A recent IBM report reveals a concerning trend: the global average cost of a data breach is projected to reach $4.9 million in 2024. This represents a 10% increase since the previous year and is the highest figure ever recorded. In light of this escalating threat landscape, organizations are increasingly adopting a DevSecOps framework to enhance their security posture and mitigate the risk of breaches during software delivery. DevSecOps integrates Development, Security, and Operations from the outset within a Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) process, becoming the preferred strategy for securing the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
The Core Principles of DevSecOps
At its heart, DevSecOps aims to foster collaboration among Operations and Development teams right from the initial stages of software development. This collaboration enables teams to identify and rectify vulnerabilities early, thereby reducing the risk of security incidents. As developers make changes to fulfill business requirements, including security needs, they can quickly become overwhelmed by the volume of risks identified through various security testing methods—such as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and Software Composition Analysis (SCA). To combat the growing backlog of security vulnerabilities, a unified team effort is essential to maintain efficient software release cycles.
Obtain Leadership Commitment
Organizational leaders play a pivotal role in addressing security needs as part of broader business objectives. Establishing comprehensive governance over security functions is critical. Leadership commitment is necessary for promoting an effective DevSecOps program and implementing security processes aligned with the organization’s risk appetite. This involves advocating for a security-first culture and ensuring that security considerations are integrated into all stages of the software development process.
Leaders should also promote an Agile approach to securing DevOps processes and allocate the necessary resources to facilitate the enforcement of DevSecOps practices. For example, creating secure coding standards can enhance awareness among developers regarding security expectations and organizational goals. By sharing lessons learned from past incidents, teams can better understand how to mitigate prevalent vulnerabilities and track key performance indicators.
Expand Security Awareness and Skills Development
As developers continuously introduce new features, they may inadvertently expand the attack surface. It is crucial for teams to stay informed about the evolving threat landscape related to their specific programming languages and frameworks. Investing in skills development for employees involved in the SDLC can create a foundational understanding of their roles in maintaining security. Implementing role-based security training reinforces the concept that security is a collective responsibility shared across the organization.
To address the perception of security teams as bottlenecks in the development process, organizations should implement targeted training tailored to various roles—including architects, engineers, DevOps personnel, testers, and product owners. This comprehensive training approach fosters a culture where all stakeholders understand their contributions to security throughout the SDLC, encouraging active participation.
Promote Collaboration Among Development, Security, and Operations
To dismantle silos between development, security, and operations, organizations should consider implementing a Security Champions program. This initiative empowers developers who are well-versed in the product’s technology to effectively communicate risks and security considerations to their peers. Additionally, creating playbooks for documentation can enhance transparency and facilitate the integration of security testing processes within the workflow.
Traditionally, the development team focused on rapid delivery, the security team ensured application safety, and the operations team maintained system stability. DevSecOps changes this paradigm by promoting collaboration among all three roles, fostering a shared goal of delivering software that is both secure and stable. This collective ownership nurtures a holistic approach to security, ensuring that all team members contribute to risk mitigation.
Leverage Automation in Security Processes
In an effective DevSecOps environment, security criteria are consistently applied throughout the software delivery pipeline. This includes practices such as source code analysis, container security scanning, and Policy as Code (PaC) compliance checks. By automating these processes, organizations can achieve reliable security integration, shorten feedback loops, and expedite the remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
Moreover, organizations should consider leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) as a proactive approach to detecting anomalies in source code and accelerating remediation efforts. By incorporating AI-driven tools, organizations can enhance their resilience against emerging threats, enabling quicker responses to potential security issues. This automation not only streamlines workflows but also empowers teams to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down in routine security checks.
Measure Success and Continuous Improvement
For organizations implementing a cultural approach to security, measuring success is essential. This can be achieved through regular assessments of security performance and ongoing evaluation of security practices. Establishing clear metrics allows organizations to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. This might involve analyzing data on incident response times, the frequency of security training sessions, and the overall effectiveness of security measures.
Creating an environment of continuous improvement encourages teams to learn from past experiences, adapt to new challenges, and remain vigilant against evolving threats. By fostering a culture that prioritizes security as a shared responsibility, organizations can create a more secure software development landscape.
Conclusion
As the DevSecOps paradigm continues to gain traction, organizations can effectively tackle complex security challenges by adopting a cultural approach that emphasizes collective responsibility. Security should be viewed not merely as a function of a specific team but as a vital aspect of the organization’s overall mission. By promoting collaboration, enhancing training initiatives, and leveraging automation, organizations can build a robust security framework that safeguards their applications and data in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
About the Author
Kelly Onu is an accomplished cybersecurity engineer with more than 7 years of experience. Kelly is currently a senior security engineer at a consulting firm and has successfully contributed to numerous projects throughout her career in both application and cloud security across various industries. She is active in the cybersecurity community, she is a member at IEEE, Women in Cybersecurity, ISACA and ISC2. Kelly holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity from The Georgia Institute of Technology.
Disclaimer: The author is completely responsible for the content of this article. The opinions expressed are their own and do not represent IEEE’s position nor that of the Computer Society nor its Leadership.
