Why it’s important to design DevSecOps from the start
Despite the long-term benefits, adopting a new operating framework tends to be an uphill battle. Technical challenges aside, there are also political considerations that need to be addressed. So why does DevSecOps have to be designed from the outset?
You need buy-in
Like all step-change processes, the value of DevSecOps is significant because the framework transcends traditional departmental boundaries. Unifying the development, IT operations and security teams allows you to build comprehensive processes that increase efficiency and security across the entire development lifecycle.
To succeed however, you must also unify the three teams, encouraging stakeholders to work towards common goals. And this can only be achieved by securing buy-in from all three. Starting discussions as early as possible offers an opportunity to explain the benefits of DevSecOps – and to ensure everyone knows how the process will benefit them.
Buy-in improves communication
Securing buy-in requires clear communication of expectations. The project sponsors will need to clearly articulate the common standards by which all teams are expected to adhere.
Once these channels are established, cross-team communications will be improved for all future operations. With information flowing freely, knowledge sharing is simplified – as is cross-department working. Importantly, open communication and clearly defined processes will help to deduplicate work, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Built-in security
Perhaps the biggest advantage of DevSecOps is the way in which security considerations are embedded into every part of your development and operations. With security as a primary consideration, DevSecOps avoids many of the issues faced by organisations who attempt to retrofit security, often creating as many problems as they solve.
On a more pragmatic note, DevSecOps ensures that quality and standards are enforced throughout the delivery lifecycle. As well as improving security posture, the framework will reduce rework and emergency remediations, lowering total cost of ownership.
But why does DevSecOps need to be implemented from the start?
One of the hardest mindsets to change is “we’ve always done it this way”.
Well-established processes can quickly become part of the corporate culture, no matter how inefficient or unpopular they are with development and IT ops. People will continue to do what they have always done simply because it is familiar. Trying to change long-held habits is difficult – but investing engineering time to get things ‘right’ will pay dividends in the long-term
A good DevSecOps process will also have a profound effect on your business moving forwards. Release cadence will improve as code development and deployment is streamlined and accelerated. The process will also scale more effectively, allowing you to take on new teams and products with relative ease. Again, because your DevSecOps framework has been embedded and established, new resources will be ‘indoctrinated’ to your way of working from the outset, maintaining the high development, security and operations standards you require.
But it all starts by implementing DevSecOps frameworks as early as possible in the evolution of your business.
To learn more about how BlakYaks can help you successfully implement DevSecOps in your growing business, please get in touch or book a meeting with one of our Yaks.
