Chainguard has launched a groundbreaking initiative to fortify the Python ecosystem against supply chain attacks: Chainguard Libraries for Python. Unlike traditional repositories, this curated index of Python dependencies is engineered for malware resistance by rebuilding every package from its original source code inside a hardened, SLSA Level 2-compliant environment.
A Secure Foundation, Rebuilt from the Ground Up
Chainguard’s mission is simple yet ambitious: eliminate the hidden dangers that lurk in the software dependency chain. By reconstructing nearly 10,000 of the most widely used Python libraries and their dependencies, the company aims to offer developers and enterprises a clean, verifiable source of truth—without sacrificing usability.
This initiative directly addresses a gaping hole in current security practices: the opaque build and distribution pipelines for Python packages. Public registries like PyPI, while essential to open-source development, often offer minimal validation and no guarantees that hosted packages precisely match their original source code. This leaves the door open to supply chain compromises—such as recent malware incidents targeting Ultralytics and PyTorch’s TorchTriton packages.
Why Python? Why Now?
Python powers more than half of the world’s developers and sits at the core of AI, machine learning, web development, and automation tools. This widespread adoption has also made it a prime target for threat actors. Malicious code injected into popular dependencies can ripple across thousands of downstream projects in an instant.
Moreover, many Python projects bundle shared system libraries to ensure cross-platform compatibility. While this simplifies development, it complicates security. These embedded components often escape standard vulnerability scanners, introducing hidden risks into production environments.
Chainguard tackles this issue head-on by not just rebuilding Python code, but also isolating and securing any system-level dependencies that come with it.
Security Without the Developer Tax
Until now, security teams have faced a tough trade-off: tighten security or maintain developer velocity. Chainguard Libraries aim to eliminate that dilemma. The libraries integrate seamlessly with existing artifact managers and workflows, allowing security teams to enforce rigorous standards without interrupting the software delivery process.
“We’re rebuilding every component for a given library—Python, Java, or otherwise—from source,” said Kim Lewandowski, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Chainguard.
“This gives organisations confidence in what’s in their software and helps eliminate hidden vulnerabilities—without forcing developers to change how they build or deploy.”
This Python-focused release builds on Chainguard’s earlier success with Chainguard Libraries for Java, reinforcing the company’s cross-language commitment to securing the building blocks of modern software.
Trusted by Enterprises Already
Enterprise users are already seeing value. Joe Christian, Senior Engineering Manager at Paylocity, noted:
“Chainguard helps us reduce our attack surface and gives our teams confidence in what they’re shipping. We see promise in Chainguard Libraries for Python to ensure developers can build securely from the very first line of code.”
At MAN Energy Solutions, a leader in industrial machinery, Carsten Skov, Senior DevOps Engineer, shared a similar sentiment:
“We’re excited about the potential of Chainguard Libraries for Python to further strengthen our software supply chain and mitigate risks from unverified dependencies.”
The Bigger Picture: A Safer Open Source Future
With this launch, Chainguard is not just improving Python security—it’s setting a new standard for how open-source libraries should be built, verified, and consumed. In an age where software supply chains are increasingly under siege, this approach offers a tangible, actionable path forward.
Chainguard Libraries for Python represent more than just a new product; they reflect a broader industry shift toward secure-by-default software development—one dependency at a time.
