Why You Should Implement Security as Code Into Your DevOps Project

Security as Code, as the name implies, is the means to implement security into the code of a software application. It also refers to a set of policies and procedures that a software development team puts in place. These policies ensure that security decisions are made, early and often, throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The practice also has another important component: to make security a shared responsibility between the Development and Security teams. As a result, collaboration between those two departments is improved, and the continuous feedback loop makes for faster bug detection.

Why is Security as Code Important?

Security as Code is important because it streamlines the way that security is implemented into a software application. How? By being part of the DevSecOps methodology, an approach to software development that stands for Development, Security, and Operations.

Prior to the advent of DevSecOps was the Waterfall model, a linear project management approach where each stage of development flows like a waterfall from one process to the next. The model also has a strict hierarchy that splits up the Development (the software builders), Security (the software testers), and Operations (the software deployers) teams into three separate departments, each with their own leaders, tasks, objectives, and goals.

While the Waterfall model is an effective way to establish structure and project requirements early, the insistence on siloed departments and upfront project planning limits flexibility and agility, especially in the face of unforeseen changes.

DevSecOps, and Security as Code, breaks free from the rigidness of the Waterfall model, by nurturing cross-department collaboration, prioritizing security each step of the way, and implementing continuous feedback for earlier and faster bug detection.

Benefits of Security as Code

There are many benefits to working with software development teams that use the Security as Code model.

Consistent Security Policies

One of the most important benefits of Security as Code is the ability to codify security policies at the start of a project. This means that everyone is on the same page as to how to implement security into a software product. Those policies can be repeated and used consistently throughout the entire SDLC. And there is no need to modify those policies, either. So, they can be used for future projects of a similar nature. As a result, the Development team – with guidance from the Operations team – has the knowledge and self-sufficiency to consistently write secure code.

Test Automation

Another benefit of Security as Code is being able to automate the process of reviewing code. With each change made to the source code repository, automated testing tools can quickly scan and analyze the code for potential security vulnerabilities. The results of each code review can then be presented to the software development team in easy-to-read reports. They can then use that information to remedy those security vulnerabilities before they have a chance to get buried deeper into the source code.

Improved Compliance

The Security as Code model is a great way to comply with industry-specific and global software development standards. The Medical Technology sector, for example, has strict coding standards. These standards apply to the development of software for medical devices. The standards relate to a wide variety of aspects, such as user safety, patient confidentiality, and general security considerations.

These standards help reduce the risk of bugs and security vulnerabilities being present in medical devices and therefore help improve patient confidence in the handling of their sensitive data.

A great example of medical cybersecurity standards can be found in the European Commission, which published the most recent Guidance on Cybersecurity for Medical Devices in 2019.

Better Security, Better Results

Cybersecurity is a major issue for businesses around the world. And it has only accelerated with the rise of hybrid and remote work arrangements. There has been a 42 percent increase in weekly cyberattacks globally in 2022 compared to the same time last year, according to the 2022 Mid-Year Trends Report by cybersecurity platform, Checkpoint. The same report reveals ransomware to be the number one threat to organizations around the world.

To avoid being part of these grim statistics, choose a software development company that is serious about security. A SaC plan will ensure that security is baked into every design and coding decision, from start to finish, as well as promote a greater sense of transparency between developers and stakeholders with clear, easy-to-understand security policies. Continuous feedback will also ensure that security vulnerabilities are caught and resolved early, before becoming ingrained into the final product.