< All Topics

9. DevSecOps – Security Embedded into DevOps

Posted
Updated
Author -Rajkumar Aute
Views60

DevSecOps means integrating security into every stage of the DevOps pipeline.
Instead of treating security as a separate step at the end, DevSecOps makes security a shared responsibility of everyone Developers, Operations, QA, and Security teams.

DevSecOps = Development + Security + Operations working together.

15.1 Key security practices

1. Automated security scanning

Running security checks automatically during coding, building, and deploying.

  • Finds vulnerabilities early.
  • Saves time.
  • Reduces manual effort.
  • Prevents insecure code from reaching production.

Examples of scans: –

  • Code vulnerability scan
  • Container image scan
  • Dependency scan

Automation makes security continuous, not a one-time event.

—

2. Static & Dynamic analysis

Static Analysis (SAST): – Scans the source code before running the application.

Dynamic Analysis (DAST): – Tests the running application to find runtime issues like SQL injection, authentication bugs, etc.

Why both are important: –

  • Static analysis catches coding errors early
  • Dynamic analysis finds real-world attack risks

Combined, they give strong coverage.

—

3. SBOM – Software Bill of Materials

A detailed list of all components inside your software libraries, dependencies, open-source packages.

  • Helps track vulnerable libraries.
  • Essential for compliance.
  • Useful during zero-day attacks.
  • Gives full visibility of what you’re running.

SBOM is becoming a global security requirement.

—

4. Secrets Management

Secure handling of sensitive data like passwords, API keys, tokens, and certificates.

  • Prevents secrets from leaking in code.
  • Protects cloud accounts and databases.
  • Ensures safe access across environments.

Good practices: –

  • Do not store secrets in Git.
  • Use secret management tools.
  • Rotate secrets regularly.

Secrets must be protected like gold.

—

5. Least Privilege Access

Give only the minimum access needed to perform a task nothing more.

  • Reduces damage if an account is compromised.
  • Protects sensitive environments.
  • Prevents misuse of admin rights.

Least privilege is the foundation of secure access management.

—

6. Continuous Threat Modelling

Identify possible threats, attack paths, and vulnerabilities early in the design phase.

  • Teams think like attackers.
  • Problems are found early.
  • Improves security design.
  • Prevents future risks.

Threat modelling is not a one-time activity it must be continuous.

—

7. Shift-Left Security Checks

Perform security checks early at coding, planning, and building stages, not after development ends.

  • Fix issues when they are cheap to fix
  • Improves overall quality
  • Reduces last-minute delays
  • Avoids security becoming a blocker

Shift-left = security starts on Day 1.

—

8. Runtime protection

Security protections running in live production environments.

  • Detects real-time attacks.
  • Blocks suspicious activity.
  • Protects APIs, containers, and cloud workloads.

Examples: –

  • Runtime firewalls.
  • Intrusion detection.
  • Behaviour analysis.
  • Automated response.

Runtime protection shields your application from real-world threats.

Key principles include:

  • Automate security everywhere
  • Scan code, dependencies, and containers
  • Protect secrets
  • Use least privilege
  • Do continuous threat modelling
  • Shift-left security
  • Add runtime protection
  • Make security a shared responsibility
Tags:
Contents
Scroll to Top