What are the best practices for balancing security and speed in continuous delivery?

1 Automate security testing

One of the key benefits of CD is automation, which reduces manual errors, increases efficiency, and enables faster feedback. Automation also applies to security testing, which should be integrated into the CD pipeline as early as possible. By automating security testing, you can identify and fix vulnerabilities before they reach production, and ensure that your code meets the security standards and policies. You can use tools like static analysis, dynamic analysis, and penetration testing to automate security testing at different stages of the CD pipeline.

2 Implement DevSecOps culture

DevSecOps is a culture that emphasizes collaboration and shared responsibility for security among developers, operations, and security teams. To embed security into every aspect of the software development lifecycle, from planning to deployment, DevSecOps should be implemented. This will foster a security mindset among all stakeholders and ensure that security is not an afterthought or a bottleneck in CD. To do so, practices such as communicating and aligning security goals across teams, providing security training and awareness for developers and operations, establishing security champions and advocates within teams, leveraging security tools and automation to support CD, and incorporating security feedback and metrics into CD should be followed.

4 Adopt a shift-left approach

A shift-left approach involves moving security activities to the left of the CD pipeline, or as early as possible in the development process. This technique reduces the cost and complexity of fixing security issues later in the pipeline, and improves the quality and speed of code delivery. To achieve this, you should define and enforce security requirements and standards from the start, perform security reviews and audits at every stage, integrate security testing and scanning into the code review process, apply security patches and updates promptly, and use feedback loops and continuous improvement to enhance security.

5 Balance risk and value

Balancing security and speed in CD requires careful consideration of risk and value. Assessing the risk and value of each code change is essential, as is prioritizing those that deliver the most value to users and the business, while minimizing the security risks. It is important to consider the trade-offs and implications of security decisions, and communicate them clearly to stakeholders. To ensure a secure and fast CD process, it is necessary to define and measure the security and business outcomes of code changes, evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of security threats and incidents, align security controls with risk appetite and tolerance, balance speed with quality, and adjust strategy based on feedback and data. Balancing security and speed in CD is a continuous and collaborative effort that requires dedication in order to deliver better software to users.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?