Integrating Security Engineering: Going Beyond DevSecOps

DevSecOps is Undead.

DevSecOps was introduced to integrate security seamlessly into the development and operations process. The goal was to build security into the software from the start, making it a part of every step in creating and deploying applications. But over time, DevSecOps has become overloaded with tasks. Engineers are expected to handle development, operations, and security all at once.

This has turned the role into a sluggish, inefficient system, much like a zombie that moves slowly and accomplishes little. Let us explore why DevSecOps has reached this point and how strategically introducing  Security Engineers can revitalize the process and help businesses add value to security programs.

The Overwhelming Scope of DevSecOps

Overwhelming Role of a DevSecOps Engineer

DevSecOps engineers have to juggle too many balls at once. Let’s build a collated list of responsibilities a DevSecOps engineer has to fulfil based on job descriptions of various organisations:

• Security Integration into Development

  • Security Code Reviews: Conduct code reviews to identify vulnerabilities and ensure adherence to security best practices.

  • Security Testing: Implement and execute various security tests (e.g., penetration testing, vulnerability scanning) throughout the development process.

  • Threat Modeling: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities in applications and systems.

  • Secure Coding Standards: Develop and enforce secure coding standards and guidelines.
    

• Infrastructure Security

  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security: Ensure security best practices are implemented in IaC tools and configurations.

  • Cloud Security: Implement and maintain security controls for cloud environments (e.g., IAM, encryption, network security).

  • Container Security: Secure container images and environments.

  • Network Security: Collaborate with network teams to implement and maintain network security measures.

• Automation and Orchestration

  • Security Automation: Automate security tasks and processes to improve efficiency and reduce human error.

  • CI/CD Pipeline Integration: Integrate security checks into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure continuous security validation.

  • Security Orchestration: Coordinate security tools and processes for effective incident response and threat management.

• Collaboration and Communication

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with development, operations, and security teams to foster a security-centric culture.

  • Security Awareness: Educate teams about security best practices and emerging threats.

  • Incident Response: Participate in incident response activities and conduct post-incident analysis.

• Compliance and Risk Management

  • Control Definitions: Interpret various compliance requirements and translate them into technical security controls that can be integrated and automated within the CI/CD pipeline.

  • Security Automation Implementation: Develop, implement, and maintain automated security testing processes within the CI/CD pipeline to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle.

  • Continuous Security Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring systems to track security metrics, detect anomalies, and respond to security incidents in real-time for strong security throughout development and operations.

…and the list still isn’t exhaustive.

The role requires a deep understanding of both development and security, and the sheer volume of responsibilities can lead to inefficiencies. Engineers often find themselves stretched too thin, trying to juggle multiple complex tasks at once. This is why DevSecOps often feels like a "zombie"—always active but making limited progress due to the overwhelming number of tasks. We need a strategy to reshuffle our expectations from DSO engineers so they can once again become the business drivers they are meant to be.

Introducing the Security Engineering Role Strategically

As digital landscapes grow in complexity and cyber threats become more sophisticated, the traditional DevSecOps role, initially designed to integrate security seamlessly into development workflows, has found itself stretched too thin. This overload has led to inefficiencies, with DevSecOps engineers often struggling to juggle multiple complex tasks simultaneously. This challenge has underscored the necessity for a role evolution, leading to the strategic introduction of Security Engineers.

Security Engineers are specialized professionals focused exclusively on security concerns. They bring deep expertise and dedicated attention to the security architecture and infrastructure of an organization, ensuring that security measures are not only comprehensive but also strategically aligned with business objectives. Their introduction is intended not to replace DevSecOps engineers but to enhance and support them by taking on the more specialized security tasks that have become too burdensome for DevSecOps teams to manage effectively alongside their other responsibilities.

To illustrate the dynamic between Security Engineers and DevSecOps engineers, consider the deployment and maintenance of Falco in a Kubernetes cluster—a common scenario in many technology-driven enterprises:

• DevSecOps Engineer Responsibilities

  • Repository Management: Facilitate the creation and management of the Falco repository, integrating security and development tasks.

  • Security Integration: Automate security testing and checks within the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that security measures are an integral part of the development process.

  • Operational Collaboration: Work closely with both development and operations teams to ensure that security practices are embedded from the start and throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Security Engineer Responsibilities

  • System Architecture: Architect and deploy Falco, ensuring the security setup is robust and scalable across the Kubernetes environment.

  • Advanced Security Measures: Develop custom security rules for Falco based on the unique needs of the organization and continuous feedback from the incident response team.

  • Compliance and Policy Management: Maintain ongoing security compliance, adapting policies as necessary to meet evolving security standards and business needs.

• Security Operations Team Responsibilities

  • Monitoring and Response: Continuously monitor Falco's alerts, developing and refining incident response strategies based on detected threats.

  • Feedback Loop: Provide actionable insights back to both Security and DevSecOps engineers to refine security measures and ensure that they are effectively mitigating identified risks.

This example demonstrates how Security Engineers can significantly offload the burden from DevSecOps engineers by assuming ownership of specialized, high-impact security tasks. Acting as a conduit between diverse security teams (GRC, Security Operations, Threat Hunting), Security Engineers translate complex requirements into concrete technical controls for both development and production environments.

While DevSecOps engineers concentrate on embedding security within the development workflow, Security Engineers ensure strategic oversight, maintaining a proactive and responsive security posture that aligns with broader organizational objectives.

In this evolving security landscape, the strategic integration of Security Engineers alongside DevSecOps teams is not just beneficial but essential. It ensures that organizations can adapt to rapid technological changes and complex security challenges more effectively and sustainably.

Conclusion

As organizations continue to navigate the complex interplay between rapid technological advancement and stringent security requirements, the role of Security Engineers becomes increasingly crucial. Integrating this specialized role not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of DevSecOps teams but also fortifies an organization's overall security posture.

If you're looking to deepen the strategic impact of your security measures and ensure your security practices are both robust and aligned with your business objectives, Intellifort.AI is here to help. Our expertise in strategic consulting and security solutions can transform your approach to cybersecurity. Contact us to learn how we can tailor our services to meet your unique needs and drive substantial business value