It is true that DevOps allows companies to create applications at a much faster rate, one of the things that has allowed this being the reduction in the level of 'constraints', these being present in the original coding environment, the Operational Department, but not in the new coding team, the Development Team.
Those constraints were there for a reason, and their loss has particular consequences when it comes to security.
Integrating Security into the Software Development Lifecycle
With the number of 'bad actors' increasing every day, the fact is that no business can afford not to protect their online activities and applications from attack; the consequences of a major hack or data breach being far too damaging to contemplate.
There has also been an increase in the use of Open Source code and third-party libraries and frameworks. Both of these increase the possibility of a security breach through complacency, so unless specific action is taken, big problems can occur.
It was plain that something had to be done!
Enter DevSecOps, the answer to your development team's security concerns
DevSecOps has allowed for a huge step forwards in the area of software development. The main driver for this change being the way security practices have been integrated in the entire development lifecycle. This allows for seamless collaboration between development, security, and operations teams, which in turn create a culture of shared responsibility, everyone being on the same page when it comes to delivering secure and high-quality software.
This is a vital and much-needed step, organisations increasingly relying on digital solutions in their fast changing and competitive market places. Such a reliance demands a set of robust security measures, and luckily DevSecOps fully addresses this need.
It manages this by embedding security considerations into every stage of the software's development, from the initial planning stages right through to deployment and testing. This helps reduce risks and vulnerabilities, all the while enhancing the overall security posture of their applications and infrastructure.
In this article, we will explore the core principles of DevSecOps, as well as its key components, how it is implemented and examine the best practices. We'll also have a look at the tools and technologies needed to support its implementation and show how it differs from traditional DevOps methodologies.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned IT professional or are new to the field, this article will give you a view of what is 'under the hood' in the world of DevSecOps as well as its role in modern software development.
The Evolution of DevSecOps
From Waterfall to Agile: How and why it all started
The journey towards DevSecOps started when the traditional waterfall model of software development began to show weaknesses in the area of security. The traditional way of doing things was OK until the speed of development reached a certain point, at which the fact that security was often a low-priority issue, being 'bolted on' at the end of the development process, caused faults to creep in.
Even when organisations adopted agile methodologies and more collaborative and flexible approaches were brought in, the software development process still did not fully incorporate security measures. Security was often dealt with by separate teams who, by definition were not fully integrated into the development process.
The Rise of DevOps and DevSecOps
DevOps created an environment that bridged the gap between development and operations teams, allowing for improved collaboration, automation as well as introducing continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) in the software development lifecycle.
However, whilst DevOps improved speed and efficiency, it did not fully address the vital area of security. This led to the creation of DevSecOps, the next stage of the DevOps story.
Introducing Security into the Mix - The "Shift Left" Methodology
Shift Left in DevSecOps is a practice of integrating security earlier in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). The idea is to "shift" security considerations to the left side of the timeline—closer to the planning, coding, and development phases—rather than addressing them later during testing, deployment, or post-production.
This proactive approach aligns with the principles of DevSecOps, emphasizing collaboration among development, security, and operations teams to build secure software efficiently.
Key Components of Shift Left in DevSecOps:
Early Identification of Security Issues:
Detect and fix vulnerabilities during coding rather than after deployment, saving time and costs.Automated Security Testing:
Tools like static application security testing (SAST) and dynamic application security testing (DAST) are integrated into CI/CD pipelines to provide instant feedback.Developer Empowerment:
Equip developers with training, tools, and frameworks to write secure code from the start.Continuous Feedback:
Automated systems continuously monitor for vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights during development.Collaboration Across Teams:
Foster a culture where security is a shared responsibility, involving both developers and security professionals from the outset.
Benefits of Shifting Left in DevSecOps:
Cost Efficiency:
Fixing security flaws early is significantly cheaper than addressing them later.Faster Delivery:
Prevents late-stage delays caused by last-minute security fixes.Improved Security Posture:
Ensures vulnerabilities are minimized early, reducing risks in production.Better Quality Software:
Incorporates security as a quality metric from the beginning.
Example Tools Used in Shift Left Practices:
SAST:
Tools like SonarQube, Checkmarx, or Fortify.Software Composition Analysis (SCA):
Tools like Snyk, Black Duck, or Dependabot.Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Scanning:
Tools like Terraform Validator or Checkov.Unit Tests with Security Focus:
Custom tests written to validate secure functionality.
By adopting the shift-left approach, organisations can build secure, reliable, and high-quality software while maintaining the agility and speed that DevOps encourages.
Challenges and Considerations - Balancing Speed and Security
One of the main challenges in implementing DevSecOps is achieving the right balance between development speed and security. Organisations have to find ways to integrate security procedures into the process without significantly slowing it down.
Strategies for balancing speed and security include:
Using risk-based security testing to decide on critical issues
Using automation where possible
Ensuring security is considered very early in the development process
Using parallel security testing systems, thus minimising pipeline delays
Continuously refining and optimising the way security is built into the processes
By finding the best balance, organisations can maintain development speed while also ensuring robust security procedures are in place.
Skills Gap and Training Needs
As with any new approach, the issue of skills gaps and training requirements come to the fore. Introducing DevSecOps into the equation is no different, team members often lacking the necessary expertise in both development and security practices.
Such gaps need to be bridged as a part of any ongoing training and skill development schedules
Some way the skills gap can be addressed are:
The provision of security training for developers and operations teams
Providing cross-functional training to promote understanding between teams
Buying in external expertise and consulting services
Using a system of mentors to facilitate knowledge sharing
Ensuring staff attend security-focused conferences and workshops
By investing in skill development, companies and organisations ensure that their workforce can effectively implement and maintain DevSecOps practices.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, DevSecOps represents a fundamental shift in the manner that which the importance of security is built into the software development process. By integrating security practices in every stage of the application development lifecycle, DevSecOps allows organisations to deliver secure, high-quality software at speed, thus meeting the needs of today's competitive business market place.
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