The concept of DevSecOps is on the rise lately and for all the good reasons! The framework has been a boon for software development partners around the world. With its increased productivity and rate of software deployments, the DevSecOps methodology is the turning point for the success of organizations, allowing them to become vested in code development during the initial stages of the production cycle.
With AI/ML taking over the lead with greater adoption and security integrated operations, stats by the Analytical Research Cognizance highlight that the global DevSecOps market will highlight a growth rate of CAGR of 33.7% during 2017-2023.
But the question is, what’s the future of Devsec AI?
To know better, let’s first understand what Devsec is…
Introduction to Devsec
DevSecOps (a collective term used for development, security, and operations), is the integration of security that goes on through the multiple phases of the lifecycle of software development. Operations on DevSecOps begin from initial design through deployment, testing, integration, and software delivery.
If we look at it, DevSecOps represents an essential evolution in the security approach for development organizations. We term ‘DevSecOps’ as an evolution because it revolutionizes the way operations have changed. Previously, ‘security’ was ‘tacked on’ to the final product, tested by separate quality assurance (QA) and security team at the end of the development cycle.
Now that we know what DevSecOps is let’s look at the different pillars of the process!
Pillars of DevSecOps
The people or resources of any given organization catalyze the growth of DevSecOps. People help in breaking the traditional barriers of operations. Initiating operations with small teams helps boost confidence that can be taken forward to other teams. Further, collaboration with a like-minded team allows you to share common goals provides accountability, transparency, and ownership.
Along with quality and speed, consistency is one of the significant elements that organizations should include in the processes. Adopting different practices like implementing threat modelling storyboards, developing a design for customers, and different static code scanning that is packed to eliminate security rework and breaches.
Another major pillar of DevSecOps is technology. Cybersecurity software allows keeping pace with different pipeline tools such as testing-as-code, security-as-code, and infrastructure-as-code. This way, DevSecOps allows to boost security and eradicate manual security activities.
Organizations structure a designed and scalable framework (at macro and micro level), simplifying collaborations and development. On the micro-level, the governance of tools and processes allows the users to boost efficiency. On the contrary, the macro-level showcases hierarchical structures.
How is DevSecOps Essential?
When integrated with security, the DevOps approach saves security-related concerns, which may arrive later in the process. In essence, DevSecOps allows the security team to perform security testing and identify the different bugs, besides other vulnerabilities in the process.
Cons of using DevSecOps
Similar to all the other frameworks and methodologies, DevSecOps also has its limitations, especially when dealing with the whole team or individual members. Let’s check them out:
Limited to closed communication
For DevSecOps to work properly, collaboration and communication are the keys to software development and security. The methodology will fail to work as intended.
Should be Accepted by Everyone
Not all employees are keen on accepting non-traditional working arrangements. Some live by the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It can be difficult to ditch the old ways of doing things and choose new working methods. Employees with this mindset may be hard to convince about the importance of DevSecOps. Additionally, they need time and few success stories to accept the new workflow.
May Not be The Management’s Main Priority
Not all executives in a software development company consider security as their priority. The reason being that company executives may not consider accepting the changes proposed by a DevSecOps manager or consultant.
The Bottomline: Will AI take over completely?
If we look at it briefly, DevSecOps is a methodology that integrates security in the preliminary stages of software development, supported by different elements of AI and ML. However, when compared to the manual process of development, DevSecOps is still a distant dream.
Lastly, considering that it cannot highlight the exact error in a source code, working with such a methodology can lead to crippling setbacks. Which, in contrast, is not a hurdle with the manual approach.
