How to Optimize Your DevSecOps: Some Essential Tips

DevSecOps is no longer just a trend. It is an essential component to building secure software that can withstand modern attacks.

The system brings together developers and security teams into one cohesive unit. It helps the organization create more secure products faster than ever before. However, DevSecOps can be optimized for even better performance. 

The concept of DevSecOps is not new and has been making rounds for a while now. So, if you already know the answer to “what is dev sec ops?” and your organization has already implemented the protocols, here are some tips to help you optimize your existing security infrastructure. 

Implement Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery

One of the critical benefits of DevSecOps is that it helps speed up the software development process. It is possible because DevSecOps integrates security into the development process, so there are no delays caused in waiting for security reviews.

However, this idea can be deployed only if a robust Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline exists. If your CI/CD pipeline is slow or unreliable, it will negate the benefits of DevSecOps.

Automate Security Testing

Automating security testing is essential to making DevSecOps work effectively. By automating security tests, you can ensure that they are run regularly and that the results are immediately available to developers. It helps ensure that security is integrated into the development process and that no new vulnerabilities are introduced into the codebase.

Security automation tools are also essential for automating the process of securing your applications. These tools can help automate vulnerability scanning, patch management, and compliance monitoring. You can free up security professionals to focus on more critical tasks by automating these tasks.

Embrace Open-source Security Tools

Open-source security tools are the best way to optimize DevSecOps because they are free, well-supported, and easy to use. Utilizing open-source tools also ensures no vendor lock-in with proprietary technologies. Another key benefit of using open-source security tools is upgrading to the latest versions for free.

Make Your DevSecOps a Priority

DevSecOps isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing effort. It requires continued training and support from the organization.

When there is no longer a dedicated person or team handling security concerns in this environment, things can start to slide, and security becomes an afterthought. The team must remain focused on openness, collaboration, and communication for DevSecOps to succeed.

Keep Communication Open Between Teams

Collaboration is one of the essential elements of DevSecOps. Without open lines of communication between developers and security teams, it isn’t easy to produce secure software.

For DevSecOps to succeed, the teams need to share information and work together towards a common goal. It includes sharing both successes and failures.

Use Pre-built Security Tools

According to reports, nine out of ten cybersecurity experts find cloud security a primary concern in using cloud computing.

Pre-built security tools are available for the development team to use. Tools are included in frameworks, libraries, and runtimes. It allows developers working on different platforms a common approach without recreating the wheel every time they work on a new product or service.

Work With Security Vendors

Security vendors provide solutions that can help incorporate security into the development cycle.

Vendors provide a range of solutions from vulnerability scanning and malware detection to threat modeling workshops and training sessions for developers. They can also bridge the DevSecOps teams and other security vendors such as penetration testers or bug bounty programs.

Make Security an Incentive

One of the effective ways to ensure that security is an ongoing priority and becomes part of the development cycle is to make it a recruiting and retention tool. Incentivizing developers with rewards such as bug bounties, reviews for conferences or meetups, or other perks can help them feel appreciated while also helping to keep security high on the priority list. A financial incentive also ensures that security remains an ongoing priority.

Provide Security Training for Developers

Providing education and training is another way to keep security at the forefront of everyone’s minds, including developers. These types of training can help develop a culture shift towards building more secure software. Security training can include secure coding practices, threat modeling, and how to use security tools.

Use a DevOps Platform

A DevOps platform can help automate and streamline incorporating security into the development cycle. These platforms provide several features such as automation, collaboration, and reporting to support the security team’s work more effectively.

DevOps platforms provide a centralized location for all the tools, scripts, and processes to develop, test, and deploy software. 

While knowing the answer to “what is Dev Sec Ops?” is important, it is even more important to understand how to successfully implement it to the fullest extent in your organization. 

The keys to a successful DevSecOps program are openness, collaboration, and communication. The development team must have a strong relationship with security teams for this program to be effective. 

In addition, it’s crucial to automate as many security tasks as possible so that security is an integrated part of the development process.