From Ops to DevOps to DevSecOps

The environment of software development has changed significantly in recent years as businesses adopt agile approaches and DevOps practises to speed up application delivery and boost productivity. Strong security is now more important than ever because of the rising demand for quick software delivery. DevSecOps, which incorporates security into each phase of the software development lifecycle, is the evolution of DevOps as a result of this. In this essay, I'll give a brief overview of DevOps' history, the circumstances that contributed to the development of DevSecOps, and the main distinctions between the two methodologies.

The Development of Ops

DevOps was created as a solution to the problems that siloed IT operations and software development teams faced. Developers used to concentrate on building code and adding new features, while IT operations teams were in charge of upkeep, software deployment, and uptime. Conflicts, communication breakdowns, and delays in software delivery were frequently the results of this division.

By encouraging a culture of cooperation, communication, and shared accountability between development and operations teams, DevOps sought to eliminate this gap. By automating and streamlining their software development and deployment processes, organizations were able to shorten cycle times and increase the frequency of product releases.

The Development of DevOps

Despite all of the advantages of DevOps, the quick pace of software delivery frequently made security a secondary concern. In order to conduct audits and assessments, security teams were frequently brought in late in the development process, which frequently caused deployment delays, disagreements and confusion amongst teams.

A more proactive and integrated approach to security is required given the rise in high-profile security incidents and the complexity of software and infrastructure. DevSecOps, which blends the collaborative DevOps concepts with a security-focused attitude, was born as a result of this realisation.

Security is incorporated into the software development lifecycle at every level of DevSecOps, from design and coding to testing, deployment, and monitoring. This method guarantees that security flaws are found and fixed early in the development process, minimising the possibility of exploitation and any potential consequences for the organisation.

Examples of High-Profile Security Breaches

1. The 2017 Equifax data breach, which is one of the biggest and most important ever. A significant data breach at the credit reporting company Equifax resulted in the exposure of roughly 148 million people's personal information. An unpatched known vulnerability in a web application framework was the cause of the breach. Stronger security procedures, such as incorporating security into the software development process, are required in light of this incident.

2. SolarWinds Cyber Attack (2020): The Orion IT management platform of SolarWinds was penetrated by a sophisticated supply chain attack during the SolarWinds cyber attack. The attackers were successful in breaking into the networks of multiple prestigious enterprises, including Fortune 500 firms and U.S. government institutions. The significance of DevSecOps practises as well as the necessity for improved security measures during software development and deployment were highlighted by this breach.

3. Capital One Data Breach (2019): In this incident, a hacker gained access to the personal information of over 100 million Capital One customers by taking advantage of an incorrectly configured web application firewall. The event made it clear how crucial it is to safeguard infrastructure and apply security best practises all the way through the software development lifecycle.

DevOps VS DevSecOps

Security Focus: Key distinctions between DevOps and DevSecOps While both DevOps and DevSecOps place an emphasis on automation and collaboration, DevSecOps is more concerned with security. Security is integrated throughout the entire development lifecycle and is seen as a shared responsibility in DevSecOps.

Early Security Team Involvement: In a DevSecOps setting, security teams are actively involved from the start of the project, collaborating closely with the development and operations teams to make sure that security requirements are taken into account and addressed right away.

Continuous Security: DevSecOps promotes continuous security procedures like threat modelling, automated security testing, and constant surveillance. This facilitates earlier and more effective vulnerability identification and remediation for organisations.

Security-focused Culture: DevSecOps promotes a culture where security is prioritised and team members collaborate to solve potential risks. This mentality change may result in more secure software and better teamwork.

Conclusion

With organisations realizing the value of incorporating security into every stage of the development process, the transition from DevOps to DevSecOps signifies a fundamental change in the software development environment. High-profile security disasters like those at Equifax, SolarWinds, and Capital One show the potentially disastrous effects of poor security procedures. Organisations may lower the risk of security breaches, enhance compliance, and create more secure and resilient apps by implementing DevSecOps practises. I will go deeper into the DevSecOps ideas, best practises, and tools in the upcoming articles to give you a complete grasp of how to successfully execute this strategy in your business.