Software development is a complex and dynamic process that requires collaboration, automation, and quality. To meet the increasing demands of customers and businesses, software teams need to deliver software faster and more efficiently. But they also need to ensure that the software is secure and reliable.
DevOps vs DevSecOps are two practices that aim to improve software development and delivery by integrating development, operations, and security. But what are the differences between them? And how can you choose the best approach for your software project?
What is DevOps?
DevOps is a collaborative organizational model that brings together software development and IT operations teams. DevOps aims to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks by breaking down the silos between developers and IT operators.
DevOps relies on five core components:
· An agile framework: DevOps adopts an agile methodology that focuses on shorter cycles and smaller changes, enabling software teams to react quickly to customer feedback and market changes.
· Build-once, run-anywhere development: DevOps uses container technologies that enable developers to code, build, run, and test software independently from operational resources. Containers also ensure consistency and portability across different environments.
· Everything-as-code: DevOps uses code to define, automate, and document every aspect of the software development and delivery process, such as configuration, testing, deployment, and monitoring.
· Automation: DevOps automates the process of software delivery by using tools such as continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery/deployment (CD) tools. CI/CD tools automate the process of building, testing, and deploying software to reduce errors and speed up delivery.
· Communication and collaboration: DevOps fosters a culture of communication and collaboration between developers and IT operators by using tools such as issue tracking, chat, or dashboards. These tools enable software teams to share knowledge, best practices, and feedback.
The benefits of DevOps include:
· Faster software delivery: DevOps enables software teams to deliver software faster by reducing manual tasks, eliminating dependencies, and accelerating feedback loops.
· Higher quality: DevOps improves the quality of software by applying quality assurance principles throughout the development process. DevOps also leverages tools and processes that enable continuous testing, monitoring, and improvement.
· Better customer satisfaction: DevOps enhances customer satisfaction by delivering software that meets customer needs and expectations. DevOps also enables software teams to respond quickly to customer feedback and market changes.
What is DevSecOps?
DevSecOps is the practice of integrating security into every stage of the software development lifecycle. DevSecOps builds upon the DevOps framework by making security a shared responsibility for developers, security specialists, and IT operators.
DevSecOps integrates security into each phase of the typical DevOps pipeline: plan, build, test, deploy, operate, and observe. To implement DevSecOps, software teams should:
· Introduce security throughout the software development lifecycle: Software teams should embed security requirements, standards, and controls into the design phase. They should also perform security testing at every stage of the development process.
· Ensure the entire DevOps team shares responsibility for security: Software teams should foster a culture of security awareness and accountability among developers, security specialists, and IT operators. They should also align their goals and incentives around delivering secure software.
· Enable automated security checks at each stage of software delivery: Software teams should integrate security tools and processes into the DevOps workflow. They should also use automation to perform security testing, verification, monitoring, and feedback.
The benefits of DevSecOps include:
· Improved security: DevSecOps enables software teams to catch and fix security vulnerabilities early, when they are easier, faster, and less expensive to fix. They also ensure that the software meets the required standards and regulations.
· Reduced risk: DevSecOps reduces the risk of releasing software that is insecure or non-compliant. It also reduces the risk of security breaches or incidents that could damage reputation or revenue.
· Enhanced collaboration: DevSecOps enhances collaboration between developers, security specialists, and IT operators by sharing security knowledge, best practices, and feedback. It also creates a common language and vision for security.
How to choose between DevOps and DevSecOps?
DevOps vs DevSecOps are not mutually exclusive but complementary practices. They both aim to deliver software faster and more efficiently but they take different approaches to security.
DevOps focuses on automating the process of software delivery while DevSecOps puts security at the forefront of the process. DevSecOps builds upon DevOps to address vulnerability in the cloud, which requires following specific security guidelines and practices.
Choosing between DevOps and DevSecOps depends on several factors, such as:
· Your goals: You should align your software development and delivery goals with your business objectives and customer expectations. You should also define your desired outcomes, metrics, and success criteria for software delivery and security.
· Your current state: You should assess your current software development and delivery challenges, gaps, risks, and opportunities. You should also evaluate your existing tools, processes, skills, and culture.
· Your team: You should involve all stakeholders who are responsible for developing, securing, and operating the software. You should also foster a culture of collaboration, communication, learning, and accountability.
· Your budget: You should consider the cost of acquiring, implementing, maintaining, and updating the software development and delivery tools. You should also compare the benefits of using different types of tools.
Some general tips for choosing between DevOps and DevSecOps are:
· Start with DevOps: If you are new to software development and delivery or if you have a simple or small-scale project, you may want to start with DevOps. DevOps can help you to establish a baseline for efficiency and quality. You can then gradually introduce security into your DevOps workflow as you scale up or face more complex challenges.
· Transition to DevSecOps: If you have an established DevOps practice or if you have a complex or large-scale project, you may want to transition to DevSecOps. DevSecOps can help you to address the security challenges and requirements that come with cloud-based software development and delivery. You can then leverage the security benefits of DevSecOps to deliver software faster and safer.
· Adapt to your needs: Whether you choose DevOps or DevSecOps, you should always adapt to your specific needs and context. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for software development and delivery. You should always monitor your performance, feedback, and results and adjust your tools and processes accordingly.
Conclusion
DevOps vs DevSecOps are two practices that aim to improve software development and delivery by integrating development, operations, and security. They both rely on five core components: an agile framework, build-once run-anywhere development, everything-as-code, automation, and communication and collaboration.
The difference between DevOps vs DevSecOps lies in their approaches to security. DevOps focuses on automating the process of software delivery while DevSecOps puts security at the forefront of the process. DevSecOps builds upon DevOps to address vulnerability in the cloud.
Choosing between DevOps vs DevSecOps depends on several factors, such as your goals, your current state, your team, and your budget. You may want to start with DevOps if you are new to software development and delivery or if you have a simple or small-scale project.
Gone are the days of tossing over a “full fat” release with a belief that it will work well in production.
DevOps – is an extended agile approach to stimulate intense collaboration between the development and operations teams.DevOps is a perfect fit for the organizations looking to reduce day-to-day vulnerabilities, bring speed and agility, and practice advanced software development lifecycle with utmost efficiency.Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery – the key practice of DevOps has successfully changed the span of release cycle from years to weeks.
This is where the DevSecOps approach was introduced.DevSecOps is an integrated shared responsibility of every team to plugin security into each phase of the DevOps pipeline by automating codes and emphasizing on creating a robust and security governed software.DevOps with the added dimension of ‘Security’ that came in practice to overcome the bottlenecks of conventional security methods decelerating the software delivery process.
DevSecOps aims to embed security at every phase of the SDLC.With DevOps, you have to move super-fast.
If you don't have automation, you'll never be successful.— Chris Romeo - CEO, Principal Consultant, and Co-founder of Security Journey.Integrating security controls and automating core security tasks is crucial to accelerate the overall DevOps workflow.Understand how DevSecOps empowers businesses to be agile and achieve faster time to market.According to Gartner, 40% more companies will start adopting DevSecOps and by 2022, 90% of software development projects will claim to be following its practices.Key components of DevSecOpsDevelopment operations and security are fundamentally entwined with DevSecOps.
Combining a well- developed application with a secured system can help businesses achieve the rapid-time-to market, security, and agility.
