What Is DevSecOps and Why It Matters for Business

Today, in the world of information technology, there are many different practices and methodologies. One of these methodologies is DevSecOps. In this article, we will discuss what DevSecOps is, how its processes are organized, which tools are used when implementing DevSecOps practices, and also why and when a business should adopt and use DevSecOps.

What Is DevSecOps

DevSecOps (an abbreviation of three words: development, security, and operations) is a methodology based on secure application development by integrating security tools to protect continuous integration, continuous delivery, and continuous deployment of software using the DevOps model.

Previously, before the appearance of the DevSecOps methodology, software security testing was usually carried out at the very end of the process, after the product had already been released. DevSecOps fundamentally changes this approach by embedding security practices at every stage of development, not only when the product has been completed. This approach significantly increases the security of the development process and allows for the detection of a greater number of vulnerabilities.

The DevSecOps methodology does not replace the existing DevOps model and processes but rather integrates additional tools into each stage. Just like DevOps, the DevSecOps model relies on a high degree of automation.

Difference Between DevOps and DevSecOps

Although DevOps and DevSecOps are very similar (the latter even uses the same development model as DevOps and largely depends on the same processes), the main difference between them is that the DevOps methodology focuses on building efficient processes between development, testing, and operations teams to achieve continuous and stable application delivery, while DevSecOps is focused exclusively on integrating security tools.

While DevOps practices are concentrated on fixing development bugs, releasing updates regularly, and shortening the development life cycle, DevSecOps ensures information security.

Stages of DevSecOps

Since DevSecOps fully relies on DevOps, it uses the same stages as the DevOps model. The differences lie in the security measures taken and the tools used. Each tool is implemented and used strictly at its corresponding stage. Let’s consider these stages and the security measures applied at each of them.

Plan

Any development begins with planning the future project, including its architecture and functionality. The DevSecOps methodology is no exception. During the planning stage, security requirements for the future project are developed. This includes threat modeling, analysis and preliminary security assessment, and discussion of security tools to be used.

Code

At the coding stage, tools such as SAST are integrated.

SAST (Static Application Security Testing), also known as “white-box testing”, is the process of testing applications for security by identifying vulnerabilities and security issues within the source code. The application itself is not executed; only the source code is analyzed. SAST also relies on compliance with coding guidelines and standards.

Using SAST tools helps to identify and significantly reduce potential vulnerabilities at the earliest stage of development.

Build

At this stage, the program is built from source code into an executable file, resulting in an artifact ready for further execution. Once the program has been built, it is necessary to verify its internal functionality. This is where tools like DAST come into play.

DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing), also known as “black-box testing”, is the process of testing the functionality of a built and ready application by simulating real-world attacks on it. The main difference from SAST is that DAST does not analyze source code (and does not even require it); instead, it focuses solely on the functions of the running application.

Test

At the testing stage within DevSecOps, the focus is not only on standard testing such as automated tests, functional tests, and configuration tests, but also on security-oriented testing. This includes:

• Penetration testing (“pentest”)

• Regression testing

• Vulnerability scanning

The goal of testing is to identify as many vulnerabilities as possible before deploying the final product to the production environment.

Release

After product testing has been fully completed, the release and deployment to production servers are prepared. At this stage, the security role involves setting up user accounts for access to servers and necessary components (monitoring, log collection systems, web interfaces of third-party systems), assigning appropriate access rights, and configuring firewalls or other security systems.

Deploy

During the deployment stage, security checks continue, now focusing on the environments where the product is deployed and installed. Additional configuration and security policy checks are performed.

Monitoring

Once the release has been successfully deployed, the process of tracking the performance of the released product begins. Infrastructure monitoring is also performed, not only for production environments but also for testing and development environments. In addition to tracking system errors, the DevSecOps process is used to monitor potential security issues using tools such as intrusion detection systems, WAF (Web Application Firewall), and traditional firewalls. SIEM systems are used to collect incident data.

DevSecOps Tools

DevSecOps processes use a variety of tools that significantly increase the security of developed applications and the supporting infrastructure. The integrated tools automatically test new code fragments added to the system. Alongside commercial products, many open-source solutions are also used, some offering extended functionality.

Typically, all tools are divided into the following categories:

• Static code analysis tools: SonarQube, Semgrep, Checkstyle, Solar appScreener.
• Dynamic testing tools: Aikido Security, Intruder, Acunetix, Checkmarx DAST.
• Threat modeling tools: Irius Risk, Pirani, GRC Toolbox, MasterControl Quality Excellence.
• Build-stage analysis tools: OWASP Dependency-Check, SourceClear, Retire.js, Checkmarx.
• Docker image vulnerability scanners: Clair, Anchore, Trivy, Armo.
• Deployment environment security tools: Osquery, Falco, Tripwire.

Implementing DevSecOps

Before adopting DevSecOps practices in your company, it should be noted that this process does not happen instantly; it requires a well-thought-out, long-term implementation plan. Before implementation, make sure your company meets the following criteria:

• A large development team is in place.
• Development follows the DevOps model.
• Automation is extensively used in development processes.
• Applications are developed using microservice architecture.
• Development is aimed at a fast time-to-market.

The process of implementing DevSecOps consists of the following main stages:

• Preparatory Stage

At this stage, project participants are informed about the main ideas of using the DevSecOps methodology. It is important to introduce employees to the new security practice, explain the main advantages of the DevSecOps model, and how it helps solve security challenges. This can be done through seminars or specialized courses.

• Current State Assessment

At this stage, it is necessary to ensure that DevOps processes are already established within the team and that automation is widely used. It’s also important to understand the current development processes of your product, identify existing security issues, conduct threat modeling if necessary, and assess potential vulnerabilities.

• Planning the DevSecOps Implementation

At this stage, decisions are made regarding which tools will be used, how the security process will be structured, and how it will be integrated with the existing development process.

After successful completion of the familiarization and planning stages, you can begin pilot implementation of DevSecOps practices. Start small, with smaller teams and projects. This allows for faster and more effective evaluation before expanding to larger projects and teams, gradually scaling DevSecOps adoption. It’s also necessary to constantly monitor DevSecOps processes, identify problems and errors that arise during implementation. Each team member should be able to provide feedback and suggestions for improving and evolving DevSecOps practices.

Advantages of Using DevSecOps

The main advantage of implementing the DevSecOps methodology for business lies in saving time and costs associated with security testing by the information security department. DevSecOps also guarantees a higher level of protection against potential security problems.

In addition, the following benefits are noted when using DevSecOps:

• Early Detection of Security Threats During Development

When using the DevSecOps methodology, security tools are integrated at every stage of development rather than after the product is released. This increases the chances of detecting security threats at the earliest stages of development.

• Reduced Time to Market

To accelerate product release and improve time-to-market, DevSecOps processes can be automated. This not only reduces the time required to release a new product but also minimizes human error.

• Compliance with Security Requirements and Regulations

This requirement is especially important for developing banking, financial, and other systems that handle sensitive information, as well as for companies working with large datasets. It’s also crucial to consider national legal frameworks if the product is being developed for a country with specific data protection regulations. For example, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) used in the European Union.

• Emergence of a Security Culture

The DevSecOps methodology exposes development and operations teams more deeply to security tools and methods, thereby expanding their knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Why DevSecOps Is Necessary

The following arguments support the need to use the DevSecOps methodology in business:

• Security threats and issues in source code: Vulnerabilities and security problems directly related to the source code of developed applications. Source code is the foundation of any program, and thousands of lines may contain vulnerabilities that must be found and eliminated.

• Security threats in build pipelines: One of the key conditions of DevOps is the use of pipelines for building, testing, and packaging products. Security risks can appear at any stage of the pipeline.

• External dependency threats: Problems related to the use of third-party components (dependencies) during development, including libraries, software components, scripts, and container images.

• Security threats in delivery pipelines: Vulnerabilities in systems and infrastructure used to deliver applications, including both local and cloud components.

Conclusion

The DevSecOps methodology significantly helps increase the level of security in your DevOps processes. The model itself does not alter the existing DevOps concept; instead, it supplements it with continuous security practices. It is also important to note that DevSecOps does not explicitly dictate which tools must be used, giving full freedom in decision-making.

A well-implemented DevSecOps process in your company can greatly reduce security risks and accelerate the release of developed products to market.