Vulnerability Management in DevSecOps

As technology advances, the security risks organisations face become more complex. DevSecOps , a culture that integrates security into development and operations, helps manage these risks by building security into each step of the software creation process. In previous weeks, we looked in detail at how this can be done and the methods used (like OAST , SAST , DAST , IaC-Sec , and CaC-Sec ). Another key part of this approach is Vulnerability Management, which involves finding, evaluating, and fixing security weaknesses. In this week’s article, we’ll try to explain why vulnerability management is important in DevSecOps.

Why Vulnerability Management Matters in DevSecOps

By finding and fixing security issues early on, teams can build a much stronger, more reliable security setup. For example, Netflix uses a tool called Security Monkey that constantly monitors its cloud environments to catch any new vulnerabilities right when they pop up. This approach is fantastic because, by building vulnerability management right into the DevSecOps process, developers get quick feedback and can fix issues immediately. GitLab takes a similar approach, automatically running security scans every time code is pushed, so developers are alerted to any vulnerabilities right away. This proactive approach not only saves time but also reduces risks.

A steady, transparent process for managing vulnerabilities also builds trust with customers and regulators. Capital One , for instance, shows it’s handling security risks responsibly by integrating monitoring systems in its cloud environment. I think these examples help illustrate the core idea: by staying on top of vulnerabilities, teams make their security stronger and more dependable.

Approaches to Effective Vulnerability Management

To build a solid vulnerability management process, DevSecOps teams should start gradually, without waiting until the last minute to address everything. When kicking off a new vulnerability management program, it’s best to focus on the most critical issues first. For example, Mayo Clinic prioritised fixing the highest-risk vulnerabilities first, which made it easier for teams to adjust to the new security steps.

Automation is also a huge help. Security scanning tools like OWASP ZAP can automatically check web apps for vulnerabilities and integrate easily with CI/CD pipelines. This is great for teams that roll out updates frequently. Centralising data from various security tools also gives teams a clearer picture of vulnerabilities. For instance, Defect Dojo pulls results from different scanners into one place, making it easier to see and prioritise issues. Additionally, setting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with business teams can help make sure vulnerabilities are fixed quickly. Salesforce, for instance, uses SLAs to hold all departments to the same security standards, which also helps with regulatory compliance.

Using Defect Dojo in Vulnerability Management

A popular tool in the DevSecOps community for managing vulnerabilities is Defect Dojo . It’s open-source, works well with various security tools, and makes it easier to keep track of and manage vulnerabilities. Here are some standout features of it:

User-Friendly Interface?—?Defect Dojo has a user-friendly interface that makes vulnerability data accessible for both developers and security teams.

API Support?—?Teams can automatically upload scan results through its API, which makes it easy to connect with CI/CD pipelines for ongoing security checks.

Multi-Platform Support?—?Built on Django, Defect Dojo works with different tools and platforms, so it’s a flexible choice for many teams.

JIRA Integration?—?Vulnerabilities can be directly sent to JIRA, allowing development teams to track and fix issues within the tools they already use for project management.

How Defect Dojo?Works

Setup and Integration?—?Defect Dojo is easy to set up?—?it can run as a standalone tool or within a Docker container, making it simple to integrate into DevSecOps workflows.

Automated Scans?—?Security scans run automatically as part of the CI/CD process, so vulnerabilities get flagged early. For instance, GitLab users can run scans on every code commit using tools like OWASP ZAP and feed the results straight into Defect Dojo.

Upload and Analyze Results?—?Once scans finish, the results are sent to Defect Dojo, where teams can review, prioritise, and filter out any false positives, helping them focus on the real issues.

JIRA Integration?—?With Defect Dojo’s JIRA integration, vulnerabilities can be pushed directly into the team’s backlog, making it easier for developers to address issues without leaving their regular workflow.

These steps make Defect Dojo a practical choice for keeping security tight and well-organised in DevSecOps environments.

All Useful?Tools

Here are some of the tools for this topic and what they’re used for. These tools are commonly used in DevSecOps to manage security vulnerabilities and control security risks effectively.

1- Security Monkey?—?https://github.com/Netflix/security_monkey?tab=readme-ov-file

Developer: Netflix

Purpose: Monitors Netflix’s cloud environment to spot security vulnerabilities

2- GitLab CI/CD Security Scanning?—?https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/development/integrations/secure.html

Developer: GitLab

Purpose: Runs security scans in GitLab’s CI/CD pipeline to catch security issues in code early on

3- OWASP ZAP?—?https://www.zaproxy.org/

Developer: OWASP?

Purpose: An automated scanning tool that finds vulnerabilities in web applications and can easily integrate with CI/CD processes

4- Defect Dojo?—?https://www.defectdojo.org/

Developer: OWASP Community

Purpose: Collects data from different security scanners, analyses it, and integrates with tools like JIRA to simplify management

5- ThreadFix?—?https://coalfire.com/threadfix

Developer: Denim Group

Purpose: Combines results from various security scanners into one dashboard to make managing vulnerabilities easier

6- RSA Archer GRC?—?https://www.archerirm.com/content/grc

Developer: RSA

Purpose: Provides risk and compliance management for large organisations, integrating security vulnerabilities into a broader risk strategy

These tools are commonly used in DevSecOps to manage security vulnerabilities and control security risks effectively.

Measuring Success with Security?Metrics

Tracking a few key metrics helps DevSecOps teams understand how well their vulnerability management is going. One of the main metrics is Number of Vulnerabilities by Severity?—?this means counting vulnerabilities by how risky they are: high, medium, or low. This way, teams get a clear view of their security status. For example, Amazon uses this approach to quickly find and focus on the most critical issues. Another important metric is Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), which measures how fast vulnerabilities get fixed. A lower MTTR means teams are handling issues quickly, and big companies like Google focus on keeping this number low to reduce security risks.

Other useful metrics include Automated Scanning Coverage and Vulnerabilities per 10,000 Lines of Code. Automated scanning coverage shows how many projects are being regularly checked for vulnerabilities?—?a high coverage means security checks are happening consistently. Tracking vulnerabilities per 10,000 lines of code, especially in large projects, gives teams an idea of the overall security of their code. By lowering this number over time, teams can improve the security quality of their codebase.

Conclusion

In DevSecOps, managing vulnerabilities is all about creating secure, reliable software. Tools like Defect Dojo, ThreadFix, and RSA Archer GRC help teams quickly find, track, and fix security issues. When you add strategies like starting small, using automation, and setting clear goals, these tools make it easier to stop security risks before they become serious problems. For teams focused on DevSecOps, staying on top of vulnerabilities isn’t just a best practice?—?it’s a must for keeping up with today’s security challenges.

Taking DevSecOps to the Next?Level

If you need a training platform that makes this process easier and shows you all possible methods, here’s your opportunity! If you want to deepen your knowledge of Vulnerability Management and improve your DevSecOps skills, there is a great opportunity to learn everything we have talked about here?—?like adding Vulnerability Management to your CI/CD pipelines and working with tools like DAST, SAST, OAST, IaC- and CaC-Sec. Whether you are new to DevOps or have some experience, this course is designed for all levels and is easy to follow step by step. Ready to start?

Check out the course and sign up here:

https://www.practical-devsecops.com/certified-devsecops-professional/?ref=852

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