DevOps vs DevSecOps: What Is the Difference?

DevOps vs DevSecOps: What Is the Difference?

Author : Cornell University

The software development landscape is always at the brink of change, as the demand for innovation prompts the continuous deployment of disruptive technologies. At each turn of the tide stands a new development methodology. 

There used to be a time in which a battle raged between the practitioners of the waterfall framework, which confined each computer science role to its department, and adopters of the agile framework, which proclaimed the end of bottlenecks and the beginning of a collaborative and cyclical development process.

Today, many—if not most—software development professionals have adopted the agile methodology. The tide has turned from changing the process to prioritizing responsibilities. Development methodologies like DevOps, SecOps and DevSecOps make use of the agile framework for different purposes. 

DevOps prioritizes delivery time, SecOps prioritizes security and DevSecOps tries to balance the two objectives. Read on to learn more about these methods, and how to distinguish between DevOps and DevSecOps.

What Is DevOps?

The DevOps methodology merges two elements of computer science. The abbreviation ‘Dev’ represents software development, while ‘Ops’ represents information technology operations. 

The goal of DevOps is to increase the speed of software delivery by enabling continuous collaboration, communication, automation and integration. Through the applications of DevOps throughout the development pipeline, developers gain control over the production infrastructure, which enables the prioritization of software delivery over any other objective.

What Is SecOps?

The SecOps methodology merges two elements of computer science. The abbreviation ‘Sec’ represents cyber security, while ‘Ops’ represents information technology operations. 

The goal of SecOps is to increase the level of security by prioritizing security at any stage or cycle of the pipeline. SecOps turns security into a dynamic process, in which all parties involved share the responsibility for securing the application. When developers and security professionals join forces, security becomes a cultural effort rather than an afterthought.

What Is DevSecOps?

The DevSecOps methodology merges DevOps with SecOps, creating a cyclical practice for software development, technology operations and cyber security. 

The goal of DevSecOps is to promote the fast development of a secure codebase. Instead of prioritizing development speed or security, the DevSecOps methodology helps developers and security professionals find a healthy balance. Through the application of an agile framework, development and security teams can collaborate on a continuous basis.

Key Similarities of DevOps, SecOps and DevSecOps

1. Communication and Collaboration

The three methodologies recognize that continual teamwork is essential for increasing production speed. All three make use of the agile framework to enable a dynamic and continuous work process that opens all channels of communication and promotes collaboration at all stages of the development cycle.

2. Automation

While DevOps prioritizes software delivery speed above all, efficiency remains an important priority for SecOps and DevSecOps. Automation is the practice of delegating tasks to technologies that require varying degrees of assistance, if any. The automation of development, operations and security tasks helps teams achieve more objectives in less time.

3. Continuous Processes

The application of a continuous process ensures that the main objectives of each methodology are met at every stage of the development cycle. There are no more siloed departments that create bottlenecks. Instead, teams and technologies work together to continuously: 

• Deliver new applications and software updates
• Monitor, log and analyze the codebase and security perimeter
• Integrate updated and tested codebase with a central repository

Key Elements of DevOps

1. Microservices

Developers use microservice architectures, which build the software from a string of dedicated services, to increase the production speed. A microservice is an application with one distinct function. It has one responsibility, such as processing an online payment or routing network traffic. Each microservice can run autonomously in a container or virtual machine (VM).

2. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of using code to manage and automate computing resources such as physical equipment and virtual machines. Developers use IaC to automate the maintenance of the IT operations, foregoing manual procedures for the purpose of cutting back on reducing time spent on overseeing IT operations.

3. Policy as Code (PaC)

Policy as Code (PaC) is the practice of using code to manage and automate policies. Policies may include the organization’s definition of proper use of technology, and the standard security and IT practices. Developers make the policy available in a code format, which enables the automated application the policy in version control, and automated testing and deployment.

Key Elements of DevSecOps

1. Shifting Security to the Left

Shifting left is the practice of moving a task to an earlier stage in the development cycle. Shifting security to the left ensures that security standards are met from the beginning, when the codebase is first developed. The development cycle can proceed not only when the application specs are met, but when the codebase is properly secure.

2. Continuous Feedback Loop

A continuous feedback loop ensures that all team members are regularly prompted to improve the development and maintenance of the software. Continuous feedback ensures that automated processes continually monitor the software for threats, then provide developers and security professionals with real-time alerts. All teams can then collaboratively apply fixes.

3. Automated Security

Automation is a key element in ensuring that DevSecOps standards and practices are met at every stage of the development lifecycle. Automation helps DevSecOps teams handle cover more security responsibilities, in less time, including automated code analysis, compliance monitoring, threat investigation and security training.

Conclusion—The Difference Between DevOps and DevSecOps

DevOps and DevSecOps methodologies share similar aspects, including the use of automation and continuous processes for establishing collaborative cycles of development. However, while DevOps prioritizes delivery speed, DevSecOps shifts security to the left. 

Initially, DevSecOps practices may increase the development time but will ensure that the codebase is secure from its inception. After some practice, and once security is fully adopted into the development process, teams will gain the advantage of increasing their writing and delivery speed for secure codebases.