DevSecOps is a rapidly growing field, with the global market projected to grow at a CAGR of 24.1% over the next few years, resulting in revenues exceeding $17.24 Billion by 2028. The philosophy emphasizes integrating security into the entire application lifecycle, resulting in better, more secure code delivered faster and more affordably. As a result, companies are increasingly looking for skilled DevSecOps engineers to join their teams. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive DevSecOps career path to becoming a Skilled DevSecOps engineer for aspiring and current IT professionals interested in this field.

Introduction to DevSecOps Career Path

DevOps is a practical approach for delivering reliable software quickly, but security is often left as an afterthought. DevSecOps integrates security as an essential component of the SDLC, distributing security responsibilities amongst team members and encouraging a “Security as Code” culture. 

Who is a DevSecOps Engineer?

A DevSecOps engineer is a skilled security professional who ensures that security is seamlessly and effectively integrated with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This entails identifying potential security vulnerabilities and devising robust mitigation strategies to prevent such risks from materializing.

Additionally, DevSecOps engineers are responsible for monitoring security threats, implementing security controls, and ensuring compliance with relevant security standards and regulations. Overall, these professionals are vital in ensuring that security is at the forefront of the SDLC and that security best practices are consistently followed throughout the development and deployment process.

The DevSecOps Career Path

The DevSecOps career path starts with a solid foundation in software development. Many DevSecOps engineers start as software developers or system administrators before transitioning to a DevSecOps role. Relevant certifications, such as Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) and  Certified DevSecOps Expert (CDE), can also help you to advance in this career path. You can also reach for leadership roles in DevSecOps through certifications like Certified DevSecOps Leader (CDL)

Here is a brief overview of the DevSecOps Career Path

DevSecOps Engineer Skills

To become a skilled DevSecOps engineer, you must have various technical and soft skills. Some of the best DevSecOps engineer skills are

1. Strong understanding of security concepts, including threat modeling, risk assessment, and vulnerability management.
2. Knowledge of the SDLC and experience integrating security best practices at every process stage.
3. Familiarity with automation tools and scripting languages like Python and PowerShell.
4. Understanding cloud security principles, including secure architecture design and configuration management.
5. Knowledge of container security principles, such as Docker and Kubernetes.
6. Experience with DevOps practices, such as continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) and infrastructure as code (IaC).
7. Familiarity with compliance frameworks and regulations, such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
8. Strong problem-solving skills, including analyzing complex security issues and developing effective solutions.
9. Effective communication skills, including working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
10. A passion for continuous learning and keeping up with the latest security trends and technologies.

DevSecOps Roles and Responsibilities

DevSecOps engineers are responsible for various tasks, including:

• Integrating security into the software development process.
• Identifying potential security risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Implementing security controls.
• Monitoring security threats.
• Ensuring compliance with security standards and regulations.
• Collaborating with developers, system administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that security is integrated into the development process

DevSecOps Engineer Requirements

DevSecOps engineer requirements are several, and some of them are as follows:

• Early detection of security vulnerabilities
• Faster deployment of secure software
• Greater collaboration between development, security, and operations teams
• Improved compliance with security standards and regulations
• Greater visibility into security risks and threats

How to Become a DevSecOps Engineer?

To become a DevSecOps engineer, you need to have a solid foundation in software development and security principles. You can start by obtaining a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications such as Certified DevSecOps Professional CDP can also help demonstrate your security expertise.

Also read, Best DevSecOps Books

Learning Resources for DevSecOps

Several resources are available for anyone interested in learning more about DevSecOps.The right DevSecOps Career Path to Becoming a Skilled DevSecOps engineer includes the aspiring individual equipping himself with essential tools.

Here are the resources you can use to pave your way to becoming a DevSecOps engineer, Namely:

1. Git (Version Control System)
2. CI/CD ( Continuous Integration and Delivery)
3. Artifact management
4. Infrastructure as Code(Configuration management tools)
5. Cloud Platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)

Do not feel overwhelmed! Initially, you only have to build a basic understanding of these tools.

Here is the link to the List of Videos, Tutorials, Blogs, Hands-on labs, or Online playgrounds you can use to pave your way to becoming a DevSecOps Engineer.

DevSecOps Tools and Technologies

Several tools and technologies are available for DevSecOps engineers. These tools help to automate security testing, identify potential vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with security standards and regulations. Some of the popular tools and technologies include:

• Jenkins
• GitLab
• Docker
• Kubernetes
• Ansible
• Terraform

What Does a DevSecOps Engineer Do?

DevSecOps engineers are required to be capable of efficiently implementing a range of DevSecOps best practices, including:

• Implement security early and often in the SDLC to identify and mitigate risks at every stage of the process.
• Establish a security culture across the organization and ensure all stakeholders know their responsibilities.
• Automate as much of the security testing and deployment process as possible to reduce the risk of human error.
• Adopt a risk-based approach to security, focusing on the most critical assets and vulnerabilities.
• Use infrastructure as code (IaC) to enable more efficient and consistent deployment of secure environments.
• Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and improve security posture.
• Encourage collaboration between security, development, and operations teams to share knowledge and best practices.
• Monitor the environment for security threats and respond quickly to incidents or breaches.
• Use a security-focused DevOps toolchain to enable seamless integration of security testing and deployment processes.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and regulations, such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR, by building security into the SDLC.

Challenges Faced by DevSecOps Engineers

DevSecOps engineers face several challenges, including

• Keeping up with new security threats and vulnerabilities
• Balancing security with development speed
• Ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations
• Collaborating effectively with developers and other stakeholders
• Managing the complexity of cloud environments

Conclusion

DevSecOps is a critical practice for businesses that rely on software applications. Becoming a skilled DevSecOps engineer requires a solid foundation in software development and security principles. Following the roadmap outlined in this article and continuously learning and adapting to new technologies and security threats, you can become a valued member of any DevSecOps team.

The DevSecOps field is projected to experience rapid growth, with revenues exceeding $17.24 Billion by 2028!

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 up skill in DevSecOps.

Start your journey towards becoming a skilled DevSecOps engineer with Practical DevSecOps!