Introduction:
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, security has become a paramount concern for organizations worldwide. DevSecOps, an amalgamation of Development, Security, and Operations, strives to integrate security seamlessly into the software development lifecycle. However, achieving this integration requires more than just implementing tools, it necessitates a cultural shift. In this blog, we delve into strategies for building a robust DevSecOps culture with a focus on collaboration.
Understanding DevSecOps Culture
Before delving into collaboration strategies, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes a DevSecOps culture. At its core, DevSecOps embodies a mindset where security is not an isolated concern handled by a separate team but is integrated into every aspect of development and operations. It promotes collaboration, communication, and a shared responsibility for security across the organization.
Security Professionals in the Innovation Adoption Lifecycle
Collaboration Strategies in DevSecOps
1. Phishing Campaigns and Training
One of the most effective ways to instill a security mindset is through simulated phishing campaigns. These campaigns involve sending fake phishing emails to employees, testing their ability to identify and respond appropriately. Regular phishing exercises serve as a powerful training tool, enhancing employees’ skills in recognizing and reporting suspicious emails. As phishing remains a top cybersecurity attack vector, this strategy significantly contributes to building a security-aware culture.
Continuous training is another vital aspect. Recognizing that social engineering is a common path to breaches, organizations must invest in ongoing education. Develop a comprehensive training program tailored to employees’ roles, making it clear that training is not a one-time activity. Embrace a culture of learning where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than grounds for punishment.
Cross-training is an additional strategy that can significantly benefit a DevSecOps culture. Encouraging employees to gain knowledge outside their domains builds a well-rounded team and fosters collaboration. It provides insights into others’ work, promoting empathy and opening avenues for cross-team collaboration.
2. Building Cybersecurity into the Culture
At Wiley, the commitment to cybersecurity is exemplified by dedicating an entire month, October, to Cybersecurity Awareness and Education. This month includes various activities like capture the flag events, red team/blue team exercises, training, trivia competitions, and even a Halloween dress-up-as-your-favorite-vulnerability-or-exploit competition. This demonstrates how embedding cybersecurity learning into the culture can be engaging and effective.
Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is a fundamental principle. Punishing mistakes fosters a culture of fear and inhibits innovation. Mistakes should be viewed as indicators of pushing technological boundaries, and organizations must reward innovation rather than penalizing mistakes.
3. Incident Postmortems
Incidents present unique opportunities for building a learning culture. Conducting thorough incident postmortems goes beyond identifying root causes and implementing fixes. It involves understanding each person’s perspective involved, building empathy, and using the insights to identify improvement opportunities. The focus should be on learning and growing as an organization, emphasizing that mistakes are systemic and not solely individual errors.
Security Training Programs
Comprehensive security training programs are pivotal in cultivating a DevSecOps culture. Tailor these programs to the organization’s size, complexity, industry, and compliance requirements. Include new-hire training, annual compliance training, and ongoing knowledge testing such as phishing tests. Recognize the diverse training needs of different stakeholders, providing specialized training for executives and security professionals.
Integrated Phishing Tests
Regular phishing tests, integrated into training programs, help reinforce security awareness. At Wiley, phishing campaigns are conducted every few weeks, providing immediate feedback and training to those who click on links. Positive reinforcement is given to those who identify and report phishing emails correctly. Leveraging global data from these tests helps identify regions or teams that may need additional support, ensuring a constant awareness of email security threats.
Organizing for DevSecOps
Effective collaboration in DevSecOps requires thoughtful organizational structures. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, lessons from DevOps can guide the way. Siloed specialty groups, particularly in security, hinder collaboration. The concept of site reliability engineering (SRE) and embedded security engineers within application teams can effectively break down silos and promote collaboration.
DevOps Orientation for Smaller Companies
Smaller companies often inadvertently embody DevOps principles due to the necessity of having self-contained tech teams. However, as companies scale, the challenge is to prevent the emergence of silos and maintain a collaborative DevSecOps culture.
Building a DevSecOps Culture
1. Security Champions
Establishing a security champions program empowers individuals within teams to become security advocates. These champions bridge the gap between security teams and application teams, promoting security best practices. Voluntary participation encourages a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Security champions serve as points of contact for security-related queries within their teams, fostering improved collaboration.
2. Internal Bug Bounties
Internal bug bounty programs incentivize employees to identify security vulnerabilities in existing products. Recognizing and rewarding these contributions, whether through recognition or monetary compensation, builds a security-aware culture. Bug bounty programs not only enhance security but also encourage employees to deepen their understanding of potential exploit avenues.
3. Evolution of the Employee: T-Shaped People
The concept of T-shaped employees, individuals with both breadth and depth of knowledge, is particularly relevant in DevSecOps. Beyond expertise in their specific domains, employees must understand the broader technical environment, including infrastructure and security requirements. DevSecOps requires individuals to be responsible for security and operations, emphasizing the need for T-shaped skills.
Hiring for DevSecOps
In the competitive job market for DevSecOps engineers, hiring goes beyond technical skills. Identifying individuals with collaboration skills is crucial. Characteristics such as creative problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and curiosity should be prioritized. The interview process should focus on assessing practical teamwork skills and problem-solving abilities, and role-playing scenarios can provide insights into interpersonal skills.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Building a diverse DevSecOps team brings measurable benefits. Diverse teams enhance innovation and problem-solving, leading to better outcomes. However, diversity doesn’t happen by chance; it requires intentional efforts in outreach, eliminating biases in the hiring process, and fostering an inclusive workplace environment.
Conclusion
Building a DevSecOps culture is not just about implementing tools; it’s about fostering a mindset where security is an integral part of every process. Collaboration is the cornerstone of DevSecOps, and strategies ranging from phishing campaigns and training to security champions and bug bounties contribute to this collaborative culture. By integrating security into daily activities, breaking down silos, and prioritizing collaboration, organizations can develop a culture that thrives securely in today’s dynamic business landscape. Trust, empowerment, and transparency are the pillars of a learning culture, and these principles, when applied to DevSecOps, pave the way for a secure and innovative future.
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