The DevOps field is flourishing for engineers, yet it confronts a pressing issue: security. Traditionally an afterthought, integrating security into the DevOps pipeline poses significant risks. As the “shift-left” security movement gains momentum, relying solely on DevOps expertise proves inadequate.
Enter DevSecOps, the hailed successor of DevOps. This philosophy mandates security vigilance throughout software development and deployment stages. While Synopsys data shows increased security testing, a Progress survey reveals a gap in understanding security’s DevSecOps role for over half of respondents.
In the journey toward DevSecOps mastery, five core principles demand attention for every DevOps engineer looking to elevate their skillset.
1. Zero Trust (ZT)
In today’s intricate coding landscape, each code segment interweaves multiple calls to diverse microservices and cloud-hosted applications. While infrastructure expansion is typical, the shift to DevOps introduces unique risks driven by automation and speed prioritization.
The conventional approach involves hardcoding access credentials for seamless production execution. This method, assuming trust across the network, suited an analog era. However, in today’s Zero Trust philosophy, access hinges on demonstrated trustworthiness. Though seemingly cynical, Zero Trust safeguards by expecting the worst, a cornerstone essential to DevSecOps.
Agile security operations usher in tools automating access authentication instead of relying on fixed data. These tools grant minimal essential access, terminating it post-retrieval. To flourish in a DevSecOps domain, developers must embrace the Zero Trust mindset, triggering transformations from security templates to code structures – all vital for thriving in this dynamic environment.
2. Container Orchestration
DevOps engineers grasp the intricacies of container orchestration, yet DevSecOps ushers in new dimensions. Orchestrating under the Zero Trust (ZT) paradigm vastly curtails container access, necessitating developers to adapt code for automated access revocation—a shift from the static access assumption prevalent in DevOps. DevSecOps further involves creating whitelists with hashed codes, intensifying interaction with orchestrated automation.
Agile security systems in DevSecOps segregate containers by risk, relying on concepts like namespaces to assign container IDs and control access. Cgroups, another facet, empower security teams to manage container access. Developers must collaborate with security counterparts to comprehend these dynamics and discern patterns that flag abnormal behavior, ensuring a secure environment.
Embracing DevSecOps entails recognizing security as a product feature, akin to functional components identified by product teams. While security’s heightened involvement may challenge developers, understanding this synergy is pivotal to thriving in a DevSecOps realm.
3. Chain of Custody
A “chain of custody” isn’t just a legal term it’s a navigational concept that tracks how evidence flows. In the software realm, it’s akin to a usage log detailing who interacted with a system, when, and how.
Yet, for many developers, the security facet often remains uncharted territory. In the realm of DevSecOps, however, modern enterprises meticulously document and audit all system-related activities, extending beyond the development pipeline.
Consider this: Developers now document code changes’ rationale and justify access to software assets. While these practices might feel invasive, they’re integral to chain of custody requirements.
Enterprises harness chain of custody logs to refine DevOps processes and boost efficiency. Thus, developers must embrace these rules, eschewing haphazard code alterations in favor of structured enhancements. A harmonious alliance with chain of custody principles unlocks secure and streamlined software evolution.
4. Static App Security Testing (SAST)
The harmony of testing and app development is DevSecOps’ paramount mission. While security automation alleviates concerns, it inadvertently relegates security testing to the shadows, becoming an enigmatic black box for developers.
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) emerges as a beacon in this challenge, shedding light on lurking security vulnerabilities within the source code. Armed with insights, developers promptly address weaknesses, guided by recommendations and in-line suggestions.
By meticulously navigating each code line and scanning for vulnerabilities, developers pave the path to fortified applications. SAST often pairs with Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), scrutinizing APIs and code-associated calls.
SAST, a testament to DevSecOps’ leftward shift, provides developers deeper security engagement. For those new to DevSecOps and security, SAST’s immediate detection of flaws might seem daunting initially. Recognizing security’s role as a product feature, rather than an appendage, infuses SAST with newfound value, fostering a more secure software development journey.
5. Software Configuration Management (SCM)
In the world of DevOps, Source Code Management (SCM) is a familiar terrain. Yet, as security joins forces, SCM transcends its role as version control and git repositories. It transforms into a guardian of compliance and industry regulations, particularly crucial for developers navigating sensitive sectors governed by stringent mandates.
While SCM’s custodianship often rests with the security team, its implications permeate developers’ reality, demanding awareness. Much of SCM intricately aligns with attack surface management, prompting developers to code with security implications at the forefront.
Consider this scenario: If fresh code hinges on altering existing app configurations, developers must collaborate with security to evaluate potential risks prior to committing changes. This proactive approach not only averts multiple security reviews but also circumvents looming hurdles in the development journey.
Security Is Now Central to DevOps
In DevOps, speed often overshadowed security, but that’s changing. Now, security is a CI/CD powerhouse. Developers, it’s time to embrace this shift to thrive. It’s like upgrading your toolkit for success in the new DevOps era.
