Platform engineering vs. DevOps: Bridging the gap
In the quest for improved operational agility and software productivity, the concept of 'Platform Engineering' has emerged as a topic of significant interest among organisations. But does this evolving ethos signify a groundbreaking transformation in development processes, or is it simply another fleeting buzzword?
What is ‘Platform Engineering’?
Platform engineering is essentially a modern extension of the traditional DevOps methodology. To be precise, it represents an endeavor to delineate a specific facet of the DevOps landscape by creating a self-service interface for developers to provision and deploy infrastructure seamlessly.
With an emphasis on robust tooling, platform engineering has gained momentum due to its capacity to liberate developers from the intricacies of the underlying infrastructure. Developers can now, with just a few straightforward instructions, declaratively select the necessary infrastructure resources precisely when they require them. Subsequently, the platform engineering interface configures and executes a series of scripts to commission the requisite resources.
This approach resonates with developers as it enables them to focus primarily on writing code without the need to delve into the intricacies of corporate infrastructure. By removing the distraction of managing platform infrastructure, developers can channel their energy into crafting superior code at an accelerated pace.
Off-the-shelf solutions: A limited alternative
In response to this burgeoning trend, several third-party products have emerged in the market, aiming to address this perceived gap. Nevertheless, abstracting infrastructure deployment comes with its own set of trade-offs, as most, if not all, of these solutions are commercial offerings. Typically, in the pursuit of simplicity, they sacrifice flexibility.
At BlakYaks, we recently concluded a platform engineering project for a retail bank, delivering a customised service that empowers their developers to generate infrastructure on demand. Crucially, this service ensures the rigorous application and enforcement of DevSecOps processes behind the scenes.
This bespoke, self-service approach offers the retail bank several key advantages:
Tailored Service Offering: Developers are presented only with the specific options they require, preventing over-provisioning.
Enhanced Security: Services can be precisely customised to apply specific security controls and constraints consistently.
Simplified User Experience: Streamlined presentation ensures that developers and end users encounter only the choices essential to their tasks, allowing them to concentrate more on coding and testing.
Because this service is crafted from the ground up, the bank need not compromise DevSecOps principles for the sake of usability.
Is Platform Engineering a strategic pitfall?
While any effort to streamline development processes is commendable, a singular focus on simplicity may, in fact, be a strategic misstep. Platform engineering can be perceived as an anti-pattern of how DevSecOps should ideally function.
In isolation, platform engineering cannot serve as a complete substitute for a comprehensive DevSecOps strategy. Similarly, the integration of platform engineering and DevSecOps processes should be approached with careful consideration to avoid friction. Although it's possible to harmonise these approaches, seeking assistance may be necessary to strike the right balance.
To delve deeper into platform engineering solutions that enhance your DevSecOps processes, please don't hesitate to reach out to BlakYaks. We're here to help you navigate this evolving landscape effectively.
Get started now and enjoy a free-of-charge Discovery Consultation to review your DevSecOps strategy and receive a recommendations report with next steps. Get in touch at solutions@blakyaks.com.
