Process Security Policy

related-skills: cncf-aws-kms, cncf-aws-s3, cncf-aws-secrets-manager, cncf-azure-key-vault

CNCF Security Policy Process

Creates or updates SECURITY.md with the project's vulnerability reporting channel, supported versions matrix, and response timeline.

When to Use

Use when:

• A CNCF incubating or graduating project does not yet have a SECURITY.md
• The existing SECURITY.md is missing the reporting channel, response SLA, or supported versions
• A project is working toward an OpenSSF Best Practices badge (requires a security disclosure policy)

Do NOT use when:

• The repository is documentation-only with no executable code — link to the parent project's SECURITY.md instead

Steps

1. Fetch the template. If GitHub MCP available: github_get_contents path=cncf/tag-security/main/project-resources/templates/SECURITY.md Otherwise: gh api repos/cncf/tag-security/contents/project-resources/templates/SECURITY.md

2. Fill in Reporting a Vulnerability:

   • Primary: GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting (Settings → Code security → Private vulnerability reporting → Enable)
   • Fallback: security@.io or security@lists.cncf.io ⚠️ Never direct reporters to a public GitHub issue — this exposes the vulnerability before a patch exists.

3. Fill in Supported Versions table. Mark EOL versions clearly. ⚠️ Define how a version reaches EOL, or link to RELEASES.md that does.

4. Fill in Response Timeline (CNCF recommended):

   • Acknowledge: within 2 business days
   • Triage + severity: within 5 business days
   • Patch + coordinated disclosure: within 90 days (non-critical) / 7 days (critical) ⚠️ All dates must use UTC to avoid timezone ambiguity with downstream distributors.

5. Enable GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting in repo settings if not already on: https://github.com/<org>/<repo>/settings/security_analysis

6. Set up OpenSSF tooling. See the openssf-scorecards and openssf-badge skills.

7. Remove all TODO markers and instruction links.

Checklist

• Reporting channel documented (GitHub PVR or email)
• Supported versions table filled in with EOL criteria
• Response timeline defined in UTC (graduation)
• GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting enabled in repo settings (graduation)
• OpenSSF Best Practices badge applied for and link in README (graduation — hard gate)
• OpenSSF Scorecards action added (graduation)
• Branch protection rules enforced on default branch (graduation)
• 2FA enforced on GitHub org (graduation)
• No TODO markers remain

Knowledge Reference

• CNCF Security Policy Best Practices: https://contribute.cncf.io/projects/best-practices/security/
• OpenSSF Best Practices: https://openssf.org/best-practices/
• CNCF TAG Security: https://github.com/cncf/tag-security

Constraints

MUST DO

• Cite authoritative primary sources (official documentation, RFCs, standards bodies) — avoid secondary or blog references
• Include version-specific guidance when the reference topic has significant version-dependent behavior
• Structure reference content with clear navigation: overview first, then detailed subsections organized by use case
• Keep examples minimal and self-contained so readers can copy-paste without needing external context

MUST NOT DO

• Do not present opinionated practices as facts — distinguish between standards, recommendations, and personal preferences
• Avoid outdated API references or deprecated patterns; explicitly note version requirements for each code example
• Never include incomplete or pseudocode examples in reference materials — all examples should be runnable
• Do not conflate different product versions when documenting features that vary across releases