Introduction
Organizations and individuals are increasingly being encouraged to embed security into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) as early as possible to better anticipate and manage security threats. To meet this goal, the concept of DevSecOps is being adopted by organizations in order to secure their applications and devices. The DevSecOps approach is an evolution of the DevOps methodology, combining practices and tools related to security and operations to speed development cycles while delivering secure applications and services.
It is now expected that developers are involved with, and responsible for, the security of applications and devices. In order to successfully execute security within DevSecOps, organizations must enable, equip and empower developers to become security professionals. DevSecOps includes a wide range of processes, technologies, and tools that can be used to ensure the security of applications and devices produced. Each of these can be implemented in varying degrees depending on an organization’s security requirements.
This whitepaper covers the key concepts underpinning DevSecOps, including best practices for embedding security as early as possible. It also covers the key technologies and tools that should be used to help increase the security of systems. Leveraging AWS Cloud Security services and integrating AWS Security Solutions can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your DevSecOps initiatives.
Security and DevOps
DevOps is an ideology that emphasizes collaboration and communication between software developers and operations teams in order to speed up the software delivery process and reduce time-to-market. It also emphasizes the use of automation and continuous integration tools and techniques. By streamlining the software delivery process, the DevOps methodology enables organizations and individuals to bring solutions to market faster and more frequently.
The addition of a security component to this process is now viewed as essential, as the integration of security into the SDLC can help to improve quality while helping to protect applications and services from attack. The traditional approach to application security focused on siloed testing practices, conducted as a separate phase at or near the end of the SDLC. This approach frequently leads to competition between members of separate departments, often resulting in pushback against security measures.
However, with DevSecOps, security is now considered a collective responsibility of the entire development team, rather than the sole responsibility of a security team. Security is no longer seen as a separate phase, but rather is embedded throughout the SDLC. This drastically reduces the cost of security testing and helps ensure that security is managed from the beginning of the software development process.
Best Practices for Embedding Security Early
In order to reap the benefits of DevSecOps, organizations must ensure that security is embedded as early as possible in the software development process. This requires a shift in mindset and a focus on collaboration, with security considered part and parcel of the development process.
The following are some of the best practices that organizations should adhere to when embedding security into the SDLC:
Develop a Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC): Organizations should develop an SSDLC that includes security controls and requirements before any software coding begins. This is essential for creating a secure environment from the outset.
Automate Security Testing: Leverage AWS services such as AWS CodeBuild and Amazon Inspector to continuously automate and integrate security checks throughout the development lifecycle.
Use Automation Tools: Automation tools are useful in reducing manual efforts and resources spent on security.
Adopt DevSecOps Best Practices: DevSecOps best practices offer guidance on how to securely develop, deploy, and manage applications. Organizations should look to fully implement DevSecOps best practices to ensure they are meeting their security goals.
CI/CD Pipeline: A continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline is essential in developing a secure application quickly and efficiently. AWS provides tools like AWS CodePipeline and AWS CodeDeploy, ensuring secure and efficient continuous integration and continuous deployment practices.
Conclusion
Embedding security as early as possible into the software development lifecycle is essential for infusing security into processes and enabling teams to build secure applications and services. Implementing these DevSecOps best practices using AWS Cloud Engineering and AWS Security Solutions ensures robust security, reduces vulnerabilities, and accelerates development cycles. To explore how these practices can be tailored specifically for your organization, feel free to contact me via LinkedIn.