We at Practical DevSecOps are big fans of books, especially when the topic is DevSecOps. We frequently get queries asking for guidance on getting started in DevSecOps. This blog post will list down some of the best DevSecOps books every security enthusiast must read in 2023.

Best DevSecOps Books in 2023

Following are some of the best DevSecOps books, which provide both practical and theoretical insights to their readers.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. ― Dr. Seuss

1. The Phoenix Project, A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

The Phoenix Project is one of the classics of the DevOps revolution by Gene Kim and others. If you haven’t heard about this book, now is the perfect chance to grab a copy and enjoy this novel with coffee or tea. Don’t worry; it’s fictional but very technical (mostly).

2. DevOpsSec

DevOpsSec is a fancy quick introduction to the art of DevSecOps and its tasks. by Jim Bird. Bird has surprisingly summarized the ocean of DevSecOps into 80+ pages. If you are skeptical about the DevSecOps approach, like Jim (the author) was at the beginning of his DevSecOps Journey and why he is a staunch believer now, you must read this book.

3. Agile Application Security

Agile Application Security is one of the best DevSecOps books that brings together many field experts and lays a strong foundation for future generations—a comprehensive guide to DevSecOps practices and practical implementations.

4. Building a Modern Security Program

Looking for practical advice from someone who has already done it?

Then Building a Modern Security Program by Zane Lackey of Etsy fame is perfect. He takes you through his journey from a traditional security background and how Etsy’s DevOps implementation changed his views on running successful modern security programs.

5. Securing DevOps

Securing DevOps explores how the techniques of DevOps and security should be applied together to make cloud services safer. This introductory book reviews the latest practices in securing web applications and their infrastructure and teaches you techniques to integrate security directly into your product. You’ll also learn the core concepts of DevOps, such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure as a service.”

A very recent addition to the growing list of DevSecOps Books from Julien of the Mozilla security team. The publisher sums it up nicely.

Also read, How to start learning DevSecOps?

6. Hands-On Security in DevOps: Ensure continuous security, deployment, and delivery with DevSecOps

Hands-On Security in DevOps is a book that is dry at times but provides lots of emphasis on standards, policies, and compliance aspects of DevSecOps; it summarises lots of good information in a book.

7. Generation Z Developers

Generation Z Developers is a good book if programming scares you or you are just starting your career, read this fantastic book by Photobox CISO Dinis Cruz.

Dinis wrote this book for Generation Z (those born after 1996), but the tools (ChatOps, Docker, Jira, AI, etc.) and techniques he shared apply to anyone who wants to start learning DevOps.

Also read, Best Books on Kubernetes

8. The DevOps Handbook: How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, and Security in Technology Organizations

The DevOps Handbook is another classic from Gene Kim and Jez Humble, a worthy sequel to The Phoenix Project. This book shows what a perfect marriage between DevOps and security would look like and showcases exciting case studies on how different organizations have achieved DevOps maturity.

9. SRE and The site Reliability workbook

SRE and The site Reliability workbook is the Software Reliability Engineering (DevOps) book from Google’s Operations Team. Do we need to say more? Grab a copy!

Also read, Best Books on Container Security in 2023

10. Continuous Delivery

Why is the Continous Deliver book listed here?  Any practical implementation of a well-oiled DevSecOps pipeline needs a good understanding of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery. The author explains the need for CI/CD in cross-functional teams and how deploying in an agile, iterative process is the best way to develop software quickly and securely.

Also read, How to Become a DevSecOps Engineer

Conclusion

In conclusion, the above list of best DevSecOps books is a great starting point for security enthusiasts looking to enhance their knowledge in DevSecOps or security in general. These books do not just contain theories but are a rich source of practical guidance and real-world examples. It’s always possible to start learning, so grab a copy of your favorites and start your journey toward better, more secure software development practices.

DevSecOps is one of the most valuable skills for IT & Security professionals, valued for its ability to bridge the gap between software development, operations, and security.

Also read, Why DevSecOps is a promising career option?

Practical DevSecOps offers an excellent Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) course with hands-on training through browser-based labs, 24/7 instructor support, and the best learning resources to upskill in DevSecOps skills.

Start your journey mastering DevSecOps today with Practical DevSecOps!

Also read, Why should you learn Kubernetes Security?