With the increasing migration to the cloud, ensuring the security of cloud-native applications has become an imperative for businesses of all scales. Powered by microservices and DevSecOps, the new wave of cloud-native applications are shaping the digital transformation narrative. This article aims to deep dive into how the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) can be utilized to ensure security and negate potential threats.
Understanding the Basics: The Agile SDLC Paradigm
The agile SDLC paradigm, called DevSecOps, lays the foundation of cloud-native applications. It is characterized by an operational perspective where microservices are continuously developed, tested, integrated, and deployed through flow processes. These processes, infamously known as Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, are inherent to the DevSecOps model.
The Software Supply Chain (SSC)
The entire SDLC works like a supply chain, where each function contributes to the overall development and deployment of the application. This is what we call the Software Supply Chain (SSC). The collection of activities within the SSC significantly contributes to the security of the software being developed.
Indispensable Role of Security
In recent years, unfettered cyber-attacks have carved a new narrative – software security through the SSC. It’s evident that threats don’t just emerge from attack vectors but also from loopholes within the software development process. Such even includes defects introduced when due diligence is overlooked. As a result, both private and public sectors are turning their focus toward the SSC.
Government Initiatives and Frameworks
To enhance SSC’s security, initiatives and frameworks like Executive Order (EO) 14028, NIST’s Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF), and numerous others have been put in place. These measures provide a roadmap for secure software development, emphasizing embedding these practices within the SDLC using CI/CD pipelines.
Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
Implementing SSC security cannot be an afterthought. Incorporating security measures into the CI/CD pipelines helps address identified vulnerabilities early on, reducing potential risks in cloud-native applications. The approach not only fortifies developed software against emerging threats but also fortifies the entire development and deployment process.
Wrapping It Up
In an era marked by digital disruption, secure software development has surmounted to a necessity rather than an option. Adopting security measures within the SSC and embedding them within CI/CD pipelines can prepare organizations to sail smoothly on the cloud’s waves.
Tags: #CI/CDPipeline, #DevSecOps, #SoftwareSupplyChain, #CloudNativeApplication