Information Security Forum

Based on member input, the ISF selects a number of topics for research in a given year. The research includes interviewing member and non-member organizations and thought leaders, academic researchers, and other key individuals, as well as examining a range of approaches to the issue. The resulting reports typically go into depth describing the issue generally, outlining the key information security issues to be considered, and proposing a process to address the issue, based on best practices.

In 2020, Security Magazine reported that the ISF had released a paper titled Deploying Open Source Software: Challenges and Rewards, aimed at helping security professionals understand the benefits and perceived challenges of using open source software (OSS). The article described OSS as “a core part of IT infrastructure and applications” and noted that the ISF's guidance helps organizations “set up a program of protective measures to effectively manage OSS.” The publication also highlighted that the rise of agile and DevOps methodologies has driven increased OSS adoption.