If you are familiar with DevOps and have been considering the methodology, you should also be looking into implementing DevSecOps into your organization. Namely, DevSecOps is an upgrade of DevOps which implies that security is just as important as development and operations. These two teams should be held accountable for security and should look to implement security as a factor in their decision-making. In return, your organization should make sure that security is built into the applications it develops instead of attaching it to them afterward. This results in continuous integration without worrying about staying compliant and quicker delivery and release.
Benefits of Using DevSecOps
Fast and Risk-free security
One of the main goals that DevOps aims to achieve is to avoid the jam of operations tasks that congest just before release. The development team is always looking to code as fast as possible, regardless of the number of checks needed before the results can go live. This causes massive congestion of issues that need to be checked at the last minute, so many issues would go unnoticed. Because of this, the quality of the product occasionally suffers, and customers might be dissatisfied.
Of course, security checks are no exception and are usually jammed up in the same manner. The solution for this issue is in DevSecOps tools, as the methodology dictates that security needs to be assessed continuously. In the DevSecOps pipeline, the security experts are present from beginning to end and perform security checks at any given chance. The congestion of issues before release is completely eliminated and your organization can deliver code quickly while ensuring security.
Improved Reliability
Just because DevSecOps allows you to deliver code quickly it doesn’t mean that you are taking shortcuts when it comes to security. Quite contrary – the security achieved with this methodology is even more reliable. With the use of automation, you improve security by eliminating the factor of human error. The automation in DevSecOps identifies and calls attention to the security vulnerabilities of the code. It also gives you the visibility to decide what is the best way to solve the security issues early in the timeframe. By solving issues early, you avoid going back and can enjoy continuous flow while releasing high-quality products.
Guaranteed Compliance
Even though compliance has always been important, with new rules and regulations appearing year by year, it has become more important than ever. Of course, organizations are always looking to protect client data, however, failing to do so nowadays can result in a hefty fine and a stain on your reputation. In addition to the security checks in the DevSecOps pipeline, there are also compliance checks that make sure that your organization remains compliant at all times.
Reduced Costs
One of the main pillars upon which DevSecOps is based is automation. In general, automation aims to deliver 3 main goals:
- Faster & better workflow,
- Increased reliability,
- Reduced costs.
With DevSecOps, you can minimize your expenses in multiple ways, including having a reduced need for manpower, faster releases, elimination of fees, and other benefits.
Implementing DevSecOps
If you are looking to implement DevSecOps into your organization, there are 6 points you need to remember in order to successfully adopt this methodology:
- Analyze the code and act accordingly – namely, it would be best if you deliver your code in small and frequent releases. This will give you the option to perform security checks regularly.
- Run automated tests frequently – you should be running automated tests at every stage of development.
- Empower your developers – equip your development team with the tools and expertise needed to suggest critical security changes.
- Aim for continuous compliance – whether you create new code, or make adjustments to the old code, always collect evidence of compliance in real-time.
- Stay prepared for threats – by frequently conducting pen tests, code reviews, and scans.
- Invest in training – DevSecOps requires advanced knowledge in security for your whole team, so consider investing in a training program.
Conclusion
In summary, implementing DevSecOps can be quite beneficial for your company. With the help of DevSecOps, you can drastically improve your company’s security, speed up overall delivery, ensure compliance, and reduce costs. Implementing DevSecOps can be a challenging task, though there are many tools online that can make it a lot easier. Consider looking them up if you are ready to adopt the framework and take advantage of the many benefits it offers.