DevOps can ensure compliance by incorporating automated policy enforcement into the development process, but how does security fit into DevOps without hindering software development?

Security deals with many protocols that are baked into the development process rather than added as a “layer on top”. Today, professionals harness the power of agile methodologies – together as a team – instead of a shortcut to deliver insecure code.

Back in 2016, professionals were always questioned about security over DevOps environments – especially vulnerabilities being questioned on DOCKER for measures that should be taken, snapshots, public images, unsecured communication, inconsistent updates, and patches etc.

The philosophy of DevSecOps

Now, teams are creating a ‘Security as Code’ culture with on-going development. This comes with concepts of security testing, infrastructure testing, and is not limited to traditional automation or are QA specific.

The philosophy of DevSecOps integrating security practices within the DevOps process has given testers a more formal way to deploy secure DevOps systems.

With this movement, DevOps itself is focused on creating new solutions for complex software development processes within an agile framework.

DevSecOps is a natural and necessary response to the bottleneck effect of older security models on the modern continuous delivery pipeline. The goal is to bridge traditional gaps between IT and security while ensuring fast, safe delivery of code. Silo thinking is replaced by increased communication and shares the responsibility of security tasks during all phases of the delivery process.

DevSecOps has streamlined the process, now not only focusing on —“speed of delivery” but also on “secure code”.

The benefits of SecOps

Security is tested early and more often as you execute regression aka security regression in iterations as this will have to be completed within the sprint or delivery cycle. Critical security issues are dealt with as they become apparent, not after a threat or compromise has occurred.

Professionals that focus on security operations (SecOps) reap the below benefits:

• High ROI in existing security infrastructure
• Operational efficiencies
• Improvements across the security
• Improvements across the rest of the IT world.

Additionally, cloud service providers have also provided benefits in securing infrastructure and systems helping through security efforts. For example, AWS provides benefits of increased preventive and detective security controls within the continuous integration and deployment model of AWS.

In conclusion, security has been provided as additional services and slowly has become an inherent delivery culture of DevOps delivery process.

Written by Jitander Kapil, Director( QA & DevOps) at Datopic Technologies, Noida, India.