Understanding DevSecOps: Integrating Security into Development

But before we delve into what DevSecOps (Development, Security and Operations) is, let's take a quick look at the provenance of how we got here.

We started out with writing machine-level instructions by hand, the development of higher-level programming languages (COBOL, Fortran, BASIC), the personal computer arrived, the Internet (browsers), then onwards to mobile applications, and now, the cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and quantum computing.

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) also saw changes. Starting with the Waterfall methodology (each phase depends on the previous phase deliverables), Agile (small iterative changes delivered as quickly as possible to production), with a DevOps (Development operations) mindset of delivering and maintaining quality of software.

And now, errors in source code have moved on from quality to reducing vulnerabilities of software delivered or deployed to production.

This is DevSecOps - an approach that integrates security practices into every phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Unlike traditional methods where security is ‘bolted-on’ after delivery to production – a conversation for technical debt - DevSecOps plans for, and addresses, security from the very beginning of the planning stage, ensuring that software vulnerabilities are identified, reducing risk associated, while meeting security strategy objectives.

So, onto the Core Principles of DevSecOps:

Shift-Left Security: Incorporate automated security testing during design and coding.

Automation of Security Testing: Automated security scanning tools are integrated into the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), such as examining the source code on check-in, with Static Application Security Testing (SAST), automated versioning and documentation, followed by a build environment to test the running application in a test environment - Dynamic Application Security Test (DAST).

• Communication and collaboration: Encourage a culture where development, security, and operations teams collaborate closely—no silos! This ensures that security is a shared responsibility, with all teams working together to address potential vulnerabilities throughout the development process.
• Continuous Monitoring and Feedback: Implementing continuous monitoring allows development and operations teams to detect and respond to security incidents in real time. Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing improve security measures for ongoing development cycles.

And the Benefits of Adopting DevSecOps?

• Security Posture: By addressing software vulnerabilities early and continuously, organisations can reduce the likelihood of data loss.
• Time-to-Market: Automating security processes allows for near real-time software vulnerabilities, a speedier resolution of issues, leading to faster software delivery.
• Cost Efficiency: Reducing software vulnerabilities prior to delivery to production reduces the cost and time spent resolving incidents that have led to data losses.
• Improved Compliance: Continuous monitoring and automated testing help in maintaining compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Training: Educate development, security, and operations teams on DevSecOps principles and practices. Courses like ISC2's Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP®), Practical DevSecOps Professional - Self-paced and Practical DevSecOps Expert - Self-paced help Security, Development and Operations teams learn the best security practices for the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and prepare for globally recognised certifications.
• Choosing the Right Tools: Select the appropriate automated security tools for scanning, measurement and monitoring, while avoiding security tool bloat.
• Encourage a Security-First Culture: Promote the mindset that security is everyone’s responsibility, not just the security team's.
• Continuously Evaluating and Improving: Regularly assess threats, security practices, and tools to adapt to evolving threats and technologies.

A sidebar conversation: how AI integrates and interacts with software development. While a response to that requires more detail, an immediate thought is to pair software developers with AI tools… make the software your own intellectual property.

DevSecOps is a proactive approach that integrates security into every phase of the software development lifecycle. By adopting DevSecOps, organisations can build secure applications efficiently, reduce risks, and improve overall software quality.

DevSecOps training and certification fosters a proactive, collaborative, and automated approach to secure software development. Training can be instructor-led or done independently. A self-paced version of the ISC2 CSSLP® course is available. Skilling enhances quality, reduces risks, and speeds up delivery.