Main takeaways from this article:
DevOps security unites dev, ops, and security teams to embed security practices into the SDLC from start to finish.
DevSecOps enhances DevOps by integrating automated scans and monitoring into CI/CD pipelines.
Addressing tool integration, third-party risks, and balancing speed with security requires collaboration and clarity.
Automating tests, securing access controls, and managing supply chains help catch vulnerabilities early.
Wiz combines real-time visibility, contextual insights, and automation to protect applications without slowing development.
What is DevOps security?
DevOps security integrates security practices within the DevOps process from inception through development, deployment, and operations. It breaks down traditional silos between development, operations, and security teams, promoting a culture of security across all phases of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
In its early stages, DevOps focused primarily on integrating development and operations teams to improve the software development process.
Over time, the scope of DevOps expanded to include security (especially when it comes to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud), giving rise to the term "DevSecOps."
This integration marks a significant paradigm shift, emphasizing a comprehensive approach where security measures, championed by dedicated security teams, become an integral part of the DevOps process rather than an afterthought right before deployment.
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud DevOps security best practices all emphasize the importance of proactive security measures. These practices are vital not just for the security teams but for the DevOps team as a whole, ensuring a seamless integration of security into the DevOps pipeline.
DevOps Security Best Practices [Cheat Sheet]
In this 12 page cheat sheet we'll cover best practices in the following areas of DevOps: secure coding practices, infrastructure security, monitoring and response.
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DevOps vs. DevSecOps
DevOps focuses on speed—getting software out the door quickly with tight collaboration between development and operations. When speed is the priority, security can unintentionally take a backseat as a final checklist item.
DevSecOps flips the script. It embeds security at every stage of the SDLC, turning it into a continuous process rather than a final checkpoint. This means adding tasks like automated code scanning, vulnerability testing, and compliance checks directly into your CI/CD pipeline.
What’s in it for you?
Proactive threat detection: Fix vulnerabilities early, long before they can cause trouble.
Simplified compliance: Automated security checks ensure you’re audit-ready, always.
Stronger teamwork: Security becomes everyone’s job, breaking down silos between devs, ops, and security teams.
Fast and secure releases: With built-in security, you can move quickly without sacrificing safety.
DevSecOps isn’t just a trend—it’s how you build software that’s ready for anything.
How to embed DevOps security in the software development lifecycle
Making security a natural part of DevOps strengthens your applications from day one. Here’s how to seamlessly weave security into every phase of the SDLC:
Embed security from the start: Don’t wait until the code is written. Fold security into planning and design. Use tools like threat modeling to identify vulnerabilities early and set clear security requirements. This upfront effort pays off big when it comes to building resilient software.
Adopt automation for security testing: Who has time to manually hunt down vulnerabilities? Automation tools can handle that heavy lifting. Embed automated code scans, penetration tests, and vulnerability checks into your CI/CD pipeline to catch issues before they snowball.
Implement continuous monitoring: Security doesn’t stop at deployment. Real-time monitoring helps spot anomalies and potential breaches as they happen. It’s like having a watchtower for your production environment, keeping threats at bay.
4. Standardize security policies and frameworks: Chaos kills consistency. Adopt standardized security policies and frameworks to ensure every team member is on the same page.
Secure the software supply chain: Third-party libraries and dependencies are handy but risky. Regularly scan your software supply chain for vulnerabilities to o ensure external components don’t become your Achilles’ heel.
Conduct regular security reviews and audits: Major releases or infrastructure changes? Perfect time for a security audit. Regular reviews help you stay compliant and tackle new vulnerabilities before they cause trouble.
Train development and operations teams on security: Empower your teams with security training. Workshops, practical sessions, and ongoing education can foster a security-first mindset and build confidence in secure coding practices.
DevOps security challenges
Implementing DevOps security requires overcoming specific challenges to ensure a balanced, secure, and agile development process.
Balancing security with agility: Tight deadlines can push security to the back burner. Automation is your secret weapon here, keeping workflows fast without compromising security.
Cultural shift and team alignment: Dev, Ops, and Security don’t always speak the same language. Break down silos with open collaboration and a shared goal: safer, better software.
Tool integration complexity: Integrating security tools with existing DevOps pipelines can be challenging. Choose tools that support DevOps processes and automation for seamless adoption.
Third-party and open-source security vulnerabilities: External components are a double-edged sword. Regular scans and audits help catch vulnerabilities in third-party libraries before they cause headaches.
Ensuring continuous compliance: DevOps moves fast, but compliance is a marathon. Automate those checks to ensure your software stays audit-ready at every stage.
Visibility across dynamic environments: Fast-changing environments can obscure potential threats. Centralized monitoring and detailed logging bring clarity, giving you insights across every corner of your DevOps ecosystem.
DevOps security: best practices for security teams
With the agility and speed that DevOps brings, security remains a paramount concern. The following sections delve into specific areas of DevOps security and their associated best practices.
Below we cover DevOps security best practices in areas like:
1. Cloud security and configuration management
The cloud gives you scalability and agility, but it also comes with its share of risks—misconfigurations, breaches, and inconsistent access controls to name a few. Practice the shared responsibility model: cloud providers secure the infrastructure, but protecting your workloads, configurations, and data is up to you.
Action items:
Use CSPM tools: Tools like Wiz’s CSPM or Microsoft Defender for Cloud give you real-time visibility and detect misconfigurations effortlessly.
Adopt a zero-trust security model: Ensure every access request, regardless of origin, undergoes strict identity verification and validation.
Audit cloud configurations: Regular checks help catch and fix misconfigurations before they lead to breaches.
2. Secrets management
Secrets management is crucial to securely handle things like API keys, database credentials, and other secrets. Mismanagement or exposure of these secrets can lead to serious security incidents.
Action items
Centralize secrets management: Solutions like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager securely store, manage, and rotate secrets, reducing the likelihood of exposure through ad hoc practices.
Rotate secrets frequently: Set policies to automatically update secrets at regular intervals. This limits the window of opportunity for an attacker to exploit stolen or leaked credentials.
Avoid hardcoding secrets: Hardcoding secrets in your codebase can lead to accidental exposure, especially in open-source projects. Use environment variables or integrate secrets directly through secure injection methods to keep them safe.
3. Version control security
Version control systems make collaboration easy—but careless practices, like pushing credentials to a repo, can leave you wide open.
Action items:
Audit commit history for sensitive data: Conduct periodic scans of your repositories to identify any instances where secrets, passwords, or sensitive information may have been committed by mistake. Tools like git-secrets can help automate this process.
Use .gitignore to exclude sensitive files: To specify the files and directories that should be excluded from version control, take advantage of .gitignore. By excluding particular files, you can prevent the accidental upload of sensitive information:
# .gitignore file
secret_config.yaml
.envUtilize pre-commit hooks: Set up a pre-commit hook to further ensure that secrets are not inadvertently committed to your VCS repository. Navigate to the .git/hooks directory in your repository and create or edit the pre-commit file. Here's an example that checks for the presence of the word "SECRET" in your files:
#!/bin/sh
if git diff --cached | grep 'SECRET'; then
echo "Error: Found secrets in your changes. Please remove them before committing."
exit 1
fi4. Automated security testing
Automated testing accelerates the feedback loop during development by identifying issues early in the software lifecycle. By incorporating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, security and development teams can detect vulnerabilities quickly, reduce manual effort, and ensure that only secure, high-quality code reaches production.
Action items:
Incorporate OWASP tools into CI/CD pipelines: OWASP tools like ZAP or Dependency-Check help identify vulnerabilities in web applications and their dependencies. Set up these tools to scan code automatically whenever new changes are pushed to the pipeline.
Regularly update test cases: Ensure your test parameters stay relevant as your software evolves. Stale or incomplete test cases may leave vulnerabilities undetected, so review and refine them periodically to maintain effective coverage.
5. Static application security testing (SAST)
SAST scans your source code to catch vulnerabilities before it’s even run, saving time and headaches later.
Action items:
Implement SAST tools like Wiz Code: SAST tools like Wiz scan your source code for misconfigurations, hardcoded credentials, or insecure practices, helping catch issues before deployment.
Integrate SAST into developer workflows: Adding SAST scans to CI/CD pipelines ensures that every code change is evaluated for security issues without disrupting developers’ productivity.
Prioritize findings effectively: Not all vulnerabilities carry the same risk. Use contextual information to address critical issues first and save lower-priority fixes for later sprints.
6. Dependency management
Modern apps lean heavily on third-party libraries, but outdated or vulnerable dependencies can become major risks.
Action items:
Use dependency scanners like Dependabot: These tools automatically monitor your project for outdated or vulnerable dependencies and suggest updates to keep your code secure.
Establish a regular review schedule: Make dependency updates part of your routine. Even if no vulnerabilities are flagged, staying current with the latest versions can reduce compatibility risks and improve performance.
7. Container security
Containers simplify application deployment by packaging software and its dependencies together, but they also introduce unique vulnerabilities. Focusing on container security ensures your applications remain consistent and secure across different environments.
Action items:
Scan container images: Use tools like Clair or Trivy to scan your container images for known vulnerabilities before deploying them.
# Example of Clair analysis report
$ clairctl report ubuntu:focal
ubuntu:focal found bash 5.0-6ubuntu1.1 CVE-2019-18276
ubuntu:focal found libpcre3 2:8.39-12build1 CVE-2017-11164
ubuntu:focal found libpcre3 2:8.39-12build1 CVE-2019-20838
ubuntu:focal found libpcre3 2:8.39-12build1 CVE-2020-14155
ubuntu:focal found libsystemd0 245.4-4ubuntu3.2 CVE-2018-20839
ubuntu:focal found libsystemd0 245.4-4ubuntu3.2 CVE-2020-13776
ubuntu:focal found libtasn1-6 4.16.0-2 CVE-2018-1000654
...Minimize base images: Start with lean container images and remove unnecessary components to reduce the attack surface.
8. Infrastructure-as-code (IaC) security
Infrastructure as code (IaC) allows for the automated setup, configuration, and management of servers and other infrastructure components using code templates. However, it can sometimes introduce misconfigurations, which may expose applications to threats.
Action items
Use tools to scan IaC templates: Checkov, Terrascan, and Wize Code can help identify potential security issues in your IaC templates.
Regularly review and refine IaC templates: IaC templates define the desired state of infrastructure components, making them blueprints for your environment's setup. By reviewing these templates periodically, you can catch and fix any misconfigurations or outdated practices.
9. Privileged access management (PAM) monitoring
Privileged accounts are prime targets for attackers. Tight monitoring is critical to prevent abuse.
Action items:
Implement PAM solutions: Tools like CyberArk or BeyondTrust monitor privileged accounts and enforce least privilege principles by granting temporary access as needed.
Set up monitoring and alerting: Monitor privileged account activities in real time to detect unusual behaviors, such as logins during non-business hours or unauthorized changes.
Enforce session recording: Capture actions performed during privileged sessions for auditing and incident investigations.
Regularly review privileged access: Audit privileged accounts periodically to ensure only authorized users have elevated permissions.
10. Access control
Access control defines who can access which resources in a system, ensuring that only authorized individuals have permissions for critical resources. Implement stringent access control measures to safeguard sensitive data and prevent potential data breaches:
Action items
Adopt role-based access control (RBAC): Limit permissions to the minimum necessary for each role, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious actions.
# Example Kubernetes RBAC policy to access pods read-only in database namespace
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1
kind: Role
metadata:
namespace: database
name: pod-viewer
rules:
- apiGroups: [""]
resources: ["pods"]
verbs: ["get", "watch", "list"]Regularly review permissions: As DevOps teams change and projects evolve, access requirements can shift. Periodic reviews help ensure only authorized personnel have access to sensitive systems or data.
Level up DevOps security with Wiz
Wiz integrates code, cloud, and runtime security into a unified workflow, giving DevOps teams full visibility across the development lifecycle.
Map code repositories and CI/CD pipelines to cloud environments, prioritizing critical issues and linking them to the responsible teams for faster remediation.
Get real-time feedback in IDEs and pull requests to secure code from the start, reducing security debt and speeding up fixes.
Integrate with developer tools to strengthen security without slowing down development.
Security Built for Devs and DevOps
Learn why Wiz is one of the few cloud security platforms loved by both security and DevOps teams.
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