DevSecOps and Security Automation

1. Cloud and Security

• Cloud Innovation & Speed: The adoption of cloud technology has raised expectations for faster innovation and provisioning.

• Security & Velocity: Traditional security checks can slow down this process, so organizations need strategies to maintain both speed and security.

2. DevOps to DevSecOps Transition

• DevOps Philosophy: Originally, DevOps focused on rapid development (development teams) and system stability (operations teams).

• DevSecOps Integration: Integrates security into DevOps, focusing on creating secure, vulnerability-free releases without compromising speed.

3. IBM DevSecOps Reference Architecture

• Holistic Framework: Encompasses technical framework, mindset, culture, strategy, governance, risk, and compliance.

• Secure Development: Guides secure development and operations, embedding security and continuous learning.

4. Strategy, Governance, & Risk Management

• Central Role: Aligns with strategy and governance, incorporating continuous assurance and risk management into operational processes.

• Cultural Alignment: Success requires aligning people and culture with desired ways of working.

5. Security Training & Awareness

• Training & Awareness: Teams need to understand the role of security and how to integrate it seamlessly.

• Autonomy & Knowledge: Teams should have the autonomy to own solutions and be equipped with the necessary knowledge.

6. Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Learning from Mistakes: Continuous improvement and learning are vital.

• Collaboration: Collaboration between team members with different skill sets is crucial for secure deployments.

7. Security Requirements & Architecture

• Security Epics: Security should be integrated into project backlogs and aligned with threat identification and risk assessment.

• Regulatory Compliance: Systems must be architected with threats and risks in mind, considering regulations like GDPR.

8. Code & Build Phase

• Shift Left Strategy: Security checks (e.g., vulnerability scanning) should be integrated early in the development lifecycle to catch issues before code is committed.

• Real-time Feedback: Developers should receive real-time feedback on vulnerabilities and code weaknesses.

9. Automated Security Testing

• Automated Tests: Automated security checks should be a part of testing and compliance to ensure continuous security assurance.

• Shift Left & Automation: The shift left approach empowers developers to fix issues early, reducing the need for extensive manual penetration testing.

10. Importance of Comprehensive Testing

• Integrated Tests: Comprehensive, integrated tests ensure system changes don’t affect security and compliance.

• Real-Time Assurance: Continuous testing and automated security checks provide real-time assurance and reduce risks.