A Journey Through DevSecOps: How CloudifyOps Transformed a Customer’s Software Delivery Pipeline
Authored by Veera kannan M
At CloudifyOps, we were approached by a company grappling with some significant challenges in their software development and deployment processes. Although they were using GitLab to manage their code, everything was disorganized. They lacked a cohesive branching strategy and repository structure, which made it difficult to scale their operations as they grew. This messy setup also impacted their build and release processes–it was slow, manual, and full of human errors.
On top of that, sensitive information like database passwords was sometimes left exposed in their code, creating major security risks. They also had no system for managing software artifacts, meaning there was no easy way to track previous releases or roll back changes if something went wrong.
That’s where CloudifyOps came in, with a mission to bring structure, security, and automation to their software development lifecycle.
Cleaning Up the Codebase: Bringing Order to GitLab
First off, their source code management was all over the place. They had code everywhere but no system for organizing it. Without a solid branching strategy or a clear structure, it was like trying to navigate a maze. One wrong turn and boom—you’re lost in a sea of spaghetti code.
We knew that had to change. So, we introduced a module-specific repository structure. Each piece of their software got its own repository. This meant they could finally manage, build, test, and deploy individual components without juggling the entire codebase at once. It was like going from an overstuffed junk drawer to neatly labeled boxes.
Next up, we brought in a branching strategy. We gave each repository three branches: dev, qa, and release. This created a clear path for code to move from development, to quality assurance, and finally, to release. It also meant each stage had checkpoints—merge requests—that caught potential issues early. Instead of chaos, they now had a streamlined, predictable workflow, which made deploying code way easier and safer.
Let Jenkins Do the Heavy Lifting
Once the codebase was streamlined, the next critical challenge became clear: their build and release process was highly inefficient. Deployments were slow, cumbersome, and prone to errors, with developers manually overseeing each step to ensure accuracy. This lack of automation introduced unnecessary delays and increased the risk of mistakes, as the team repeatedly handled the same repetitive tasks—pushing code, managing dependencies, and resolving last-minute issues. Instead of focusing on high-value development work, their time and resources were being consumed by these manual processes. It was evident that a shift to automation was essential to improve efficiency and reduce operational overhead.
Our solution? Jenkins.
We built a multi-branch CI/CD pipeline. Now, every time a developer pushes code to dev, QA, or release, Jenkins automatically handles the build, test, and deploy. No more manual interventions, no more delays. It was all automated. It was like going from a bicycle to a self-driving car.
We didn’t stop there. We integrated SonarQube to make sure the code met quality standards. Jenkins also ran OWASP Dependency-Check for their Java apps to catch any vulnerabilities in third-party libraries. For their Dockerized apps, Trivy scanned containers to make sure there were no security flaws. And to make things even smoother, Jenkins sent real-time notifications to the team through Slack whenever something went wrong, so they could jump on issues immediately.
Finally, the team was no longer firefighting—they were cruising through releases without worrying about every little detail.
Securing Secrets: Vault to the Rescue
One of the most alarming issues we encountered when we first engaged with this client was the way they handled sensitive information. Critical data such as database credentials and API keys were hard-coded directly into their repositories, creating significant security vulnerabilities. If unauthorized individuals had gained access, the potential consequences could have been catastrophic for their system’s integrity and security.
That’s where HashiCorp Vault came in.
We set up Vault to securely store all their sensitive data. Instead of leaving secrets exposed, we organized them in Vault, aligning with their GitLab structure. Now, whenever Jenkins runs a build, it automatically pulls the correct secrets for the right environment, without any developer having to handle those sensitive credentials directly.
Not only did this make everything way more secure, but it also gave the team peace of mind. They no longer had to worry about accidentally leaking important information, and their software was far less vulnerable to attack.
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Managing Artifacts: Nexus to the Rescue
Artifact management was another area that needed serious improvement. They had no system to track build outputs, so when things went wrong, rolling back to a previous version was a real pain. Without proper artifact management, releases were like shooting in the dark.
We introduced Nexus Repository to act as their central artifact management tool. Now, every application artifact and Docker image was versioned and stored in Nexus. If something broke in production, they could easily trace it back to a specific version and roll back to fix it. Plus, we set up Nexus to automatically clean out old, unused artifacts, so they wouldn’t drown in old files.
Just like the other tools, Nexus was hooked right into Jenkins. Every time a pipeline ran, it stored the right artifacts in Nexus. No fuss, no hassle—just clean, organized artifact management.
Navigating the Infrastructure Complexity: A DevSecOps Challenge in Production
One of the major challenges we faced during this project was setting up the CI/CD pipeline in the production environment, which was far more complex than in the development and QA stages. The client’s infrastructure was divided into three distinct environments—one shared infrastructure for development, QA, and release, and two separate infrastructures for production. In production, one environment handled non-payment-related applications, while the other was designated for sensitive, payment-related applications. This separation was crucial for ensuring security and compliance.
Adding to the complexity, there were no internal network connections between these infrastructures. Specifically, the release environment had direct connections to both production infrastructures, which raised significant security and access control concerns. The client’s primary concern was ensuring that no internal access was granted between servers in different environments. Each environment needed to be isolated to ensure data security and maintain compliance, particularly for the payment-related infrastructure.
The CloudifyOps Solution
Given that all critical tools such as Jenkins, SonarQube, Nexus, Vault, and GitLab were situated in the shared development, QA, and release infrastructure, we needed a robust and secure approach to manage production deployments.
To address this, CloudifyOps designed a solution that involved setting up separate Jenkins and Vault instances for the two production environments. We implemented a Jenkins master-slave configuration, where the master and slaves were distributed strategically across the production environments:
For managing sensitive data, we set up two separate Vault instances—one for each production infrastructure. This allowed us to securely manage secrets independently across both environments, ensuring that the same application in different environments could handle sensitive information without cross-contamination.
Isolating Environments and Streamlining Artifact Management
One of the key concerns for the client was ensuring that each environment remained isolated, and that only necessary connections were allowed. To accommodate this, we restricted internal access and designed the system so that only the Jenkins slave servers could access the Nexus repository to pull artifacts for deployments. This access control was crucial for maintaining security across all environments while allowing Jenkins to function efficiently.
In the production environment, we implemented a parameterized Jenkins pipeline. This pipeline allowed the Jenkins slave servers to:
The parameterized pipeline was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing the team to specify critical details like which version of the application to deploy, the target client, and the specific server environment. If no version was specified, the pipeline would default to deploying the latest version of the application.
Additionally, the pipeline was designed to support rollbacks. In case of issues with a new deployment, the team could quickly roll back to a previously stable version by specifying the earlier version in the pipeline. This ensured minimal downtime and a streamlined recovery process.
The End Result - A DevSecOps Transformation
When we started, the client was stuck in a slow, manual, and error-prone workflow. Their software development and deployment process wasn’t just inefficient—it was risky. But after CloudifyOps overhauled their delivery pipeline, everything changed.
Code now flows smoothly through a structured, automated process. Repositories are organized, secrets are secure, and Jenkins takes care of all the heavy lifting, from builds to deployments, with security scans embedded at every stage. Nexus ensures their artifacts are neatly managed, versioned, and ready for any necessary rollbacks.
The transformation was profound. Developers were freed from repetitive manual tasks, allowing them to focus on innovation. Releases became routine, free from the delays and frustrations of the past. Most importantly, the client embraced a new DevSecOps culture—where automation, security, and efficiency are built into every part of the process.
Introducing this isolated, secure CI/CD setup, CloudifyOps was able to overcome the complexity of the client's multi-environment infrastructure, ensuring that the production environments remained secure and efficiently managed. Through careful segregation of sensitive environments and automated deployment processes, the client now enjoys a highly resilient, secure, and streamlined DevSecOps pipeline across all their environments.
For this client, the difference was night and day. And for us at CloudifyOps, it was another success story of how the right tools, strategies, and practices can completely transform a company’s software delivery pipeline.