DevSecOps: what it is and how it can help your company

DevSecOps is an approach that aims to integrate security into the software development and continuous delivery process. This methodology has been increasingly adopted by companies seeking to guarantee the security of their systems and data, while at the same time speeding up the development cycle and reducing the risks of failures and vulnerabilities.

The idea behind DevSecOps is that security should not be seen as an obstacle or a separate process, but rather as an integral part of the software lifecycle.

This means that security must be incorporated right from the start of the development process, with automated and continuous testing, code reviews, vulnerability monitoring and other practices that guarantee data integrity and confidentiality.

By adopting DevSecOps, companies can ensure that their systems are always compliant with security standards and regulations, as well as reducing the risks of cyber attacks and data leaks.

In addition, this approach allows development and security teams to work together, sharing knowledge and experience, and improving the quality and efficiency of the software development process.

What is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps is an agile methodology that aims to integrate information security into all stages of the software development lifecycle.

This approach is based on the idea that security should not be treated as an isolated aspect of the development process, but rather as a responsibility shared by the entire team involved.

Although it seems obvious, this practice was not so common a few years ago: security began to be implemented in the software at the end of its development cycle, separately from the other stages, and was carried out by a team that was separate from the rest.

The acronym DevSecOps stands for "development, security and operations" and is an extension of the DevOps practice, which aims to integrate IT development and operations. The main difference between the two approaches is that DevSecOps places more emphasis on information security.

The term "development" refers to the software development team, which includes programmers, engineers and other professionals involved in creating applications and systems.

"Security", on the other hand, indicates the emphasis on incorporating security practices and considerations throughout the software development lifecycle.

And "operations" refers to the operations team, which manages the infrastructure, implements and maintains the applications after development.

By implementing the DevSecOps methodology, companies can improve the security of their applications and systems, reduce development time and increase software quality. In addition, this methodology helps companies to become more agile and competitive in the market.

How does the DevSecOps application work?

The DevSecOps approach allows development teams to create, test and deploy software more quickly and securely.

Some of the main components of its application are:

• Continuous Integration (CI): A practice that involves automating the process of compiling, testing and deploying code. This allows development teams to detect and correct problems more quickly, reducing the time needed to release new features;

• Continuous Delivery (CD): This is an extension of continuous integration, which involves automating the process of deploying code into production environments. This allows development teams to implement changes more quickly and safely, reducing downtime and increasing system stability;

• Automated Testing: These are a practice that involves automating the software testing process. This allows development teams to test their code more efficiently and effectively, reducing the risk of errors and vulnerabilities;

• Continuous Monitoring: This is a practice that involves automating the process of monitoring systems in real time. This allows development teams to detect and correct problems more quickly, reducing downtime and increasing system availability.

In short, DevSecOps is a methodology that allows development teams to create, test and deploy software faster and more securely.

By automating processes and integrating security practices throughout the software lifecycle, teams can reduce the time needed to launch new features and increase the stability and security of the system.

What are the benefits of DevSecOps?

The main advantage of the DevSecOps system is that it addresses security problems as they arise, when they are easier, quicker and cheaper to solve.

Integrating information security into each phase of the software development lifecycle brings several benefits to companies, such as:

Improved data security

By incorporating security practices from the start of development, DevSecOps allows early identification of vulnerabilities in the code and architecture before they become more complex and costly problems to fix.

By promoting the automation of security tests, such as Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), this practice guarantees a consistent and comprehensive verification of applications, which reduces the risk of cyber attacks and data leaks.

In addition, DevSecOps enables the continuous adaptation of security practices to meet new cyber threat challenges, which includes the incorporation of emerging technologies such as automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Simplified process integration

Streamlined process integration in DevSecOps not only improves operational efficiency, but also facilitates a holistic approach to software security. This streamlined continuous integration creates a more agile, collaborative and secure environment, contributing to the reliable and efficient delivery of software.

By integrating processes, DevSecOps eliminates operational silos, promoting a unified approach to the development lifecycle. This results in greater efficiency and reduced bottlenecks, from idea conception to implementation and ongoing operations.

In addition, simplified integration helps in the efficient management of resources, avoiding redundancies and optimizing the use of tools and technologies. This contributes to saving financial and human resources.

Early Identification of Vulnerabilities

By integrating security into each phase of the development lifecycle, DevSecOps teams are able to identify vulnerabilities earlier in the process.

This allows teams to correct these problems before they become something bigger, which can save time and money in the long run.

In short, DevSecOps is a methodology that brings several benefits to companies that adopt it, including greater data security, simplified process integration and early identification of vulnerabilities.

By integrating security into every phase of the development lifecycle, DevSecOps teams can help companies to be more agile, efficient and secure.

Why is DevSecOps necessary?

A security strategy from the initial stage of software development maintains competitiveness and agility in companies, as well as preserving regulatory compliance and constant adaptation to necessary changes.

By integrating security into development and operations, DevSecOps guarantees faster processes. It speeds up data security checks, which have now become an important organizational asset.

And it's not just the protection of users' information that matters: in addition to cybersecurity, there are also legal issues that must be complied with by the companies themselves, such as adapting to the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) in Brazil.

In addition, the integration of the development, security and operations stages also allows for the development of better projects, which are not restricted to cybersecurity issues.

Why does your company need a DevSecOps application?

Increasingly, the IT infrastructure landscape is undergoing significant and exponential changes, which are often difficult to keep up with. The emergence of the cloud, shared data storage and dynamic applications are just a few examples of technologies that have brought endless business possibilities.

In this evolving scenario, cyber threats are also on the rise. Hackers are constantly improving their practices, always looking for the best ways to deploy malware and other applications - and this can happen at any stage of the software or program development process.

However, security and understanding of how to deal with so many changes and advances is not growing at the same rate. That's why bringing product security to an equal level and making it a priority is practically a must for any company involved in the development and distribution of applications and software.

In general, DevSecOps aims to help technology development teams deal with security problems more effectively. It helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they become targets for attacks.

Many industries are also subject to strict regulations relating to data security. Implementing this practice helps organizations ensure regulatory compliance by incorporating security practices into every stage of development.

Conclusion

In the digital age, where information security is a constant concern, the implementation of DevSecOps is emerging as a fundamental pillar to strengthen companies. It is not only a response to growing cyber threats, but also a catalyst for faster, more reliable and more secure development.

By adopting DevSecOps, companies not only mitigate security risks, but also promote a culture of collaboration between teams, shared responsibility and awareness of the importance of security at every stage of the software lifecycle.

Early identification of vulnerabilities, agile incident response and ensuring regulatory compliance become essential elements of a successful DevSecOps strategy.

With the growing complexities of the cyber landscape, it is clear that DevSecOps is not just a passing trend, but a strategic approach to ensuring the resilience of business operations. Customer trust, regulatory compliance and software quality are intrinsically linked to the effectiveness of security practices.

By making DevSecOps a priority, organizations not only strengthen their defenses against emerging threats, but also lay the foundations for a more secure, resilient and sustainable future in the constantly evolving technological landscape.