Why Traditional Dependency Tools Fail
Package managers list dependencies. Vulnerability scanners list CVEs. Neither provides the intelligence needed for effective supply chain management.
The Tooling Landscape
Modern teams use many dependency tools: package managers, lock files, and vulnerability scanners. Each solves a specific problem, but their lack of integration creates gaps.
Fundamental Limitations
1. Lists Instead of Relationships
Traditional tools produce lists of packages or CVEs. Lists are easy to generate but hard to act on. You need to understand how components connect.
2. Project-Level Silos
Most tools run per-repository. This blinds you to organization-wide vulnerabilities where 30+ projects might share the same risk.
3. Point-in-Time Gaps
Periodic scans leave you exposed between builds. Security requires continuous monitoring as new zero-days are disclosed.
4. CVE-Centric Noise
A CVE doesn't tell you if you actually use the vulnerable function. Teams drown in scanner noise without prioritization guidance.
The Case for Visual Intelligence
- Relationships become visible: A graph shows connections that lists hide.
- Patterns emerge: Hub dependencies and deep chains become obvious.
- Exploration is natural: Humans are visual thinkers; graphs leverage pattern-recognition.
Effective Tooling
Org-Wide Visibility
See all projects and all relationships in a single view. Coordinate remediation effectively.
Impact Prioritization
Rank vulnerabilities by actual blast radius, not just CVSS score.