What is DevSecOps?
What is DevSecOps?
DevSecOps is the philosophy of integrating security practices within the DevOps lifecycle. It means “Security as Code”—making security an integral, automated, and continuous part of software development rather than an afterthought. By embedding security into every phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), teams can identify vulnerabilities early, improve overall security posture, and accelerate delivery times.
Why DevSecOps Matters:
- Early Vulnerability Detection: Integrating security early (“shift left”) helps catch issues before they reach production.
- Enhanced Collaboration: DevSecOps breaks down silos between development, operations, and security teams, fostering shared responsibility.
- Faster, Safer Releases: Automated security checks in the CI/CD pipeline reduce delays and lower remediation costs.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Embedding compliance as code ensures that regulatory requirements are continuously met.
Core Principles of DevSecOps
The core principles of DevSecOps are as follows:
Shift Left
In traditional processes, security reviews often come at the end. “Shift left” means you start security checks from the very beginning of the development process—during design, coding, and testing. This early integration reduces the risk of major vulnerabilities later on.
Continuous Improvement
Security is not a one-time check. Continuous monitoring, regular feedback, and iterative updates are essential to adapt to evolving threats and improve practices over time.
Culture of Accountability
DevSecOps isn’t just about tools and automation; it’s also about people. Everyone—from developers to operations and security professionals—shares responsibility for security. A culture of accountability means that security isn’t “someone else’s problem” but a collective goal.