More and more businesses are realising that DevOps, as a software development methodology, can transform the way they innovate and deliver high-quality products. Shorter delivery cycles and speedier time-to-market are further advantages of teams working together and bridging the gap between development and operations.
However, with the growing data and cybersecurity concerns of the day, industry experts have recognized the need to embed security into the very fabric of DevOps. Traditional security techniques are becoming obsolete and, sometimes, even seen as hurdles to the speed and effectiveness expected from DevOps.
18 Top Practices which are recommended to Embed Security into your DevOps:
Here are a few best practises that will assist you with this:
- Establish governance structures -
The first step in implementing security into DevOps is to prepare your team. Begin by establishing simple cybersecurity regulations and clear governance procedures aimed at increasing the DevOps environment's overall security. Then, properly express them to your staff and gain their approval. As a result, developing high-quality codes that fulfil your standards becomes much easier for them.
- Make security procedures more automated -
Automate procedures like patching and vulnerability management, code analysis, configuration management, privileged identity management, and so on with automated security technologies. This will assist you in keeping security on pace with the DevOps process's speed. Because DevOps is a highly automated process in and of itself, failing to embrace automation in security might cause the entire process to slow down.
- Make a list of everything -
Because cloud subscriptions are so easy to set up, it might be difficult to apply security standards to all of them if there isn't a proper inventory of what resources are available and to which teams. It's also crucial to keep track of all your devices, tools, and accounts so that you can verify compliance with your cybersecurity policy and scan for threats and vulnerabilities on a regular basis.
- Segment your DevOps Network -
Hackers' line-of-sight is mitigated by network segmentation, which stops them from getting access to the full programme. Even if a single segment is compromised, the hacker will be unable to access the rest of the application due to the protection measures in place. By default, application servers, resource servers, and other assets must be grouped into logical units that are not trusted by one another. Multi-factor authentication, adaptive access authorisation, and session monitoring should all be implemented to allow authorised users to acquire access.
- Continuous vulnerability management should be implemented -
Vulnerabilities must be identified and corrected on a regular basis. Preemptively scanning and assessing codes in development and integration environments so that they can be fixed before being deployed to production is part of the process. This procedure should be used in conjunction with the continuous testing procedure, in which codes are examined for flaws and patches are applied.
- Using specialist tools, you can manage your credentials -
Because access credentials can be readily fished out and misused by hackers, never incorporate them in code or keep them in files or devices. Instead, use a password management application or a password safe to keep them distinct. Developers and anyone who utilises such a tool will be able to request credential use from the tool whenever they need it, without having to know the credentials themselves.
- Control how privileged accounts are used -
Review the permissions and access granted to "privileged" users and grant the fewest privileges possible based on the needs of each user. Internal and external attackers will be less likely to abuse privileged access as a result of this. Keep an eye on what's going on with those privileged accounts to make sure the sessions are legal and compliance with regulations. To assist you with all of the aforementioned tasks, consider using a privileged access management (PAM) solution.
- Standards for Secure Coding -
Because security is not a top priority for developers, they focus solely on the application's capabilities and ignore the security parameters. However, with the rise of cyber-threats, you must ensure that your development staff is aware of the best security measures when coding for the app. They should be aware of security technologies that can assist them in identifying vulnerabilities in their code as it is being developed, allowing developers to quickly adjust the code and correct the flaws.
- Security training for the development team -
You should also train the development team on security best practises as part of the security requirements. So, if a new developer joins the team and is unfamiliar with SQL injection, you must ensure that the developer understands what SQL injection is, what it accomplishes, and the potential damage it can cause to the programme. You might not want to get into the nitty-gritty of it. Nonetheless, you must guarantee that the development team is up to date on the latest security regulations, guidelines, and best practises.
- Process of Change Management Implementation -
A change management strategy should be implemented. You don't want developers to keep updating code or adding or removing functionality to the programme that is currently in the deployment stage as changes occur. As a result, at this point, the only thing that can help you is to apply the change management approach. As a result, every modification to the application that needs to be made should go through the change management procedure. After it has been accepted, the developer should be able to make changes.
- Configuration Management should be implemented -
Configuration management should also be implemented. Configuration management includes the change management process, which I discussed earlier. As a result, you must ensure that you know what configuration you're working with, what modifications are being made to the application, and who is allowing and approving them. All of this will be managed through configuration management.
- Develop and Implement Security Procedures -
Security cannot function without processes; you must first develop and implement certain security processes in your firm. After the implementation, there's a chance you'll need to alter the processes since certain things didn't work out as planned or the process was too cumbersome. There could be any number of reasons for this, so you'll need to change your security procedures. Whatever you do, be sure that security processes are monitored and audited after they've been implemented.
- The Least Privilege Model should be implemented -
One of the most important thumb rules in DevOps security is to use the least privilege paradigm. Never give somebody more power than they need. If a developer doesn't need ROOT or Admin access, for example, you can give them standard user access so they can work on the application modules they need.
- Audit and review should be implemented -
Continuous auditing and review should also be implemented. Regular audits of the application's code, the environment of the security procedures, and the data it collects should be performed.
- Use the DevSecOps model -
Another popular word in the DevOps world is DevSecOps. It is a basic security procedure in divorce that every IT business has begun to implement. It is a combination of development, security, and operations, as the name implies. DevSecOps is a DevOps paradigm for incorporating security tools into the development process. As a result, security must be a part of the application development process from the start. Integrating the DevOps approach with security allows businesses to create secure applications that are free of risks. This methodology also aids in the dismantling of organisational silos between development operations and security teams. In the DevSecOps model, there are a few key practises that must be implemented:
- In the development integration process, use security tools like Snyk and Checkmarx.
- All automated testing must be reviewed by security professionals.
- To establish threat models, development and security teams must work together.
- In the product backlog, security concerns must be given top priority.
- Before deployment, all infrastructure security policies must be examined.
- Make use of a password manager -
Excel should not be used to store credentials. Use a centralised password manager instead. Individual passwords should not be shared among users under any circumstances. It's recommended to keep the credentials in a secure, centralised area where only the appropriate team has access to perform API requests and use the credentials.
- Examine the Code in a Smaller Font Size -
You should look over the code in a smaller font. It is never a good idea to evaluate large amounts of code, and it is also not a good idea to review the entire application at once. Review the programmes in small chunks so that you can go over them thoroughly.
- Continue to evaluate applications in the field -
When an application is live in production, many firms overlook security. You should keep an eye on the application at all times. To verify that no new security flaws have been introduced, you should keep analysing its code and performing frequent security tests.
Conclusion
These are some of the most important DevOps security best practises that a company should follow when developing secure applications and software. Implementing security standards as part of the DevOps process can save a company millions of dollars. So, for a secure and speedier release of the application, start adopting the security measures outlined in this article.
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