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Secure DevOps & Secure Operations: Shifting Left
Turning the Software Development Lifecycle into Secure Software Development.
The Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC) fundamentally changes the traditional Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) by moving security from a late-stage add-on to an integrated and proactive component embedded in every phase of development.
This change is commonly known as the "Shift-Left" approach in security.
If the traditional SDLC is like inspecting a car for safety defects only after it has been fully built and painted, the SSDLC is like integrating safety checks (like ensuring strong welds and secure parts) directly into every step of the assembly line, making the product safer from the ground up.
The Core Shift: From Reactive to Proactive Security
The most significant difference lies in when security is addressed:
| Aspect | Traditional SDLC | Secure SDLC (SSDLC) |
|---|---|---|
| Security Focus | Usually addressed later; often treated as an afterthought or add-on. | Embedded from the planning stage. Security goals guide development from the earliest phases. |
| Approach | Reactive; security issues are detected after the fact. Security may not be in any part of the traditional diagram. | Proactive; security is integrated throughout the entire development process. |
| Cost of Fixing Issues | Higher; changing a critical vulnerability is difficult if several months have passed since the early stages began. It can cost up to 100 times more to fix an issue discovered late. | Lower due to early detection and efficient remediation. |
The SSDLC framework is designed to ensure that security is adequately considered and built into each phase of the system development lifecycle.
Changes Across the SDLC Phases
While the SDLC phases (Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, Maintenance) remain similar, the SSDLC incorporates specific security assessments and considerations into each stage:
1. Requirements/Planning Phase
In the traditional SDLC, this phase defines the scope, objectives, and core requirements of the project.
- SSDLC Change: Security is made part of the "why" and the "what". The SSDLC requires defining explicit security goals and requirements from the onset, aligning them with brand objectives and compliance needs. This includes identifying potential risks and translating them into requirements. Adequate time and budget must be factored in for security testing.
2. Design Phase
In the traditional SDLC, the team designs the architecture.
- SSDLC Change: This is a crucial phase for security, where decisions shape how security will function. The SSDLC mandates assessing potential security risks and ensuring the design mitigates them. Techniques like Threat Modeling (often using frameworks like STRIDE or PASTA) are applied to identify weak areas, visualize the application’s attack surface, spot potential attack vectors, and define trust boundaries.
3. Implementation/Development Phase
In the traditional SDLC, this is where code is written.
- SSDLC Change: Developers focus on applying secure coding practices. Tools such as Static Application Security Testing (SAST) are included in the code review process to find vulnerabilities inherent in source code before execution. Developers must also check open-source libraries for vulnerabilities using tools like Software Composition Analysis (SCA).
4. Testing/Verification Phase
In the traditional SDLC, QA tests and integrates everything.
- SSDLC Change: Security testing is integrated rather than being a separate, late activity. This phase includes running tests in build and production environments to catch issues that emerge during execution. Tools like Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) are used to assess risks stemming from runtime issues. Penetration testing (pentesting) is also conducted to simulate attacks and provide a comprehensive view of vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective. Security tests are based on the security requirements defined earlier in the process.
5. Maintenance Phase
In the traditional SDLC, this phase involves bug fixes and continued evolution. - SSDLC Change: Security does not end at deployment. The SSDLC requires continuous monitoring and mitigation, including incident detection and response, patching of vulnerabilities, and updating components as threats evolve. Continuous monitoring should track security logs, events, user behavior, and threat intelligence.
Cultural and Organizational Impact
Beyond process changes, the SSDLC requires a cultural shift:
Shared Responsibility: SSDLC includes security in the scope of developer responsibilities, empowering them to take ownership of the overall quality and security of their applications. It encourages collaboration between development, operations, and security teams (DevSecOps).
Increased Coverage: By running frequent security tests early, the SSDLC maximizes the chances of discovering flaws before deploying insecure code into production. Different tests (SAST, SCA, DAST) reveal different risks, ensuring enhanced security coverage.
Compliance: Implementing an SSDLC helps organizations demonstrate to regulators and auditors that they prioritize security and have adequate controls in place, helping to meet compliance mandates.
The SSDLC makes sure security is baked in as part of the app’s quality—just like speed or reliability—so it’s handled all the way through development instead of being slapped on at the end as a quick fix.
back to more articlessecurity Attack Surface Auditing compliance Continuous Mitigation Continuous Monitoring Cost Savings DAST DevSecOps Dynamic Application Security Testing Early Detection GRC GRC Management Governance Risk & Compliance Management Mandatory Penetration Testing Proactive Security SAST SSDLC SecDevOps SecOps Secure Software Development Lifecycle Security Goals Security Requirements Shared Responsibility Shift-Left Static Application Security Testing Threat Modeling secure engineering security architecture 2024
