What the Heck is DevSecOps?

If you're not a specialist, I'm betting you have at least heard about DevSecOps as the "new" boy in town; a buzzword thrown around in meetings or tech discussions. But if you’re not a techie, it might sound like slang that’s easier to avoid than understand. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you’ll not only know what DevSecOps is but also how it connects three critical trades—development, security, and operations—and why everyone’s talking about the shift left philosophy.

Breaking Down the Slang

Let’s start with the name: DevSecOps. It’s a combination of:

• Dev – Short for Development, the people who write the code and build applications (developers, programmers, the guys with too much coffee..).
• Sec – Short for Security, the guardians who make sure that hackers can’t mess with the application (the guys with weird outfits happy to be called hackers, yet fighting the hackers to death).
• Ops – Short for Operations, the wizards who ensure the application runs smoothly in real-world environments (the after-go-live warriors keeping the show on).

In the past, these teams worked in silos. Developers built the software, threw it over the wall to the security team for checks, and then handed it to operations to deploy. Sounds simple, right? But here’s the problem: working in silos caused delays, misunderstandings, and vulnerabilities that could easily be exploited.

Camera! Lights! Action! Enter DevSecOps, the superhero trio working together.

How DevSecOps Works (In Plain English)

Think of DevSecOps as a production line where development, security, and operations are no longer separate stops. Instead, they work together at every stage of the process. This means security isn’t an afterthought—it’s baked into the cake from the beginning.

Here’s how it works:

1. Development builds the product.
2. Security ensures the product is safe while it’s being built.
3. Operations ensures the product works flawlessly and can be updated without breaking everything.

The Shift Left Philosophy

Now, let’s talk about shift left, a core principle of DevSecOps.

Imagine you’re planning a big event, like a wedding. If you only check the guest list or seating arrangements the day before the event, you’re bound to find problems that could’ve been solved weeks earlier, but you have to take the difficult decision now to live with them (take the risk) or call the event off (postpone the go-live).

The same thing happens in software development. Traditionally, security testing happened at the end of the process—right before the software was deployed (which is where the project managers have their finish line with all eyes on them to launch). But by that time, fixing problems became expensive and time-consuming.

DevSecOps flips this idea on its head. It moves security checks left, meaning they happen early in the development process. Problems are caught and fixed when they’re small, easy to manage, and less costly to handle.

Traditional: Plan → Build → Test → Deploy → Secure 
DevSecOps: Plan → Secure → Build → Test → Deploy → Secure        

Why DevSecOps Matters

1. Faster Delivery: With all teams collaborating from the start, there’s less back-and-forth and fewer delays.
2. Stronger Security: Security is built into the product from day one, not slapped on as an afterthought.
3. Cost Savings: Fixing vulnerabilities early in development is much cheaper than fixing them post-launch.
4. Reliability: Applications are more stable, secure, and ready for real-world use.

Making It Real: Everyday Examples

To help connect the dots (my favorite hobby), here’s an analogy:

• DevSecOps is like building a house. The architects (developers) design the house, the security team makes sure the foundation is strong and burglar-proof as it’s being built, and the operations team ensures the plumbing, electricity, and heating work perfectly when people move in.

Without collaboration, you’d end up with a house that’s pretty but unsafe, or one that falls apart because critical fixes weren’t addressed during construction.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Care?

Whether or not you’re in tech, DevSecOps reflects a broader shift in how we work: breaking down silos, collaborating across disciplines, and solving problems early instead of waiting for disasters.

If you’re a business leader, adopting DevSecOps could save you time, money, and headaches. If you’re a team member, it’s a reminder that everyone has a role to play—whether you’re writing code, securing systems, or keeping the lights on.

So, next time someone asks you, “What the heck is DevSecOps?” you’ll have the answer—and maybe even inspire them to embrace the shift left mindset too. You're welcome :)