Your Voice Belongs Here: How to Get Involved in the OpenSSF Community

One of the most common misconceptions we hear in the OpenSSF community is that you need special permission to contribute. 

You do not.

OpenSSF is built on the belief that open source security is stronger when more voices are involved. Whether you work in developing software, security engineering, leadership, open source, policy, marketing, or community building, your experience matters, and your perspective belongs here.

You Don’t Need Permission to Contribute

Sharing knowledge at OpenSSF is not exclusive or limited to a small group. It is designed for members and the broader community to learn from one another.

There are many ways to contribute, including blogs, tech talks, podcasts, project updates, case studies, and white papers. These opportunities exist to share real-world insights, lessons learned, and practical experience from across the ecosystem.

If you have something to share, we want to hear from you.

Getting Started with OpenSSF

If you are wondering where to begin, OpenSSF offers a simple way to navigate your involvement through the OpenSSF User Journeys.

The Journeys are designed to guide people through the community based on their role, interests, and level of experience. It outlines practical entry points for software developers, security engineers, open source program offices, marketing, and communications professionals, along with curated resources to help you move forward.

Whether you are just starting to explore open source security or are ready to actively contribute, our Getting Started guide helps you understand what your next step could be and how to move forward at your own pace.

Staying Connected & Informed

OpenSSF offers several ways to help members share their work more broadly.

Members can participate in our communications effort in multiple ways such as podcast interviews, including new video options for Premier Members, present through the Tech Talks webinar program aligned to quarterly themes, and submit content to the OpenSSF newsletter, which reaches nearly 12,000 subscribers. We also help amplify member initiatives, events, and launches through our social channels and website. 

Staying engaged with OpenSSF helps you keep up with new resources, events, calls for proposals, and learning opportunities.

Following OpenSSF on social media, subscribing to the monthly newsletter, and joining Slack are simple ways to stay informed and support the visibility of open source security work.

Slack is where OpenSSF working groups collaborate, questions get answered, and community connections form.

There are dedicated channels for each working group and project, as well as for the Marketing Advisory Council, the Editorial Review Panel, and Developer Relations (DevRel). Once you join, you are welcome to explore and participate in the channels that match your interests. 

Member-Driven Impact & Working Groups

OpenSSF is a member-driven organization, but its technical initiatives, working groups, and community programs are open to everyone. While members help guide the foundation’s strategic direction, participation is not limited to membership.

For individuals who contribute outside of a member organization, your work is valued, and all credit will be attributed to you personally, not to your employer.

Everyone can get involved – whether that means to contribute occasionally, or support involvement by encouraging engineers and security experts from your organization to join. Any level of participation helps expand the reach of open source security work and strengthen the ecosystem.

OpenSSF currently has ten working groups focused on different areas of securing open source. These groups cover topics such as AI and machine learning security, best practices, global cyber policy, project security baselines, and belonging and representation. Working groups are where ideas turn into guidance, tools, and long-term impact for the community. View the calendar and join a meeting.

Participation and Member Opportunities

While everyone is welcome in our community, OpenSSF membership offers structured and accessible ways to participate and elevate your impact.

We support Premier, General, and Associate Members and provide clear contribution pathways based on interest and capacity. 

Being a member gives your organization dedicated channels to contribute technical reports and other thought-leadership content for publication through OpenSSF channels, sharing research, and practical guidance that help improve open source security across ecosystems. Opportunities also include membership spotlights, highlighted interviews, and coordinated social media promotion, enabling members to amplify their work while advancing community-driven security outcomes. See the full list of current OpenSSF members and membership benefits. 

Watch the short overview video to learn how to get involved in the OpenSSF community and explore the ways members can share, contribute, and participate.

Join Us and Get Involved

Open source security works best when it is collaborative.

If you have been waiting for permission to participate, this is your invitation. Start by attending a Working Group meeting, joining a community event, or simply listening in to learn how things work. Join OpenSSF as a member, get involved, and help shape the future of open source security.