The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →GitHub announced on August 3, 2020, that it was joining the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) as a founding member. The announcement described an effort to bring GitHub’s Open Source Security Coalition together with other open-source security initiatives under a shared foundation—not a new membership event in 2026.
What GitHub’s OpenSSF announcement means
GitHub said its Open Source Security Coalition would join forces with other initiatives, including the Linux Foundation’s Core Infrastructure Initiative, to create a broader home for cross-industry open-source security work. GitHub’s stated aim was to coordinate existing efforts rather than make security work the responsibility of a single company.
The coalition’s active groups focused on vulnerability disclosure, identifying threats to open-source projects, developer best practices, and security tooling. GitHub’s announcement named Google, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, NCC Group, OWASP Foundation, and Red Hat alongside GitHub as founding members. OpenSSF’s current FAQ also lists GitHub among its founding members.
GitHub’s August 3, 2020 announcement was updated on December 19, 2021. OpenSSF’s current About page continues to identify GitHub as a founding member and describes OpenSSF as an initiative of the Linux Foundation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
What OpenSSF works on
OpenSSF’s charter mission, as reproduced on its About page, is “to inspire and enable the community to secure the open source software we all depend on.” Its scope covers security throughout the software lifecycle, from development and maintenance through release and consumption.
OpenSSF’s current organization profile lists work across several areas:
Rank #2
- Best practices for open-source developers
- Securing critical projects and repositories
- Security tooling and supply-chain integrity
- Vulnerability disclosure
- AI/ML security
OpenSSF invites people to participate through Slack, mailing lists, working groups, special interest groups, and project meetings. These work areas and participation routes are described in its organization profile; they may change over time.
Do you have to be a member to participate?
No. OpenSSF says its technical work is open to interested stakeholders and does not require funding. Organizational membership and technical participation are separate routes: an organization may support and participate in the foundation, while individuals and organizations can take part in technical work without becoming members.
Participation does not mean a member controls a hosted project. OpenSSF says project maintainers manage hosted projects and make project-level decisions, including decisions about project processes. See the OpenSSF About page and FAQ for its current participation guidance.
What GitHub reported in 2020—and what those figures do not show
GitHub’s 2020 announcement offered statistics as context for its decision to collaborate on open-source security. It reported that 99% of codebases contained open-source components and that repositories averaged more than 200 dependencies. The post does not link an underlying study or describe the methodology for either figure, so they should be read as numbers GitHub reported at the time—not as independently verified or current estimates.
Rank #4
GitHub also said its Security Lab and Open Source Security Coalition had contributed to the discovery of over 120 CVEs in open-source software. That is a figure from the 2020 announcement, not a present-day cumulative total; the post links to GitHub Security Lab’s CVE information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the announcement relates to GitHub security features
In the 2020 post, GitHub said its Security Lab would continue its research and that it would keep building security features free for public repositories. Those statements describe what GitHub said then. The foundation membership announcement does not establish current product terms or guarantee that every security feature is free or available for every repository; check GitHub’s current product documentation for feature-specific terms.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
