OpenSSL Corporation Hosts Inaugural Business Advisory Committee (BAC) Meeting

On January 13, 2025, OpenSSL Corporation hosted its inaugural Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, marking a significant milestone in the project’s evolution towards enhanced community engagement and transparency. This kickoff meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss the committee’s structure, purpose, and path forward.

Participants

  • OpenSSL Corporation
    • Anton Arapov
    • Tim Hudson
    • Katerina Micova
  • Advisory Committee Members
    • Billy Brumley (RIT) – Academics
    • Paul Dale (Oracle) – Committers
    • Jaroslav Reznik (Red Hat) – Distributions
    • Randall Becker - Individuals
    • Jeff Johnson (Cisco) – Large Business
    • James Bourne (FireDaemon Technologies) – Small Business

Meeting Highlights

Governance and Structure

The committee was presented with OpenSSL’s new governance model, effective from March 2024. This model introduces Business and Technical Advisory Committees to strengthen community involvement, incorporate the perspectives of our communities, and ensure informed and transparent decision-making to better serve our Mission.

Role and Responsibilities of BAC

The role of the BAC was presented, emphasizing its independence and transparency. The BAC is responsible for defining “what” should be worked on, helping OpenSSL build informed plans and roadmaps for the future. It is important to note that this inaugural BAC will play a key role in shaping and evolving how the committee operates moving forward.

Addressing Project Challenges

The committee was presented the challenges OpenSSL faced and how they were mitigated. The creation of BAC and TAC is one more step forward to alleviate more challenges.

Current Initiatives and Future Plans

We shared our current backlog items, including plans for post-quantum cryptography, QUIC server improvements, and FIPS 140-3 validation. The discussion also focused on future release plans and feature prioritization, emphasizing how the BAC can contribute immediately to shaping OpenSSL’s direction.

Support and Resources

OpenSSL Corporation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the BAC through logistical, financial, and communication resources. A dedicated budget was allocated to fund BAC initiatives, underlining the Corporation’s investment in the committee’s success.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Plans were proposed for an in-person meeting in May 2025. And we will have another chance to meet and share BAC’s progress at the OpenSSL Conference in Prague this October.

Key Action Items

  • Members need to work out a way to best engage with their respective community and establish a communication channel.
  • Members will actively engage with their respective communities to gather feedback and represent diverse interests.
  • The committee will organize and schedule regular meetings for the members.
  • The OpenSSL Corporation Board will set up recurring meetings with the BAC.
  • Regular BAC meetings will be organized with a schedule accommodating all members.
  • Exploration of openssl-communities.org as a platform for community discussions and decision-making.
  • Members will confirm availability for the proposed in-person meeting.

Conclusion

The first BAC meeting wrapped up with OpenSSL Corporation reaffirming its support for the committee’s advisory role. With a focus on open decision-making and active community involvement, both the Corporation and BAC members are committed to strengthening OpenSSL’s impact. By drawing on diverse expertise and providing the necessary resources, the BAC is ready to help OpenSSL build a more inclusive and forward-thinking future.

Stay tuned for updates on BAC initiatives and upcoming events.