DevSecOps Implementation: Key Strategies for Integrating Security into DevOps

As security becomes increasingly important to the software industry, more teams are looking to add DevSecOps processes in their development pipeline. This allows them to build secure, compliant solutions from the ground up, saving time and money. However, change is never easy and a DevSecOps implementation is no exception and requires a thoughtful approach.

In this article we’ll explore key strategies to make implementing DevSecOps tools and processes as easy and effective as possible. In this article you’ll learn what DevSecOps methodology is and 5 helpful strategies to make a DevSecOps implementation as smooth as possible.

What is the DevSecOps Methodology?

DevSecOps is an approach that integrates security into every phase of the software development lifecycle, rather than treating it as an afterthought. As with the DevOps methodology, DevSecOps is designed for ongoing collaboration and input from stakeholders across the development pipeline, breaking down silos.

By embedding security practices into development and operations, teams can catch security vulnerabilities early, ensure security requirements are met, leading to more secure, compliant, and reliable software. 

This methodology is gaining popularity because it balances the need for speed and innovation with the critical importance of security, making it a preferred choice in today’s fast-paced development environments. At least 36% of developers use DevSecOps methods, with the number rising each year.

Source

5 DevSecOps Implementation Strategies

Foster Collaboration and User Adoption

Getting everyone on board is crucial for a smooth DevSecOps implementation. If developers, technicians, or other team members aren’t fully engaged, the process can become fraught with frustration. 

Moreover, digital implementation project failure rates are notoriously high and poor user adoption is often cited as a key reason why these projects fail.

The key to overcoming this hurdle is creating a culture where everyone feels involved and understands the importance of integrating security into their workflow–as early as possible. By promoting open communication and collaboration from the start, you help ensure that security isn’t just an afterthought but a shared goal. 

This not only makes the transition smoother but also helps everyone feel invested in the outcome.

Assess Current Security Practices

Before diving into a DevSecOps implementation, it’s essential to take a close look at your current security practices. This assessment helps pinpoint areas that need improvement and sets the foundation for your DevSecOps goals. 

By understanding what’s working and what isn’t, you can better tailor your approach to integrating security into your development pipeline. For instance, if you create solutions for use in highly regulated industries, you may want to ensure that compliance requirements are more easily defined and met.

If you’re unsure where to start, seeking guidance from an outside expert, like a vCISO, can provide an objective, clear-eyed view of your security landscape, and your next steps forward.

This external perspective can be invaluable in identifying hidden vulnerabilities and ensuring you’re starting from a solid foundation.

Embrace Automation

Automation is a foundation of DevSecOps methodology and a cornerstone of successful DevSecOps implementation. Automation tools make moving through tedious, labor intensive security tasks of a development project faster with fewer errors and without specialized training.

By incorporating automated tools, you can streamline security processes and ensure consistent protection throughout the development lifecycle. Common automations in DevSecOps include:

• Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Analyzes source code for vulnerabilities early in the development process.
• Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Tests running applications for security issues in real-time.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Pipelines: Automate the build, testing, and deployment of code with integrated security checks.

Embracing these automations helps reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and maintain a high level of security without slowing down development.

To learn more about DevSecOps automation tools, click here.

Address Security Across the SDLC

In DevSecOps, security needs to be embedded at every stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), not just at the beginning or the end. This continuous focus helps catch vulnerabilities early and maintain compliance throughout the process.

A key practice in this approach is Infrastructure as Code (IaC), which allows teams to manage infrastructure through code. IaC ensures that security configurations are consistently applied across all environments, making security an integral part of each phase, from development to deployment. This way, security becomes a continuous and automated process, aligned with the development lifecycle.

Leverage External Cybersecurity Expertise

Bringing in external expertise can add immense insight and value when implementing DevSecOps processes. A seasoned external cybersecurity consultant can guide your team through the implementation process and ensure the final result fosters continued, robust security throughout the CI/CD pipeline.

They can provide expert knowledge to the project that your internal team may not have. This is a great way to access specialized talent without having to bring on a new team member. With experience in risk management and compliance, they can be a wonderful ally to identify gaps, recommend best practices, and offer a clear roadmap tailored to your organization’s needs.

Accelerate DevSecOps Flow and Implementation with Silent Sector

Start your DevSecOps off on the right step with guidance and support from Silent Sector. Our consultants regularly help software teams build robust risk management programs to support their DevSecOps processes and overall cybersecurity protocols, and we can help you too.

We have nearly 10 years of cybersecurity experience and are dedicated to helping American companies build strong, secure, and resilient risk and compliance programs. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can make your DevSecOps implementation easy and effective.