10 Skills DevSecOps Engineers Must Master in 2024

As per the ReportLinker report, the DevSecOps market is anticipated to expand at a 27.7% CAGR between 2022 and 2030, with an estimated market size exceeding USD 40.6 billion by 2030. This surge is primarily driven by the growing emphasis on security in software development and IT operations.

Skills DevSecOps Engineers Must Master

In the modern age of advanced technology, the need for DevSecOps Engineers is surging significantly. As businesses seek to expedite their development procedures without compromising stringent security measures, these experts bridge the gaps between software development, security protocols, and operational efficiency. This article aims to delve into the most essential skill sets for DevSecOps Engineers in 2024, enabling them to remain at the forefront of their field.

DevSecOps Engineer Skills

Here are the top 10 in-demand DevSecOps Engineer skills:

1. Develop Secure Applications

DevSecOps Engineers must have a comprehensive understanding of secure coding techniques and software development methodologies. They must understand prevalent vulnerabilities and threats, implement secure coding strategies and design structures, regularly assess security, and embed security practices like threat modeling and code analysis at early development stages. By infusing security checks and countermeasures into the early phases of development, they can fortify applications against vulnerabilities and enhance their resilience to security threats.

2. Speed Up Software Delivery

In today’s swiftly evolving tech realm, speeding up the shift from development to deployment stands as a crucial necessity. DevSecOps Engineers must emphasize both rapidity and security in refining their development procedures for this purpose. This involves optimizing workflows, leveraging automation tools, and implementing robust Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and minimizing manual intervention to streamline the software development cycle. By seamlessly integrating security protocols and automating repetitive tasks, they can accelerate development while upholding top-tier security standards.

3. SDLC Knowledge

DevSecOps Engineers must have a profound understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to integrate security into software development seamlessly. This involves comprehending the sequential phases of software development—such as planning, blueprinting, programming, testing, and deployment, and implementing security protocols at every step. This proactive approach ensures swift identification and resolution of potential weaknesses, ultimately fortifying software deployment.

4. Embed Security within DevOps Practices

Integrating security into DevOps practices is crucial for a comprehensive SDLC, rather than treating it as a standalone or final stage. DevSecOps Engineers should work closely with development and operations teams to embed security controls and protocols throughout the software delivery pipeline. This involves adopting a ‘Security as Code’ approach, where security configurations and policies are treated as code and integrated directly into the development pipeline. Further, conducting security tests, analyzing code for potential vulnerabilities, and performing vulnerability assessments at every stage can help foster a culture of shared security responsibility.

5. Cloud Security Proficiency

The modern technological framework heavily relies on cloud services. To adapt to the ever-changing realm of cloud security, DevSecOps Engineers need ongoing enhancement of their expertise and hands-on involvement in this field. Specifically, they should concentrate on well-known cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These professionals must be proficient in configuring and managing security protocols, managing Identity and Access Management (IAM), and establishing robust and secure cloud architectures.

6. Rapid Response and Remediation of Vulnerabilities and Issue

In the intricate realm of security today, it is crucial for DevSecOps Engineers to rapidly detect, prioritize, and remediate potential vulnerabilities and risks. To accomplish this, they must use diverse methods like automated patch management, utilizing threat intelligence, enforcing real-time monitoring solutions, and devising efficient plans such as incident response plans for handling incidents to reduce the fallout from security breaches.

7. Adopt Advanced Automation in Development

DevSecOps Engineers must possess proficiency in implementing and handling advanced automation tools across the software development cycle. They should have extensive knowledge of tools and frameworks that enable automated security tests, code analysis, and compliance monitoring. Leveraging technologies like static code analyzers, DAST systems, and container security solutions allows developers to smoothly embed robust security protocols from the initial stages of development, ensuring heightened application security.

8. Minimize Software Development Expenses

Enforcing strong security protocols throughout the software development process can lead to substantial cost savings over time. By proactively detecting and resolving potential vulnerabilities, DevSecOps Engineers can prevent the substantial expenses incurred from security breaches, including the costs of rectifying post-release fixes and regulatory penalties. Streamlining processes through automation, optimized cloud resource usage, and a strategic combination of internal expertise and open-source solutions can help reduce overall costs and improve operational efficiency.

9. Establish Consistent, Adaptable Processes

To achieve enduring success and productivity, DevSecOps Engineers must establish agile processes that quickly adapt to evolving technologies, methodologies, compliance standards, or business requirements. By utilizing tools such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC), version control systems, and automation platforms, these teams can create reliable, repeatable environments and workflows consistent across diverse projects and contexts.

10. Container Security Knowledge

DevSecOps Engineers must have a foundational knowledge of container security fundamentals, including Docker and Kubernetes. This expertise enables them to secure containerized and runtime environments, a crucial aspect of maintaining robust security measures within the DevOps pipeline.

To gain further insights, consider watching our video titled “What are the DevSecOps Practices for Security?”

In summary, DevSecOps in 2024 goes beyond merely integrating development, security, and operations functions. It involves fostering an environment where these disciplines converge effortlessly to elevate the quality, security, and productivity of software development processes. This requires not only technical proficiency but also strategic planning, process enhancement, and robust cooperation with a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement.

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How can InfosecTrain Help?

Pursuing InfosecTrain‘s Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE) certification training program can be a valuable step towards becoming a proficient DevSecOps Engineer. Our certification program is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and best practices required to integrate security into the DevOps pipeline effectively. Our course provides a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of DevSecOps, including secure coding practices, vulnerability management, automation tools, compliance, and more. We offer hands-on labs, case studies, and practical exercises that allow participants to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, enabling them to gain valuable skills directly applicable to their work environments.

AUTHOR
Ruchi Bisht

“ My Name is Ruchi Bisht. I have done my BTech in Computer Science. I like to learn new things and am interested in taking on new challenges. Currently, I am working as a content writer in InfosecTrain. “