DevOps is a set of methods that incorporates software development and IT operative processes all the while aiming to shorten the systems development cycle giving out continuous delivery with high software quality. It has brought a cultural change in business by transforming the way operations, developers, and testers cohesively collaborate during the development and delivery processes. Nowadays, merging security with DevOps to make processes more effective and making every team member responsible for safety is the optimal way to function. It stresses security-first, security-always approach and incorporates security into the code level. By holding the responsibility for security to all users, applications and processes are getting as close as possible to invulnerable build. DevOps is basically mitigating the challenges of data migration projects with better teamwork. It facilitates better software development and implementation all the while improving its reliability and security.
Points that make an organisation suitable for implementing DevOps
- Having a strong culture of collaboration and open communication between team members is a must for the successful implementation of DevOps.
- The organisation will need an executive leadership team that considers IT as a business enabler.
- There will be a requirement of sponsorship from a high enough level to allow challenges that can affect the status quo.
- For a successful DevOps implementation, there will be a need for revenue and brand derivations from web/mobile channels.
- The organisations should take internet start-ups as a threat as best suited for executing DevOps.
- Start-up organisations that want better established and working in competitive markets are good fits for DevOps.
- It is also suitable for applications that are self-built and developed on open technology.
These conditions are compelling business drivers to embrace change through DevOps. The adoption should be slowly and requires making it part of the IT plans through well-managed risk strategy.
Implementation of the DevSecOps Approach
A key concern of any IT infrastructure is cybersecurity. When combined with DevOps it is referred to the clipped compound term: DevSecOps. The sophistication of a modern hybrid or cloud environment needs the considerations of many factors by the host when going for the DevSecOps approach. Some ways to build DevOps solutions that will suit the unique business solutions are-
- Stressing of security at all stratum
It is also called the ‘left-shifting security’ as it is responsible for giving out accountability in a continuous delivery pipeline. This approach encourages the individual members of a team to address the potential of the code, before moving on to the next stage.
- Performing a thorough security assessment
It is required to combine the internal resources and expert partners in places to develop an accurate representation of operating conditions and vulnerabilities. When equipped with audits and reports outlining strengths and weaknesses, individuals in the board can decide on an approach which meets all the specific challenges, working together.
- Making security changes to the Code Level
Older continuous delivery pipelines have various network vulnerabilities when considering the aspects of third-party programs, protective information management policies, and other reactive criteria. Building a DevSecOps approach acts as an extra security armour to the code itself. And they need a proper reactive patchwork of measures to protect the entire suite of applications will be reduced or eliminated.
- Automating processes whenever feasible
One of the most time-consuming features of dated delivery models is testing and correcting code before shifting down the delivery pipeline. With DevSecOps leverages tools automating all of the processes and performing it instantaneously, there is no slowing down in delivery. Therefore, the need for human testing to ensure the same level of security is also eliminated.
- Using dashboards and alerts for practising continuous monitoring
There are too many interactions taking places in a DevSecOps environment to interpret out. Therefore, having a unified approach for monitoring and fine-tuning operations is a requirement for optimal usage and security. With properly developed desired baseline and alert levels, IT teams can easily interact during real-time while automating out the common responses’ conditions specific conditions or threats.
Ensuring success in business with DevOps
This can be implemented to reap out the optimal benefits when using DevOps with integrated security in the organisation-
- Maintaining the continuous delivery pipeline.
Though well-tuned existing delivery models are fast maybe not as good as DevSecOps. The outcome of new architecture must be fast as the existing model or face blowback from other stakeholders in sales, marketing, and other departments.
- Building DevSecOps from the Ground Up.
A profitable DevSecOps approach will be an important part of all strata of the environment and can be included in- Architecture, Design, Programming Testing, Deployment, Monitoring, Maintenance, Scripts, Virtual machines, Containers etc.
- Having tailored to specific applications needs.
A primary advantage with DevSecOps is its ability to have customized security around each process and applications in the organisation. With complex, scaled apps in the global cloud environment, this approach provides precise security without drawbacks in the deployment process.
Benefits of implementing DevOps with security in the organization
DevOps when successfully implemented with security in the organisation –
- reduces the time required to market for new products and features
- builds more agility so that the adaption to internal and external influences is easier
- unlocking of various cost savings offers available on the cloud platforms
- eliminating the risks that generally shadow IT services.
According to the source ZDNet (2017), a study by Puppet and DevOps Research and Assessment of 25000 tech professionals show that high-performing organizations deploy 200 times more frequently, with 2,555 times faster lead times. These high-performers are more likely to succeed with product deployments. They will not even have to face service impairments or security breaches and in cases something goes wrong, fixing it is 24 times faster.
Conclusion-
Enterprises are increasingly opting out DevOps as a way to deliver software and security updates more rapidly internally as well as to customers. But actually, implementing the new workflow is pretty challenging. A lot of organizations have bought into the philosophy of DevOps which makes processes faster with more frequent releases and allows a collaborative culture with the cloud toolset and idea of automation. Therefore, its implementation can be a boon to any software group when done perfectly.
Download our CISO as a Service white Paper Download
