If you’ve been working in or are interested in IT, you’ve probably heard the term ‘DevSecOps’ bandied about, but what does it really mean, and how do you put it into practice?

What is DevSecOps?

Probably in simple terms, DevSecOps is DevOps that has ‘security baked into it.’ Integrating security is not an afterthought, but it is a way of thinking about security, not as a total wrap later on but instead as the way that the whole software development process is thought about. Imagine. It’s like building a house, making sure it has locks on the doors, instead of building a house and then realizing you need a security system. Makes sense, right?

It sounds easy in theory, but in practice, it isn’t. It’s figuring out how to balance speed, how to innovate, and how much security you can do at the same time. So, how do we navigate this? Let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces and walk through it.

The Basics: Why DevSecOps?

So, why even DevSecOps? Isn’t security already just another part of the job? Yes, but traditional security is typically bolted on at the end. That’s a problem. If you wait to check for security issues at the very end, you may have problems that require extensive rework. No one wants to go back and try to do something they thought they had already done. DevSecOps keeps security in the forefront, upfront, and therefore, it means fewer headaches (and fewer sleepless nights).

It also can’t be an afterthought, given how fast everything moves in tech these days when it comes to security. DevSecOps has to move at the same speed of development and operations.

Best Practices for DevSecOps

Let’s begin with some practical stuff. And how can we actually make DevSecOps work in the real world? Here are a few key practices you should consider:

1. Shift Left

This is one of those fancy terms you might hear frequently in DevSecOps. Moving security checks earlier in development – shifting left – becomes the new normal. Rather than waiting until the end of the day, we begin running and solving security issues during the design and code phases.

Suppose you’re writing an app and you can go and automate using tools that are scanning code for vulnerabilities as you write it. It’s like a spell checker but for security flaws. Early catches mean you’re more likely to have smaller, less expensive issues later. The time it saves you in the long run is a huge time saver!

2. Automation is Your Friend

DevSecOps is all about automating your process, and everyone uses automation. But really, no one has time to scrutinize every single part manually, particularly when you are working in a fast-moving environment. A lot of the grunt work comes already in automated testing tools.

The continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines are lifesavers. They help you to automatically run, build, and deploy your code safely at any time. Automation also cuts down on the risk of human error, something we all do occasionally.

3. Collaborate, Don’t Isolate

Collaboration is the key to DevSecOps. In the olden days, security teams were separate from development and operations. That may have created silos, but silos are the enemy of progress. In a DevSecOps world, you need everyone to be on the same page: developers, security people, and ops people all working together.

It is very important that communication is regular. In fact, actually scheduling regular meetings or touch points between these teams can help catch problems early and make sure everyone is on board. I’ll say one thing that has worked well: ‘security champions’ – developers who are trained in security best practices and act as a bridge between teams. Spreading security knowledge without making it overwhelming is a smart way.

4. Use the Right Tools

Without the right tools, you can’t practice DevSecOps effectively. You can find numerous such tools but it is important to pick the one that fits your team’s profile and your project. Here are a few types you’ll want to look into:

• Static Application Security Testing (SAST): These tools will analyze your source code for vulnerabilities.

• Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): These will test your running applications and find security holes.

• Software Composition Analysis (SCA): This will check third-party libraries or open-source components for vulnerabilities.

These tools all have their purpose, and using them together is a good way to have the right things prepared, just in case. Trust me, it’s definitely worth taking the time to try and find tools that fit into your workflow. Forcing something that doesn’t naturally fit into your process is not going to make you happy.

5. Prioritize a Security-First Culture

It might just be the most important point. You may even have the best tools and processes in place, but if your team isn’t on board with the idea that they need to maintain a focus on security, that all won’t work. Because DevSecOps isn’t just about tools and practices… it’s a mindset. Security is not something you can outsource to someone else (although there are some obvious exceptions); security needs to be part of everyone’s work all the time, and everyone on your team needs to understand why security is important and how they can contribute.

It’s like building a habit. You don’t go to the gym once and just be fit forever? The same goes for security. It has to be part of you (part of your daily routine) that you always have in the back of your head.

Real-World Challenges

And now it’s time to talk about the real elephant in the room – using these practices in the real world is hard. I get it. Every team has its own unique challenges, such as a strict budget, rush time to deliver the product, and security knowledge. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Here’s the thing: DevSecOps is a journey. You don’t need to tackle the whole thing all at once (and probably shouldn’t). Start small. Perhaps you start with security left or even with some automation. Once your team’s gotten comfortable with those foundations, then you can extend from there.

Don’t beat yourself up. Things won’t be perfect right away. Processes should be evolving, too, because security is always evolving. Small, consistent improvements are better than perfection.

My Experience: A Learning Curve

When I first started working with DevSecOps, it was overwhelming. So many parts to this! The more I worked with it, the more I realized that it’s not about doing everything perfectly from the get-go. Creating a process that works for your team is about being flexible and willing to change.

Conclusion

So, where do you begin? Just get started, that’s what I would say. Any step forward here is good: Shifting security left, introducing some automation, or creating some sort of collaboration between your teams. DevSecOps isn’t some far-off myth. It’s a real approach that can truly make a meaningful contribution, and it’s completely feasible with the right mindset and the proper tooling.

It’s hard to go from theory to real-world application, but if you’re patient and persistent, you will. And honestly, once you do, I promise you won’t know how you lived your life without it.