Tips to Choose the Right DevSecOps Certification Course

In the rapidly evolving field of technology, DevSecOps has emerged as a critical discipline, integrating security into the DevOps process to ensure secure and efficient software development and deployment. Choosing the right DevSecOps certification course can significantly enhance your skills and career prospects. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect DevSecOps certification course for you.

Understanding DevSecOps

Before diving into certification courses, it is crucial to understand what DevSecOps entails. DevSecOps combines development (Dev), security (Sec), and operations (Ops) to automate and integrate security at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, deployment, and software delivery. This approach helps in identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities early in the process, ensuring robust and secure software products.

Importance of DevSecOps Certification

A DevSecOps certification validates your expertise in integrating security practices within the DevOps framework. It demonstrates your ability to implement security measures in the CI/CD pipeline, automate security checks, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Certified professionals are in high demand, as organizations prioritize security in their development processes to protect against cyber threats.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a DevSecOps Certification Course

1. Accreditation and Recognition

When selecting a DevSecOps certification course, ensure that the program is accredited and recognized by reputable industry bodies. Accreditation guarantees that the course meets high standards of quality and relevance. Certifications from recognized institutions, such as CompTIA, (ISC)², and the Cloud Security Alliance, carry more weight and are more likely to be valued by employers.

2. Course Content and Curriculum

The content and curriculum of the certification course should comprehensively cover the key concepts and practices of DevSecOps. Look for courses that include topics such as:

• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
• Security automation and orchestration
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• Application security testing
• Compliance and regulatory standards

Ensure that the course provides a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with hands-on labs and real-world scenarios to enhance your learning experience.

3. Instructor Expertise

The expertise and experience of the instructors can significantly impact the quality of the certification course. Opt for courses taught by seasoned professionals with extensive experience in DevSecOps. Instructors who have real-world experience in implementing DevSecOps practices can provide valuable insights and practical tips that go beyond textbook knowledge.

4. Mode of Delivery

Consider the mode of delivery that best suits your learning style and schedule. DevSecOps certification courses are available in various formats, including:

• Online self-paced courses: Ideal for individuals who need flexibility and can learn independently.
• Live online classes: Provide real-time interaction with instructors and peers, offering a more structured learning environment.
• In-person training: Best for those who prefer face-to-face learning and networking opportunities.

5. Practical Labs and Real-World Projects

Hands-on experience is crucial in DevSecOps, as it involves practical implementation of security practices in the development pipeline. Choose a certification course that offers extensive practical labs and real-world projects. These exercises allow you to apply theoretical knowledge in a simulated environment, preparing you for real-world challenges.

6. Certification Exam and Requirements

Understand the certification exam format and requirements before enrolling in a course. Some certifications require prior experience or prerequisite courses. Ensure that you meet these requirements to avoid any surprises. Familiarize yourself with the exam format, whether it includes multiple-choice questions, practical assessments, or a combination of both.

7. Cost and Value

While cost is an important consideration, it should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process. Evaluate the value offered by the certification course in terms of content, instructor quality, practical experience, and post-certification support. Investing in a high-quality certification can yield significant returns in terms of career growth and earning potential.

8. Post-Certification Support and Community

Post-certification support and access to a professional community can greatly enhance your learning journey. Look for certification programs that offer:

• Ongoing access to course materials and updates
• Membership to professional networks and forums
• Opportunities for continuing education and advanced certifications

Being part of a community of certified professionals allows you to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in DevSecOps.

Top DevSecOps Certification Courses to Consider

1. Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP)

Offered by the DevSecOps Institute, the Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) course covers comprehensive topics including CI/CD security, automation, and compliance. The course includes hands-on labs and real-world projects, making it a well-rounded option for aspiring DevSecOps professionals.

2. CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification, while not exclusively focused on DevSecOps, provides a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles. This certification is widely recognized and covers essential security concepts that are integral to DevSecOps practices.

3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification from (ISC)² is highly regarded in the cybersecurity industry. It covers a broad range of security topics, including those relevant to DevSecOps. This certification is ideal for professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of security management within the DevOps framework.

4. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional

For those working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional certification is highly valuable. It focuses on implementing and managing continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS, integrating security at every stage of the DevOps process.

5. Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

The Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification is designed for professionals using Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It covers best practices for building, deploying, and monitoring applications on GCP, with a strong emphasis on security and compliance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right DevSecOps certification course is a pivotal step in advancing your career in the field of DevSecOps. By considering factors such as accreditation, course content, instructor expertise, and practical experience, you can select a certification that aligns with your career goals and learning preferences. Investing in a reputable DevSecOps certification not only enhances your skills but also opens doors to lucrative career opportunities in the ever-evolving world of technology.

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Decoding DevSecOps and DevOps Course

The DevOps software development methodology seeks to break down the barriers between an organization’s development and operations teams, improving collaboration, speed, and efficiency. DevOps has become a best practice for many businesses. In a survey by Redgate Software, 74 percent of companies say they have now adopted DevOps practices in some form (Redgate, 2021). DevSecOps is a variant of DevOps that adds security into the mix, making IT security an essential concern throughout the development process.

With DevOps and DevSecOps in high demand right now, you might be searching for the right DevSecOps or DevOps course to fit your career goals. In this article, we’ll discuss how to compare and decode DevOps and DevSecOps programs and certifications so you can choose the right one.

Embracing DevOps and DevSecOps: The Surging Demand for IT Professionals

Both DevOps and DevSecOps are poised for significant growth in the next several years. This larger economic growth has naturally led to greater business demand for DevOps and DevSecOps professionals. MarketsandMarkets estimates that the worldwide DevOps market will grow from USD 10.4 billion in 2023 to USD 25.5 billion in 2028, with an annual growth rate of 19.7 percent (MarketsandMarkets). Meanwhile, the global DevSecOps market will be nearly quintuple in size during this period from USD 3.79 billion in 2021 to $17.24 billion in 2028 (Grand View Research).

Understanding DevOps Course

With all this in mind, what should you look for from a certification in DevOps? The key concepts, skills, and tools that you should learn during your DevOps engineer training include:

• Continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD): CI/CD emphasizes automating the software building, testing, and deployment processes to make them faster and more reliable. Tools include Jenkins, CircleCI, and GitLab CI/CD.
• Infrastructure as code (IaC): IaC manages and provisions IT infrastructure through code files rather than manual processes, further automating IT operations and management.
• Microservices and containerization: Developers build applications as a loosely coupled collection of microservices that can be deployed independently as containers with technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Logging and monitoring: DevOps teams collect logs and monitor application performance to quickly detect and resolve issues. Tools include Grafana, Prometheus, and the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana).

Some DevOps engineers choose a certification that trains them in a specific public cloud platform, such as a Microsoft Azure or AWS DevOps training. However, when you’re just starting out, this can limit your knowledge and opportunities. Instead, it’s a wiser idea to select a vendor-neutral DevOps certification to learn the fundamentals and then specialize by pursuing further Azure or AWS DevOps training.

Exploring DevSecOps Courses

In addition to the tools and techniques taught in DevOps, a DevSecOps course covers many important concepts. These include:

• Shift-left security: The term “shift-left security” refers to bringing IT security practices and concepts early in the software development process, from design and coding to testing and deployment.
• Security testing automation: IT security should be baked into the software testing process to quickly detect vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Tools include both static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) application security testing solutions such as SonarQube, Checkmarx, Burp Suite, and OWASP ZAP.
• Threat modeling and detection: In threat modeling, DevSecOps engineers identify potential threats to the application and formulate methods to mitigate or address them. Techniques such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing can help confirm the presence of security risks.
• Secure code practices: DevSecOps engineers learn about secure code practices to prevent common exploits such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). They also learn about security concerns in IT infrastructure and containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

Comparing and Decoding DevSecOps and DevOps Course

Of course, not all programs are created equal regarding the right DevSecOps or DevOps training. The factors to consider when comparing these certifications include the following:

• Content: Make sure that your DevSecOps or DevOps program covers the concepts and tools relevant to your career objectives, such as CI/CD, version control, cloud platforms, and security testing.
• Format: Depending on your learning preferences, goals, and schedule, you may prefer to attend in-person lectures with an instructor or follow an online, self-paced, asynchronous program.
• Expenses: Consider the course cost, training materials, and the exam. You can receive a scholarship or obtain tuition reimbursement from your employer.
• Hands-on experience: Practical knowledge is essential for DevOps and DevSecOps practitioners, so look for a certification that offers hands-on labs and projects to apply your theoretical knowledge.
• Support and community: Check to see if the course provides opportunities to connect and network with fellow students and instructors, such as forums, chat groups, office hours, or Q&A sessions.
• Industry value: To help advance your career, your choice of DevSecOps or DevOps certification should be offered by a well-regarded institution with a large alumni network.

Job Market Trends and Opportunities

Whether you choose a DevSecOps or DevOps course, the future looks bright for those interested in these growing fields. As of Aug 2023, there were more than 46,000 jobs in the United States on LinkedIn with the keyword “DevOps” and more than 8,000 jobs with the keyword “DevSecOps.”

As more organizations become aware of IT security concerns, the demand for DevSecOps engineers will only increase. According to Veracode’s State of Software Security report, 74 percent of software applications have at least one security flaw detected through automated scanning in the past 12 months (Veracode, 2023).

IT professionals who acquire valuable DevOps and DevSecOps skills can be well-compensated for this knowledge. According to Glassdoor, the average salary per year in the US for a DevOps engineer is USD 103,801 (Glassdoor, 2023), and for a DevSecOps engineer is USD 104, 689 (Glassdoor, 2023).

Source: eccouncil.org

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Exploring the Need for Security Skills in the DevOps Jobs Market

Getting more done in less time is a goal all companies strive for. In the field of software development, DevOps is making this happen. The DevOps methodology has revolutionized software development and deployment by streamlining the relationship between developers and operations teams. Businesses that have adopted DevOps are reaping the benefits of faster software delivery and more stable operating environments, so it is no surprise that DevOps has become one of the highly sought-after career fields.

The DevOps job market shows just how valued DevOps has become. The average salary for DevOps engineer jobs is over $109,039 per year (Glassdoor, 2023). The DevOps market is expected to grow at a 19.7% CAGR during the forecast period, from an estimated USD 10.4 billion in 2023 to USD 25.5 billion in 2028 (MarketsandMarkets, 2023). That is some pretty impressive growth for any career field.

At the same time, integrating security into DevOps jobs has become a higher priority. Since custom applications handle sensitive and proprietary data, possessing security skills is becoming necessary in the DevOps jobs market. If you’ve been thinking about making a career move into DevOps, you should be aware of the increasing importance of security in the DevOps jobs market.

What are the New Skills Employers are Looking For?

DevOps engineer skills have been in demand for quite some time. However, now that the career field has become more established, employers are looking for a broader set of skills. Companies have had years to refine their software deployment processes and are now putting out some very specific DevOps job requirements.

For example, familiarity with Unix and Linux environments is now a common DevOps job requirement. Much of the automation that powers DevOps is accomplished through scripting Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. Tasks such as text processing, system administration, and file handling (i.e., copying and moving files) are handled via scripts. Experience creating, modifying, and scheduling shell scripts will quickly become a requirement for DevOps jobs.

An understanding of the tools and apps commonly found in Linux environments is now a required DevOps engineer skill. Employers are looking for candidates who can work with version control systems like Git, the Apache web server, and containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.

Above every other new skill, though, is the need for strong DevOps security skills. The speed of deployment in the early years of DevOps could lead to security issues getting only minimal attention. Traditional IT security methods are often not a good fit for DevOps environments. Security in DevOps should be automated as much as possible, like much of the rest of DevOps, but there is now less tolerance for unsecured code in deployed software projects.

Employers are now looking for engineers with the ability to build risk-averse and security-compliant apps but at the speed of DevOps. Going forward, this will likely be the top priority among all DevOps engineer skills.

Growing Significance of Security in DevOps Jobs Requirements

This emphasis on security skills in the DevOps jobs market can be directly tied to the increasing threat landscape. In many ways, it’s easier than ever for those with bad intentions to get started with cybercrime. In the past, hackers had to write scripts and craft custom tools to carry out their nefarious work; today, the means to accomplish the same tasks can be freely downloaded if someone is so inclined. While some people may try hacking tools to see what they can do with them and do not have any evil intent, the threat level rises with such a lower barrier to entry.

Ransomware is also rising, representing one of the most severe threats to enterprise application security. As a company’s data is often its most valuable asset, malicious hackers have more motivation to hold digital assets for ransom. And most important to the DevOps market, the window of time to patch vulnerabilities is shrinking. This means it is more important than ever to identify and address security issues and ship an updated version.

In 2023, 22,000 application vulnerabilities were discovered every day (Forbes, 2023). In response, companies looking to bolster their staff with more DevOps jobs are now emphasizing security. Businesses need the speed and flexibility that DevOps brings to their application development lifecycle, but they need DevOps to be more secure and respond to threats faster.

Integration of Security with DevOps Lifecycle

Those who accept new DevOps jobs should change the approach and attitude that has always applied to the DevOps lifecycle. Collaboration between security teams and DevOps professionals must become a part of the lifecycle while maintaining speed and automation.

A higher level of security can be integrated into DevOps by using automated scanning tools. Artificial intelligence tools, such as large language models, that power popular tools like ChatGPT can also be applied to DevOps scanning practices. Code can be scanned as it is written, both by developers’ programming tools and external tools.

Automated scanning can also be applied to the other tools in the DevOps lifecycle. Much of today’s DevOps jobs are built on open-source tools and third-party container images. The programming environments that developers use, particularly on Linux machines, tend to have a lot of external dependencies written by third parties. While these tools and products are typically safe, they present an avenue for malicious code to be injected into the development process. Scanning containers and external code can help neutralize these potential threats.

Continuous improvement and continuous delivery (CI/CD) is one of the foundational concepts in DevOps. However, CI/CD pipelines have traditionally focused on bug fixes. A shift in attitude that CI/CD should also address security issues will be key to integrating security into the DevOps lifecycle. Teams that have accomplished this now often refer to themselves as DevSecOps, reflecting the increased emphasis on security.

How EC-Council’s DevSecOps Certification Helps DevOps Engineers Upgrade Their Security Skills

Cybersecurity professionals can acquire the skills necessary to design, implement, and manage secure applications and infrastructure via the EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE). In the E|CDE course, you’ll learn how the security bottlenecks of DevOps led to the emergence of DevSecOps. You’ll discover how the philosophy and culture of DevSecOps is enhancing collaboration between development and operations teams in today’s DevOps jobs and why that’s essential for the threat landscape of the future.

In the more than 80 labs in the E|CDE, you’ll integrate real-world tools such as Eclipse and GitHub with Jenkins to build applications. At the same time, you will learn how to integrate threat modeling tools like Threat Dragon and ThreatSpec to integrate security into the DevOps process. You gain the skills for DevOps that employers look for today while practicing in popular enterprise cloud environments like AWS and Azure.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Experts Insights: Strengthening Your DevSecOps with Web Application Security Testing

Strengthening DevSecOps with web application security testing is crucial in today’s digital landscape. DevSecOps integrates security at every stage of the development pipeline, and application security testing is the most crucial part of the process. Security testing involves assessing applications for vulnerabilities, ensuring that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of the development process. This approach promotes early detection and mitigation of security vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. In understanding the importance of shifting the security to the left, EC-Council interviewed entrepreneur and author Himanshu Sharma, CISO at 5ireChain. He shares insights on how, by automating security testing within DevSecOps, organizations can save time and resources, improve code quality and enhance overall security posture, fostering a proactive and secure development environment, which is essential in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats.

Himanshu Sharma is an accomplished security expert in the computer and network security sector. With a proven track record, he excels in Windows security, vulnerability management, internet security, and ethical hacking. His expertise has fortified businesses against digital threats. Himanshu’s career reflects a passion for safeguarding data and systems, leveraging technology to protect against vulnerabilities. As a dedicated professional, his commitment to the field has made him a trusted leader in the industry, as he strives to create a safer digital landscape.

Excerpts from the interview:

1. In your opinion, what are the emerging trends or technologies influencing the future of web application testing, and how do you stay up to date with these advancements?

Emerging trends in web application testing include increased reliance on API testing, testing for business logic flaws, microservices testing, and integrating security into the DevOps pipeline (DevSecOps). I regularly follow industry news, read research papers, participate in webinars, and engage with the testing and security community through forums and conferences to stay current.

2. What are the main challenges from a security perspective in testing web applications, and how do you suggest security teams overcome them?

Security challenges in web application testing include the complexity of modern apps, frequent changes, zero-day vulnerabilities, and the need for seamless CI/CD integration. Overcoming these hurdles requires a proactive approach, combining comprehensive testing techniques, automation, continuous monitoring, and close collaboration between security and development teams.

3. What are the key differences between functional and non-functional testing in web applications?

Functional testing validates the application’s features and behaviors, while non-functional testing assesses performance, security, scalability, and usability. Functional testing ensures that the application works as intended, while non-functional testing evaluates how well it performs and whether it meets quality standards.

4. When you approach testing from a holistic security perspective, what strategies and methodologies do you typically recommend?

A holistic security testing approach involves threat modeling, penetration testing, code review, secure coding guidelines, and continuous monitoring. By identifying potential threats early, actively testing for vulnerabilities, promoting secure coding practices, and continuously monitoring for issues, we can enhance the overall security posture of web applications.

5. What do you believe are some of the common security vulnerabilities in web applications, and how you would identify and mitigate them?

Web application security is crucial these days, given how prevalent attacks have become. From my experience, in helping companies assess and improve their application security, the following are the ones we discovered frequently.

One of the biggest risks is SQL injection, which happens when user-supplied input gets incorporated directly into SQL query strings without validation or escaping. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the backend database. To prevent SQLi, all user input should be sanitized, and parameterized queries should be used. Web application firewalls can also help block SQL injection attempts.

Another common issue is cross-site scripting (XSS), where unauthorized scripts and payloads get injected into application responses and executed in the victim’s browsers. Validating input and output encoding on the server can help mitigate XSS. The browser can also use HTTP headers like Content-Security-Policy for protection.

Server misconfigurations are a major problem: unnecessary open ports, unused services left running, and weak default credentials. Regular hardening and patching of servers and frameworks is important to close these gaps.

Also, we can’t forget business logic flaws. Those occur when workflows in the application code can be abused to manipulate behavior in unintended ways. During design reviews, rigorous functional testing and abuse case analysis helps uncover logic flaws.

To detect these issues early, techniques like static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) application testing, vulnerability scanning, and runtime monitoring complement secure coding practices.

6. How do you ensure compatibility aspects when testing a web application, especially for different types of cloud environments?

Ensuring compatibility across different cloud environments is a key concern when testing web applications since a single application may need to run on public and private clouds. The strategies I use include the following:

• First, build and test natively on your target cloud platforms from the start of development rather than just testing locally. This exposes potential compatibility issues with the cloud infrastructure much earlier, when they are easier to fix.
• Standardize your configuration management across environments using tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef. This automates environment configurations and reduces errors when deploying across dev, test, staging, and production.
• Parameterize configurations to separate platform-specific values like storage paths and resource names into configuration files. Use variables and scripts to load the right configs for each target cloud properly.
• Abstract underlying platform services like storage, queues, and databases behind SDKs or libraries so the application code can be more easily ported between cloud vendors.
• Automate provisioning and deployment using infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform. Combine this with CI/CD pipelines for consistent and repeatable deployment.
• Monitor logs and metrics after deploying to production to catch compatibility issues like out-of-memory errors. Quickly remediate any problems found.

7. How do you suggest incorporating and managing web application testing into a CI/CD pipeline from a security and user-friendliness perspective?

Integrating security and usability testing into CI/CD pipelines is crucial for delivering high-quality web applications quickly.

Shift testing is left by building validation checks into the commit stage, like static analysis, unit testing, and code quality checks. This provides rapid feedback to developers on potential bugs and security flaws before they propagate further.

Automate functional, integration, and user acceptance testing next in the continuous integration stage. Leverage frameworks like Selenium to simulate user workflows and interactions. Focus these automated tests on security criteria like authentication, access controls, input validation, and core user journeys.

Complement testing automation with manual testing sprints at various stages to check visual design, user experience, accessibility, and exploratory security testing. These help catch issues automation might miss.

Automated compliance and security scanning validate production readiness from an infrastructure and application security perspective for staging and production deployments. Penetration tests provide additional assurance pre-release.

Monitoring, logging, and alerting post-deployment round out the process by providing rapid visibility into emerging issues.

The key is to shift testing left, augment automation with manual testing, and bridge development to operations with security and user experience in mind at every pipeline stage. This allows for delivering robust and secure web applications at speed.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Container Orchestration for Enterprises: The First Step to a Successful Digital Transformation

Compliance is the number one concern for enterprises that are switching to container management platforms. According to a Cloud Container Adoption report, 65% of tech will leaders plan to turn to 3rd party vendors to meet their container management requirements. (CapitalOne, 2023) Docker, Google, Kubernetes, CoreOS, and other platforms are examples of container orchestration technologies that are built to overcome the challenges presented by modern containerization solutions.

The DevOps community is experiencing rapid advancements, and enterprises are embracing digital transformation at an unprecedented pace. While containerization technologies are easily deployable, they possess certain limitations that fail to meet enterprise requirements, particularly in terms of scalability and compliance.

Limitations of Containerization Technology

1. Containerization solutions are based on stateless architectures that do not adequately address storage and performance issues during scaling. Legacy architectures struggle to achieve the necessary API integration and direct connectivity for their container ecosystems.
2. Containerization storage lacks scalability and exhibits unpredictable performance, especially in distributed container systems and alternative gateways.
3. Most containers lack essential features like portability, encryption, integration, and migration capabilities, which are vital for smooth enterprise operations
4. Container misconfigurations sometimes go undetected after deployment and many developers fail to address the default settings. Misconfigurations in containers can lead to ports being exposed and insecure, leakage of user credentials, and poor visibility into workloads. There are also other challenges associated with these containers such as networking errors, resource usage issues, and increasing complexity.
5. Unrealistic pricing models and vendor lock-in periods hinder enterprises from opting for flexible pay-as-you-use subscriptions, making containerization solutions a significant investment of time and money.

What is Container Orchestration?

Container orchestration involves automating the scaling, deployment, implementation, networking, scheduling, and management of containers. Containers encompass complete applications that include libraries, code, dependencies, system tools, and infrastructure assets. The primary goal of container orchestration is to enhance the lifecycle management of containers. (Velimirovic, 2021)

While container orchestration has its origins in the 1970s, the technology has evolved significantly, leading to major improvements in container creation, management, and security. Currently, Kubernetes dominates the landscape of popular container orchestration services alongside IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Emerging container orchestration tools include Apache Mesos, PingSafe, and Docker Swarm.

Benefits of Container Orchestration

In complex containerized environments, managing individual components becomes increasingly challenging. Container orchestration helps streamline container lifecycle management in dynamic environments, enables application deployment, and facilitates seamless communication between programs and users or other applications.

The key advantages of utilizing container orchestration tools are:

1. Task automation and improved scalability for Cloud deployments.
2. Reduced operational costs through enhanced resource utilization and fewer workflow defects.
3. Enhanced disaster recovery planning and prevention of data loss.
4. Improved infrastructure stability, increased visibility, comprehensive audit trails, and effective conflict resolution.
5. Faster integration of new technologies, simplified governance, and robust data compliance.
6. Workflow visualizations and process simulations, leading to improved production capabilities.
7. Improved infrastructure security through isolation of malware and limiting unwanted communications with unapproved components.

As organizations manage numerous workloads, the automation of processes and optimization of resource and task management becomes crucial. Whether hosting applications and data on-premises, in the Cloud, or both, container orchestration addresses the challenges posed by traditional containerization, streamlines automation, and prioritizes cybersecurity. Container orchestration serves as a foundational element for successful digital transformation journeys, and there are various tools available to facilitate the process.

Container Use Cases

The following are the most popular use cases of containers in organizations.

• Ensure minimal changes to source code and make it easier to port applications from one environment to the next
• Migrate legacy applications from on-premise environments to the cloud and use the lift-and-shift cloud migration strategy for modernizing application stacks
• Assist engineering teams with the implementation of continuous integration and development practices and apply DevOps culture. This makes producing, developing, deploying, and testing applications a lot faster, productive, and more convenient
• Promotes significant cost savings for organizations by reducing the need for physical hardware and equipment through virtualization. Containers are excellent for multi-cloud environments and can run microservice-based applications in them.

Best Tools for Container Orchestration

It’s important to use a platform that allows developers to efficiently scale, manage, and deploy containers in production environments. Containers have a short lifecycle and have different scheduling requirements. Using the right DevOps tools ensures faster application deliveries, simplified infrastructure automation, and achieves mandatory compliance.

The most popular container orchestration tools used by professionals are:

1. Kubernetes – Kubernetes is the industry standard for container orchestration and an open-source tool used to manage resources and deploy scalable containers effectively. It features high-level architecture, managed services, increased DevOps efficiency, and can deploy workloads in multi-cloud environments with no requirement of vendor lock-in
2. Docker Swarm – Docker Swarm improves production deployments for developers and fits great when it comes to flawless cluster management. It offers an excellent service discovery tool and is simple, lightweight, and intuitive. Those who are new to container orchestration find its automated load balancing feature to be useful and it is extremely easy to use.
3. Rancher – Racher enables container orchestration, distribution, and scheduling for global enterprises. It offers features such as application cataloging, enterprise-grade pre-authentication controls, role-based access controls, etc.
4. Google Cloud Run – Google Cloud Run is a fully managed modern containerization platform that takes applications to production in seconds. It is scalable, supports database migrations, batch data transformation, nightly reports, and runs on the cloud.
5. Google Container Engine – Google Container Engine is a fully automated Kubernetes service that reduces cluster costs and streamlines load node management. Its autopilot mode offers a Serverless Kubernetes experience, and it features access to prebuilt Kubernetes applications and deployment templates. From simplified licensing, portability, consolidated billing, and open-source images, users can deploy applications on third-party clouds and on-premises using it from the Google Cloud Marketplace.

There are other modern container orchestration tools like the Hasicorp Nomad, Mesos, Azure AKS Service, Amazon EC2 Container Service (ECS), and Azure AKS Service. Whether an organization opts for managed container orchestration or self-hosted container orchestration tools will fully depend on their business requirements. (Wilson, 2022)

Best Practices for Container and Kubernetes Security

1. Secure Images: Utilize trusted sources and store containerized applications in a secure private registry to prevent tampering. Employ image signature verification for additional security measures.
2. Never Store Credentials in Code: Use a dedicated secrets manager to securely manage passwords and other sensitive information, avoiding storing them directly in code or configuration files.
3. Enable Real-time Container Monitoring: Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting mechanisms to enhance visibility into each component of the containerized environment. This enables effective threat detection, remediation, and continuous compliance monitoring. Collect resource usage metrics and analyze them to detect issues with container performance, management, and troubleshoot other problems.
4. Use the Principle of Least Privilege Access – The principle of least privilege access will grant minimal access to users to perform given tasks and not exceed their permissions. It prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information and prevents users from exploiting root privileges. Restricting container access can mitigate vulnerabilities at the host-kernel level and eliminate security risks arising during container runtime and execution. Use Role Based Access Control (RBAC).
5. Automate Vulnerability Scanning and Management – Automate vulnerability scanning and management for CI/CD pipelines and mitigate security risks before they occur or have a chance to escalate. It’s a good practice to identify root issues and scan software code to check for security vulnerabilities. Other good practices are image scanning, Static Application Security Testing (SAST), and Software Component Analysis (SCA).
6. Implement Network Security – Define Kubernetes network security policies and controls to limited unwanted traffic to different ports and protocols. Applying network segmentation can limit network access to specific services and prevented unauthorized access to pods by isolating containers. Load balancers should be used to block ingress traffic and the best encryption for ensuring reliable communications between pods is TLS. Users can secure traffic between microservices by implementing a service mesh.
7. Implement Pod Security Policies: Pod Security Policies define and enforce security constraints on the creation and execution of pods within Kubernetes clusters. These policies help prevent the deployment of insecure or misconfigured pods, reducing the potential attack surface. By implementing Pod Security Policies, you can ensure that only trusted and secure pods are running in your environment.

Conclusion

If you find yourself tired of manually scanning containers and nodes to uncover blind spots and are seeking comprehensive automated analytics, look no further than modern containerization solutions. Container management and production solutions these days adopt preventive cybersecurity measures that eliminate cyberattacks by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. They will help you enhance real-time security, prevent breaches, and take a proactive approach to safeguarding containerized environments.

Container security is a continuous process and as companies shift to cloud-native architecture, the demand for faster application deliveries will keep rising. It is critical to implement the best security practices and safeguard container applications for peak optimum security and peak performance.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Decoding DevSecOps and DevOps Engineer Courses

The DevOps software development methodology seeks to break down the barriers between an organization’s development and operations teams, improving collaboration, speed, and efficiency. DevOps has become a best practice for many businesses. In a survey by Redgate Software, 74 percent of companies say they have now adopted DevOps practices in some form (Redgate, 2021). DevSecOps is a variant of DevOps that adds security into the mix, making IT security an essential concern throughout the development process.

With DevOps and DevSecOps in high demand right now, you might be searching for the right DevSecOps or DevOps course to fit your career goals. In this article, we’ll discuss how to compare and decode DevOps and DevSecOps programs and certifications so you can choose the right one.

Embracing DevOps and DevSecOps: The Surging Demand for IT Professionals

Both DevOps and DevSecOps are poised for significant growth in the next several years. This larger economic growth has naturally led to greater business demand for DevOps and DevSecOps professionals. MarketsandMarkets estimates that the worldwide DevOps market will grow from USD 10.4 billion in 2023 to USD 25.5 billion in 2028, with an annual growth rate of 19.7 percent (MarketsandMarkets). Meanwhile, the global DevSecOps market will be nearly quintuple in size during this period from USD 3.79 billion in 2021 to $17.24 billion in 2028 (Grand View Research).

Understanding DevOps Courses

With all this in mind, what should you look for from a certification in DevOps? The key concepts, skills, and tools that you should learn during your DevOps engineer training include:

• Continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD): CI/CD emphasizes automating the software building, testing, and deployment processes to make them faster and more reliable. Tools include Jenkins, CircleCI, and GitLab CI/CD.
• Infrastructure as code (IaC): IaC manages and provisions IT infrastructure through code files rather than manual processes, further automating IT operations and management.
• Microservices and containerization: Developers build applications as a loosely coupled collection of microservices that can be deployed independently as containers with technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Logging and monitoring: DevOps teams collect logs and monitor application performance to quickly detect and resolve issues. Tools include Grafana, Prometheus, and the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana).

Some DevOps engineers choose a certification that trains them in a specific public cloud platform, such as a Microsoft Azure or AWS DevOps course. However, when you’re just starting out, this can limit your knowledge and opportunities. Instead, it’s a wiser idea to select a vendor-neutral DevOps course to learn the fundamentals and then specialize by pursuing further Azure or AWS DevOps training.

Exploring DevSecOps Courses

In addition to the tools and techniques taught in DevOps, a DevSecOps course covers many important concepts. These include:

• Shift-left security: The term “shift-left security” refers to bringing IT security practices and concepts early in the software development process, from design and coding to testing and deployment.
• Security testing automation: IT security should be baked into the software testing process to quickly detect vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Tools include both static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) application security testing solutions such as SonarQube, Checkmarx, Burp Suite, and OWASP ZAP.
• Threat modeling and detection: In threat modeling, DevSecOps engineers identify potential threats to the application and formulate methods to mitigate or address them. Techniques such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing can help confirm the presence of security risks.
• Secure code practices: DevSecOps engineers learn about secure code practices to prevent common exploits such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). They also learn about security concerns in IT infrastructure and containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

Comparing and Decoding DevSecOps and DevOps Engineer Courses

Of course, not all programs are created equal regarding the right DevSecOps or DevOps course. The factors to consider when comparing these certifications include the following:

• Content: Make sure that your DevSecOps or DevOps course covers the concepts and tools relevant to your career objectives, such as CI/CD, version control, cloud platforms, and security testing.
• Format: Depending on your learning preferences, goals, and schedule, you may prefer to attend in-person lectures with an instructor or follow an online, self-paced, asynchronous program.
• Expenses: Consider the course cost, training materials, and the exam. You can receive a scholarship or obtain tuition reimbursement from your employer.
• Hands-on experience: Practical knowledge is essential for DevOps and DevSecOps practitioners, so look for a certification that offers hands-on labs and projects to apply your theoretical knowledge.
• Support and community: Check to see if the course provides opportunities to connect and network with fellow students and instructors, such as forums, chat groups, office hours, or Q&A sessions.
• Industry value: To help advance your career, your choice of DevSecOps or DevOps course should be offered by a well-regarded institution with a large alumni network.

Job Market Trends and Opportunities for DevOps and DevSecOps

Whether you choose a DevSecOps or DevOps course, the future looks bright for those interested in these growing fields. As of Aug 2023, there were more than 46,000 jobs in the United States on LinkedIn with the keyword “DevOps” and more than 8,000 jobs with the keyword “DevSecOps.”

As more organizations become aware of IT security concerns, the demand for DevSecOps engineers will only increase. According to Veracode’s State of Software Security report, 74 percent of software applications have at least one security flaw detected through automated scanning in the past 12 months (Veracode, 2023).

IT professionals who acquire valuable DevOps and DevSecOps skills can be well-compensated for this knowledge. According to Glassdoor, the average salary per year in the US for a DevOps engineer is USD 103,801 (Glassdoor, 2023), and for a DevSecOps engineer is USD 104, 689 (Glassdoor, 2023).

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is DevOps and Why Is DevOps Failing?

You’ve probably heard the term countless times, but maybe you’re still wondering: what is DevOps, and why DevOps? DevOps is a software development methodology that aims to break down the barriers between an organization’s development and operations teams, fostering closer collaboration (AWS).

DevOps combines the two functions of software development and IT operations, which have historically been divided into separate teams. The goal of DevOps is to improve the efficiency, speed, quality, and reliability of the software development lifecycle.

Unfortunately, companies may suffer from a number of issues if they fail to implement DevOps effectively. Below, we’ll investigate the problems with DevOps and the increasing support for its replacement: DevSecOps.

Why DevOps Will Become Obsolete in The Future

The history of DevOps dates back to the late 2000s, and the methodology was heavily inspired by similar development philosophies such as agile. Since its beginnings, DevOps has grown to become one of the most widely used software development practices. According to Puppet’s “State of DevOps” survey, 83 percent of IT decision-makers say their organization is currently implementing DevOps practices (Puppet).

Companies adopt DevOps for many different reasons, but all of them seek to improve business processes surrounding software development. Faster software delivery, higher software quality, and stronger communication are just a few reasons why DevOps is important for so many organizations.

Despite the widespread (and increasing) popularity of DevOps, the methodology suffers from some fundamental flaws. The IT research and consulting firm Gartner, for example, estimates that 75 percent of DevOps initiatives will fail due to problems with organizational learning and change (Costello, 2019). As we’ll discuss below, organizations that haven’t effectively implemented the DevOps process effectively suffer from a number of common problems.

Insecure Software

DevOps prioritizes speed during the development process, which may at first sound like a positive. However, this often means that DevOps teams don’t have time to consider security issues. As a result, software applications are riddled with security vulnerabilities and bugs in production.

Slow Releases

Some DevOps teams do consider security issues during software development, using techniques such as vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. Unfortunately, many organizations don’t know how to implement these methods efficiently and automatically. As a result, the speed of software releases slows down.

Budget Overruns

Failing to consider security issues upfront during software development can lead to unexpected costs later. Development teams may be forced to address vulnerabilities later during development or even while the software has been deployed to production. This tends to be significantly more expensive than addressing problems when they crop up during development.

Increased Risk of Attacks and Issues

The DevOps lifecycle often involves a variety of software components and dependencies from vendors and libraries. This creates the risk of supply chain attacks: attackers inject malicious code into third-party plugins or frameworks, creating a downstream effect that allows them to exploit many different applications. Misconfigurations in software, infrastructure, or cloud services can also introduce security flaws.

Difficult and Slow Breach Detection

Due to the lightning-fast pace of DevOps, it can be hard for teams to pay attention to security issues and intrusions. Without tools such as SIEM (security information and event management) platforms and IDS/IPS (intrusion detection/prevention systems), DevOps teams may be unaware of an ongoing attack, letting adversaries continue to exploit vulnerabilities.

Damage to Reputation and Trust

The application security problems that arise due to issues with DevOps can cause long-term damage to a company’s reputation. If sensitive data is compromised or business operations are disrupted, the organization may struggle to regain customers’ trust and can even suffer legal or financial penalties.

DevSecOps: The Need for a Security Layer During Development

Given the issues with DevOps listed above, more and more organizations are looking to include security as a fundamental component of the software development lifecycle. That’s exactly the motivation that has led to the newer alternative to DevOps: DevSecOps. As the name suggests, DevSecOps integrates not only software development and IT operations but also IT security concerns. Rather than being an afterthought once software has already been deployed to production, security is an essential part of the DevSecOps practice. Not only does DevSecOps prioritize speed and efficiency during development, but it also emphasizes the value of high-quality software that is free of security flaws.

For example, DevSecOps encourages businesses to automate their security testing and monitoring workflows throughout the software development lifecycle. This includes techniques such as security scans, penetration testing, and code analysis that uncover hidden flaws in the software before it is released. By detecting these problems early on, DevSecOps teams can save companies valuable time, money, and effort—which is also the goal of standard DevOps as originally envisioned.

The Importance of DevSecOps for Organizations

Businesses of all sizes and industries stand to gain a great deal by switching from DevOps to DevSecOps. Below are just a few reasons why DevSecOps is so important for organizations:

◉ Cost savings: As practitioners of DevOps know, small issues that are unresolved early in the development process can spiral into massive problems later. DevSecOps helps detect and resolve security issues early in development, reducing the cost of fixing them and the likelihood of an expensive data breach.

◉ Regulatory compliance: Depending on their industry and location, organizations may be subject to data privacy and data security laws and regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. By incorporating security into the software development process with DevSecOps, businesses can demonstrate that they are taking adequate measures to comply with these regulations.

◉ Greater trust and better reputation: Organizations that prioritize building secure, high-quality software are more likely to earn the trust of their partners, stakeholders, and customers. By dedicating themselves to protecting sensitive data and mitigating business risk, these companies demonstrate that they take the security of themselves and others seriously.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What is DevSecOps and How it works

By now, DevOps is a clear best practice for software development. According to a 2021 survey by Redgate Software, 74 percent of organizations have now adopted DevOps in some form (Redgate, 2021).

Within the broader practice of DevOps, the use of DevSecOps is also surging. Data Bridge Market Research estimates that the global DevSecOps market will expand from $2.59 billion in 2021 to $23.16 billion in 2029, with an annual growth rate of 31.5 percent (Data Bridge Market Research, 2022).

DevSecOps adds security concepts to the development and operations teams which form the foundation of DevOps. The primary purpose of DevSecOps is to make security a vital part of the software development process, considering security issues at each stage of the pipeline.

With DevSecOps a hot topic in IT and software development, it’s no surprise that many IT professionals are looking to move into the field. One of the best ways to become a DevSecOps engineer is by obtaining one of the various DevSecOps certifications. But with multiple options available, how can you choose the right DevSecOps course for you? This article will go over essential tips for selecting the best DevSecOps certification.

Tip #1: Understand Your DevSecOps Goals

The first question to ask when choosing the proper DevSecOps certification is: what are your goals when obtaining this certification? For many prospective students, the answer will be to obtain a job in the DevSecOps field or to facilitate their move from DevOps to DevSecOps. In this case, you should carefully examine the program’s curriculum to determine whether it has what you need for career success.

The best DevSecOps and DevOps certifications will offer a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on labs to help students gain real-world experience with DevOps tools and technologies. There are many DevOps platforms and solutions that practitioners should know about, including:

• Automation tools and practices
• Continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools
• Penetration testing software
• Compliance as code tools
• Threat modeling tools
• Vulnerability scanning tools
• Logging and monitoring software

At the same time, DevSecOps engineers need to have a solid theoretical underpinning of the field. This will help you not only put DevOps and DevSecOps concepts into practice but understand why they are necessary and how they help improve the software development life cycle.

For example, EC-Council’s Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE) program strikes a balance between theoretical and practical instruction with more than 80 hands-on labs and seven different modules covering the eight stages of the DevSecOps pipeline, from planning to operations and monitoring.

Tip #2: Find a Multi-Platform DevSecOps Course

DevOps and DevSecOps are both methodologies that are well-suited for cloud computing environments. This is for multiple reasons, including:

◉ Automation: DevSecOps heavily uses automation to improve speed, efficiency, and accuracy. This aligns well with public cloud environments, which provide many tools and services for automating infrastructure, applications, and resources.

◉ Security: DevSecOps adds security to the standard set of DevOps concerns, making it a priority at every stage of the software development life cycle. This makes it a good match for the cloud, where security is likewise critical to protect sensitive data and other assets.

◉ Collaboration: DevOps and DevSecOps aim to foster closer collaboration between the development, security, and operations teams within an organization. As such, they fit well in the cloud, which offers a common platform for these teams to communicate and share information about changes to the codebase.

Potential DevSecOps practitioners would do well to learn about cloud environments. This may include specializing in a particular public cloud provider, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. However, many organizations are still running DevOps either on-premises or in a hybrid setup that combines on-premises and cloud workloads.

For these reasons, DevSecOps courses should ideally be multi-platform. First, a vendor-agnostic approach will help students learn about general cloud computing principles, regardless of which cloud platform they work with. Second, your DevSecOps certification should address issues that pertain to both on-premises and the cloud. EC-Council’s E|CDE course, for example, covers DevSecOps topics in various environments: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and on-premises.

Tip #3: Review the DevSecOps Course Requirements and Schedule

Even the best DevSecOps course won’t be the right fit if it doesn’t align with your personal needs. When finalizing your choice of the proper DevSecOps certification, review the course’s requirements and schedule to ensure that you can complete it on time.

For example, many potential students are looking for a course they can take with a full-time job as they transition into the DevSecOps field. These students would do their best to find a DevSecOps course with an online or hybrid learning model and where the course lectures and assignments can be completed asynchronously (i.e., without fixed times or with flexible or loose deadlines).

EC-Council’s E|CDE course gives students multiple learning options, letting them choose the best fit for their situation. E|CDE students can choose from:

◉ Self-study: E|CDE is available in an asynchronous, self-study environment delivered online via streaming video.

◉ Live online: Motivated students can follow the E|CDE course in a synchronous online learning format, with live lectures by an instructor.

Why EC-Council’s E|CDE Course is the Best DevSecOps Certification

DevSecOps certifications are an excellent way to break into the field of DevSecOps or advance your career. When choosing from among the various DevSecOps courses, there are several criteria you can use to evaluate them. Some students are primarily concerned with the cost or return on investment, others are looking for a flexible program that they can accommodate with a full-time job, and still, others want certification with a rich curriculum that will best prepare them for a job as a DevSecOps engineer.

If you’re wondering which is the best DevSecOps course for you, consider EC-Council’s E|CDE program that teaches students the essential skills to design, develop, and maintain secure applications and infrastructure.

With more than 80 practical, hands-on labs and seven modules covering the entire DevSecOps pipeline, the E|CDE course prepares IT professionals for real-world DevSecOps challenges. The benefits of EC-Council’s E|CDE certification include the following:

◉ Designed by experts: E|CDE was built from the ground up by DevSecOps professionals and subject matter experts worldwide.

◉ Cloud and on-premises: E|CDE provides thorough coverage of on-premises environments and the Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure public clouds.

◉ Highly versatile toolkit: E|CDE teaches students about dozens of tools, services, and platforms they will use in their real-world work as DevSecOps engineers, from threat modeling and security testing to automation and CI/CD.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Why DevSecOps Is Essential for Every IT Industry

What Is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps is a methodology that integrates security into the software development process.

Patrick Debois and Andrew Clay Shafer coined the term “DevSecOps,” but the concept has been around for several years. DevOps has been gaining popularity recently as organizations strive to speed up software development.

Developers and operations teams build, test, and deploy applications rapidly and frequently in a DevOps environment.

Security has often hindered speed and agility in the software development process. However, with the rise of DevOps, there is a growing recognition that security must be integrated into the development process if organizations deliver secure software at high velocity.

DevSecOps aims to automate security testing and integrate it into the software development process to identify and remediate security issues early in the development cycle. This shift-left approach to security enables organizations to deliver secure software faster.

DevSecOps: Defined, Explained, and Explored

DevSecOps combines the speed and agility of DevOps with the security-focused mindset of the traditional Information Security (InfoSec) team.

In a traditional organization, the InfoSec team is responsible for keeping the company’s data safe from external threats. They do this by implementing security controls and monitoring for compliance. The problem is that these security controls can often slow down the software development process.

For example, a developer who wants to deploy a new feature might have to go through a lengthy approval process with the InfoSec team before pushing their code to production. This can create a bottleneck that slows down the entire development process. DevSecOps aims to address this problem by shifting security left in the software development lifecycle.

Instead of waiting for code to be deployed before it’s reviewed for security issues, DevSecOps calls for continual security testing and monitoring throughout the entire development process. This way, security concerns can be addressed before they cause issues later.

How Does DevSecOps Work?

The key to making DevSecOps work is a collaboration between the development, operations, and security teams. In a traditional organization, these teams often operate in silos, leading to conflict and delays.

DevSecOps fosters a culture of collaboration and communication between these teams, which is essential for delivering secure software quickly. DevSecOps teams often use various tools and automation techniques to make this happen.

For example, they might use continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to automate the software delivery process. They might also use security scanning tools to automatically find and fix security vulnerabilities in code and configuration management tools to ensure that all servers are properly configured and compliant with security policies.

Why Is DevSecOps Important?

There are several reasons why DevSecOps is such an important part of the software development process.

◉ First, it helps organizations deliver software faster without sacrificing security. This is because security is built into the process from the beginning rather than being an afterthought.

◉ Second, DevSecOps helps organizations avoid the “security vs. speed” trade-off that often happens when traditional security controls are applied to Agile development processes.

◉ Third, DevSecOps helps organizations improve their overall security posture by baking security best practices into the software development process.

◉ Finally, DevSecOps can help organizations save money by reducing the need for manual security testing and remediation.

What Are the Benefits of DevSecOps?

There are many benefits of adopting a DevSecOps approach to software development. Here are just a few of them:

◉ Faster delivery times – DevOps can significantly speed up the software development life cycle by automating tasks and increasing collaboration between developers and operations teams. This means that new features and updates can be released more quickly, giving businesses a competitive edge.

◉ Cost savings – Automating repetitive tasks saves time and money. In addition, by reducing errors and rework, DevOps can help organizations improve their bottom line.

◉ Improved security posture – DevOps can help organizations improve their security postures by automating patch management and vulnerability testing tasks. By doing so, businesses can reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.

◉ Repeatable and adaptive process – DevOps is a repeatable and adaptive process that can be easily adapted to the changing needs of an organization. This makes it ideal for businesses that are constantly evolving and need to be able to respond quickly to market changes.

◉ Increasing the value of DevOps – As businesses adopt DevOps practices, they often find that they can increase the value of their development team. This is because DevOps enables organizations to deliver software faster, with fewer errors, and at a lower cost.

◉ Accelerated security vulnerability patching – DevOps can help organizations quickly fix security vulnerabilities by automating the process of patching software. This is critical in today’s business environment, where cyber attacks are becoming more common.

◉ Increasing the likelihood of overall business success – Studies have shown that businesses adopting DevOps practices are more likely to be successful than those not. This is because DevOps helps businesses achieve faster time to market, improve their bottom line, and respond quickly to market changes.

◉ Automation compatible with modern development – DevOps is built on a foundation of automation, which is essential for modern software development. Businesses can improve their efficiency and release software faster by automating code testing and deployments. (Atatus, 2021)

Grow Your Skills with EC-Council’s Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE)

If you’re not already on board with DevSecOps, now is the time to start adapting your business to this new way of thinking about software development and security. EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE) is a hands-on, instructor-led comprehensive DevSecOps certification program that helps professionals to build essential knowledge and abilities in designing, developing, and maintaining a secure application and infrastructure.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Redefining the ‘Shift-left’ Philosophy: DevOps to DevSecOps

Shifting left has become a popular buzzword in the DevOps and agile communities, but what does it mean? And how can you make the shift without sacrificing speed or quality? Here we’ll explore the origins of the shift-left philosophy and show you how to implement it in your organization. We’ll also introduce you to DevSecOps, a new approach that combines DevOps and security best practices to help you increase application security.

What Is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and information security (Sec) into a single, integrated lifecycle. DevSecOps aims to deliver secure software faster and more efficiently by automating security controls and integrating them into the software development process. (Red Hat, 2022)

What Is Shift Left Security?

Shift-left in the software development life cycle (SDLC) refers to the practice of moving certain activities, such as testing and quality assurance, to earlier stages in the development process. This approach is also known as “left-shifting,” and it is designed to identify and resolve issues as early as possible in the development cycle, before they become more complex and costly to fix.

One of the challenges of DevSecOps is that it requires a culture shift within organizations. Development and operations teams need to work closely together, and security needs to be embedded into every stage of the software development process. Implementation can also be complex, as it requires changes to both people and processes.

There are many different tools and techniques that can be used to integrate from DevOps to DevSecOps. Some common tools include automation, configuration management, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), and containers.

The key to success with shifting DeSecOps to the left is to ensure that everyone involved in the software development process is aware of and invested in security best practices. One

way to do this is to create a “security champions” program, where individuals or teams are tasked with promoting a security culture within their organization.

Importance of DevSecOps in Today’s Fast-Moving World

Shifting security to the left means embedding security into every phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC), from design and development through testing and deployment. By doing so, organizations can identify and mitigate security risks early in the process, before they have a chance to cause problems.

In the past, developers would write code and then hand it over to the operations team to deploy. This process often resulted in delays as the operations team tried to understand the code and figure out how to deploy it. DevOps aims to solve this problem by bringing the two teams together and making them work more closely together. (IBM Developer, 2022)

◉ One of the key benefits of DevSecOps is that it helps to improve communication between developers and ops staff. Working more closely together allows them to identify problems and find solutions more quickly and easily. This partnership can help to speed up the software delivery process and make it more efficient.

◉ Another benefit of DevSecOps is that it helps to automate the software delivery process. This means that developers can focus on writing code, and ops staff can focus on deploying it. Doing so saves a lot of time and effort and helps improve the quality of the software delivered.

◉ It improves the overall quality of the software delivered. By automating the delivery process and working more closely together, developers and ops staff can quickly catch errors and potential problems. This can lead to fewer bugs in the final product and help ensure that the software is more reliable.

Why EC-Council’s Certified DevSecOps Engineer Certification Stands Out

The EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE) certification is geared toward IT professionals who want to pursue a career in DevSecOps and learn how to secure their organization’s development processes and code repositories. The curriculum combines a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge of DevSecOps in your on-premises and cloud-native (AWS and Azure) environment. A hands-on certification with 70% of the course dedicated to labs, the E|CDE equips you to design, develop, and maintain secure applications and infrastructure.

Source: eccouncil.org

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