DevSecOps IT modernization – Why automation matters.
Circumstances are conspiring to shine a spotlight on DevSecOps. Software supply chain attacks are on the rise. Funding has surged to record heights with a focus on cloud and DevOps security. The DoD has finalized its Software Modernization Strategy to help enable the delivery of resilient software. And the open-source security project, Checkov, has surpassed three million downloads.
With hackers exploiting minor weaknesses to gain access and move laterally into sensitive data, DevSecOps IT Modernization provides a solution by integrating security into emerging agile IT and DevOps development as seamlessly and as transparently as possible. Having focused mainly on tools and practices for securing code and infrastructure, DevSecOps is now expanding into the supply chain and positioning itself as key to securing data, regardless of environment or industry.
Everyone predicts a big year for DevSecOps IT Modernization.
We’ve been talking about DevSecOps and shift-left security for quite some time. Gartner predicts that “by 2023, 75% of organizations will restructure risk and security governance to address the widespread adoption of advanced technologies, an increase from fewer than 15% today.” Similarly, DevOps.com predicts DevSecOps will reach a tipping point in 2022.
The benefits of shift-left security are clear:
- Reduced high severity incidents
- Minimized potential attack surface
- Simplified compliance efforts
- Lower remediation times
- Automated opportunities to move faster and build more secure and reliable apps
Johnathan Hunt, VP of Security at GitLab, sets the scene for IT modernization moving forward. “The DevSecOps practice will continue to increase in 2022 as more and more organizations understand the efficiencies and improved security of this strategy. DevSecOps is a proven strategy within the DevOps Platform that reduces risk and security incidents while allowing faster and more secure code deployments — and organizations know this to be true. In 2022, DevSecOps will be the preferred strategy across all industries to combat today’s evolving threat landscape. Although we see an increase implementation of certain security protocols, the industry has been slow to respond. Much of this is due to the understanding, complexity, and difficulty in implementing of full DevSecOps within the tech stack. However, we will see a big jump in the adoption of DevSecOps in 2022 as more and more companies need to shore up their defenses against outside attacks.”
The biggest obstacles in your DevSecOps software modernization strategy are time and human resources.
Everyone agrees we need to focus on application and infrastructure security, but without enough staffing—and there is never enough human resources—the process goes very slowly and leads to other vulnerabilities. As Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, observes, “Transforming software delivery times from years to minutes will require significant change to our processes, policies, workforce, and technology.”
With 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs currently unfilled and no hope of those numbers improving in the next few years, automation is the only way to secure systems with speed and relevance. For example, compliance automation workhorses like ConfigOS can harden endpoints and create a secure initial baseline in about an hour, compared to manual hardening days and weeks. Better yet, the software works tirelessly 24/7 and doesn’t make mistakes.
Set yourself up for cyber success in 2022 and beyond.
With the GSA’s dashboard now back in operation and budgeting for 2023 on the horizon, now is the time to develop a plan for your DevSecOps IT Modernization over the next year. The most successful defense strategy for our nation’s data is for everyone from the government and throughout the supply chain to embrace DevSecOps—and compliance automation.
A resilient cybersecurity strategy is essential to running your business while protecting against security threats and preventing data breaches and other enterprise cybersecurity threats. DevSecOps, in combination with automation, is the fastest, most robust, and most secure approach available today. If you have any questions, we’re happy to discuss them.
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