DevOps vs. DevSecOps: Which is Better?

DevOps is a collection of practices that integrate software development and IT operations. In contrast, DevSecOps is a strategy involving security alongside the development and operations of software. This articles compares DevOps vs. DevSecOps, featuring their similaries, differences, and determines which is better.

What Are DevOps And DevSecOps?

DevOps is the integration of the complete software development lifecycle. All teams collaborate to achieve a common objective. It is another type of Agile approach, as many of its steps are identical to those of Agile.

In DevSecOps, security is integrated into each stage of the software life cycle. However, a distinct team is not designated for this purpose. In DevSecOps, everyone is responsible for security.

DevOps vs. DevSecOps: What’s in common?

DevOps and DevSecOps share many similarities. The two methods employ both automation and continuous monitoring and have a very similar culture. Both practices strive to enhance your business by attempting to bring together teams from across the organization, despite having distinct objectives. 

The Function of Automation

Automation in the field of application development refers to the use of technology to replace or augment human labor. Automation is a part of both DevOps and DevSecOps, which helps with workflows for continuous integration, continuous deployment, and continuous maintenance.

Common Culture

The emphasis on community binds DevOps and DevSecOps together culturally. Different teams collaborate to execute tasks and develop solutions. This collaborative culture unites diverse teams inside your organization to overcome obstacles and enhance the process.

The Purpose of Active Monitoring

Active monitoring is crucial for both DevOps and DevSecOps, as code that works today might need to be modified tomorrow. Software or programs that are now operating and code that is currently being developed must both be actively monitored.

DevOps vs. DevSecOps: What’s different?

DevSecOps originated from DevOps, but the objectives of the two disciplines are unique. DevOps emphasizes productivity, whereas DevSecOps emphasizes security. Let’s see what else sets them apart.

Different Goals

The DevOps team is more concerned with creating and delivering code. Good teamwork and communication help to speed up the process. The DevSecOps team focuses on code security in development cycle while also ensuring quicker deployment and rollout.

Philosophy

The philosophy of DevOps vs. DevSecOps is significantly different. DevOps increases collaboration between the development and operations teams in order to boost productivity. On the other hand, DevSecOps tries to identify innovative solutions by removing bottlenecks. It diminishes barriers between developers focusing on software, and IT professionals looking after network infrastructure.

Timing Of Security Practices

Only after code has been developed and deployed into higher domains is the security of the DevOps process taken into account. In this case, you do not prioritize security at the beginning. Instead, you only perform routine inspections after delivery.

But DevSecOps automates security at every stage of the development process. Because security is always the top concern during development or deployment, security experts are just as crucial as developers or the ops team.

Team Skillset

One of the primary differences between a DevSecOps expert and a typical security specialist is their skill set. A DevSecOps professional must be knowledgeable in both fields. Likewise, the latter need only an understanding of their area of specialty.

DevOps engineers are scripting-capable Linux system administrators. They should also be familiar with numerous DevOps tools and methodologies. Additionally, DevOps developers must work to incorporate cloud security as well.

Related articles:

• All About DevOps: Benefits And Costs
• How To Minimize Costs With DevOps
• Top 5 Challenges Of Implementing DevOps – And Their Solutions

Is DevSecOps Better Than DevOps?

Studies by Gartner found that by 2023, 80% of companies that don’t adopt current security measures will see rising operating expenses and slower responses to cyberattacks. There’s no denying that companies whose security practices lag behind the times are on the road to failure. DevOps vs. DevSecOps is a hot debate in many industries, but we believe that they both work together.

Automation technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence are improving. We should expect to witness a gradual but steady shift in business processes, possibly accompanied by the introduction of new frameworks. The future of DevSecOps will include faster IT deployments, better security, and easier automation.

Businesses can’t afford to treat security like an afterthought, it is crucial to begin including DevSecOps techniques into app development immediately.

How to Shift from DevOps to DevSecOps?

Transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps requires an awareness of the specific methodologies and processes that ensure software security. Let’s look into this a bit more and figure out exactly what technologies will be needed for a smooth transition.

• Static application security testing (SAST), which analyzes code for security concerns,
• Dynamic application security testing (DAST), which places your organization in the shoes of an attacker to find security flaws.
• RASP is a type of application self-protection that uses real-time data to detect and mitigate application attacks as they occur.
• Combining DAST and SAST, interactive application security testing (IAST) uses software to track an application’s performance.

Conclusion

DevOps vs. DevSecOps tend to differ, but they are in fact complementary to one another. Both approaches aim to make the lives of developers and technical staff easier, and both are effective in different situations.

The goal is selecting the optimal mentality for each situation, and this is where a pleasant attitude comes into play.

Organizations can examine what is best for them and their circumstances rather than imposing a solution on their teams. DevSecOps should be seen as an addition instead of being viewed as a formal solution to describe all security tasks.

For more information on DevOps, DevSecOps, and a variety of security information and products for businesses, contact us.