patching
The “many eyes” principle means bugs are found and fixed faster. When the Log4j vulnerability was discovered, the Open Source community responded swiftly with patches, while many proprietary vendors lagged behind.
3. No Vendor Lock-In or Hidden Risks
Proprietary software can force businesses into restrictive licensing agreements and obscure security risks. Open-source tools eliminate this dependency, allowing organizations to customize and secure their stack as needed.
Best Practices for Secure Open Source Adoption
To maximize security while leveraging OSS, organizations should adopt the following strategies:
1. Choose Mature, Well-Maintained Projects
Prioritize projects with active maintainers, frequent updates, and a strong community.
Check security advisories and vulnerability histories.
2. Establish Open Source Governance Policies
Define approval processes for OSS adoption.
Train developers on secure coding practices and license compliance.
3. Contribute Back to the Community
Report vulnerabilities and contribute code—just as initiatives like EnAccess foster collaboration in energy innovation. Join the Open Source in Energy Access (OSEA) community here
Beyond Security
While security is a critical advantage of OSS, OSS adoption also delivers:
–Cost savings (no licensing fees).
–Flexibility and customization (modify code as needed).
–Avoidance of vendor lock-in.
–Faster innovation (leverage community-driven advancements).
Final thoughts
Open source’s strength lies in its people—the developers, auditors, and users who collectively build safer systems. Whether in software or sectors like energy access, collaboration drives progress. Ready to engage with pioneers redefining open innovation?
Connect with the OSEA community today.