the RAID will be fine, nothing can block the SoftRAID driver from loading.

A third party app can only block the SoftRAID Monitor, or tell MacOS not to load it at startup. So you could get an error, "A part of the SoftRAID MOnitor failed" when you launch SoftRAID.

If the SoftRAID app launches, then you are 100% fine. If you get that error, then you know what is causing it.

If the SoftRAID application stops working, you will know why.

When BitDefender "whitelists" SoftRAID,  we can check for that version and stop putting up the notice.

If SoftRAID is working for you, with Bit Defender installed, then check "do not show again".

I am running macOS Ventura 13.6.3 on both a 2018 15" MacBook Pro (Intel) and a 202116" MacBook Pro (M1 Max). I have installed the 7.6.1 updated on the Intel machine, but not on the Apple Silicon one. I suspect the problem does/will not occur in Ventura, as it is using the 7.5 driver. So far, so good.

I had this exact same reaction. I'm well aware what the OS provides and what other third party applications provide. I don't need a cybersecurity tutorial from a RAID software provider. I need a RAID software provider that works with Bitdefender, which is highly trusted and used by many. "The OS comes with enough" is what Microsoft has been saying for years too - should I just trust Windows too? XProtect is the most basic of basic malware tools and what you heard once at a conference is not persuasive. This blog post has some key points: 

https://lawrenceedwards.uk/why-bitdefender-is-better-than-xprotect-for-mac-security/?no_cache=1698048243

I am completely baffled by the SoftRAID response and approach here. I will switch RAID solutions before I remove any malware/antivirus protection from a critical storage system. I paused when I saw the warning and said I need to lookup what's going on with Bitdefender and now I'm just completely dumbfounded.

We have been reached out by someone there, I doubt they will tell an end user. I am not sure the status, however. I have a technical description of the issue for any company that we find has an issue with SoftRAID.

Here is a more technical description:

The SoftRAID application relies on two background processes for normal operation, a daemon (softraidd) and an agent (SoftRAID_Monitor).  If an application allows the user to block the correct functioning of either of these processes, that is the reason they are on our list of incompatible applications.

the SoftRAID driver will still function. But if Monitor is blocked from loading at startup, the Application will not work and Monitor cannot report problems.

the problem apps do not appear to (by default) block the Monitor, but must give the user the option to at some point, as most users are able to use these without problems.  So if you have Bitdefender running, you can choose to "do not show this dialog again", and keep using it, not changing any settings in BitDefender. Its up to you.

Yes, I understood in general terms that Bitdefender can disable the SoftRAID monitor under certain conditions. Again, my point is this: It's unclear -- to me, at least -- under what circumstances it does that. Is it in response to an option that Bitdefender user can turn off or on, or is because of some characteristic of the monitor that causes Bitdefender to see it as a security threat. This is where I see a need for both companies to cooperate.

If you do not have completion on your case, post the case number.

You can disable the alert about third party software. Just be sure you never disable any launch agents, etc, especially SoftRAID or OWC, and you will be fine. the "incompatibility" is not with the application, but any feature that can actively disable SoftRAID Monitor. It cannot affect the SoftRAID driver.

But maybe they have contacted OWC, but just don't want to tell me?