What Is DevSecOps: Definition, Certifications, and Careers

Key takeaways

DevSecOps integrates security into operational and development processes, addressing the growing cybersecurity threats in the corporate landscape.

• As a DevSecOps professional, you’ll provide security during the software development process by automating scans, verifying code, and developing security protocols.

• Popular job titles in the broad DevSecOps field include DevSecOps engineer, DevSecOps architect, and cloud security engineer.

• You can prepare for a career in DevSecOps by working in software development, earning a degree, and staying up-to-date on security trends.

Learn more about a career in DevSecOps, including job duties, potential career paths, required skills, and certification options. If you’re ready to start building your skills, consider enrolling in the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to develop a DevOps mindset, employ automation tools, and create applications in as little as six months. By the end, you’ll have earned a career credential to showcase on your resume.

What does DevSecOps stand for? 

DevSecOps combines information security best practices with the ability to integrate and deploy software changes continuously. The combination of DevOps and security (Sec) can improve software reliability, security, and quality. DevSecOps is an approach to development that grew out of DevOps. Rather than considering security in late development and post-development phases, DevSecOps makes security integral to development activities throughout the development lifecycle.

Is DevSecOps cybersecurity?

DevSecOps brings cybersecurity into the DevOps process. Although the two terms refer to different things, DevSecOps adds cybersecurity into the development process from the beginning of a project. This allows you to correct security issues in the software prior to deployment, which can save you time and money. 

What does a DevSecOps professional do?

A DevSecOps professional is responsible for the security of the software development process, including automating scans, verifying code, and developing security protocols. In this role, you’ll work with operations staff and developers to ensure that teams design security into the software from the start and that the software environment is secure and monitored continuously.

How do you start a career in DevSecOps?

Experience is highly prized when employers are looking at DevSecOps job applicants. You’ll find different routes to working in this function. You can take various jobs to help you prepare for a DevSecOps role. The important thing is to get some valuable experience before moving into the pressure of a security-focused role. 

For example, working as a software developer can help you build experience with coding and developing applications. This job can give you experience in the development (Dev) side of the role. Working in operations or a security role will provide you with experience with the business tools, systems, and processes used to manage and secure software applications.

Should you opt to pursue a college degree, research which major would be most beneficial for your career goals. Depending on the roles you’re targeting, you might choose a degree that focuses on cybersecurity or a degree that is more software-development-focused.

Attending conferences and workshops can demonstrate that you're keeping up with the latest security trends. Additionally, you can enhance your resume by taking courses and certifications. 

You'll want to make your resume as appealing as possible to potential employers. 

Certification options for DevSecOps engineers

One way to enhance your DevSecOps career prospects is to earn a certification in DevOps from a reputable institution. A certification can help you demonstrate the specific skills and knowledge employers value. 

Here are some certifications to consider.

• DevSecOps Foundation

• DevSecOps Practitioner

• EXIN DevSecOps Manager

• GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA)

• Certified DevSecOps Engineer (CDSOE)

• Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP)

• EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE)

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• Offsec Defense Analyst (OSDA)

You’ll also find many online courses that can help you learn the basics of DevOps. Many employers will look primarily at your experience and skill set rather than your degree. However, most DevSecOps professionals have a computer science or cybersecurity-related bachelor's degree. 

Types of jobs in DevSecOps

You’ll find many types of jobs in which you can build a career in DevSecOps. For example, you could become a developer, a tester, an operations engineer, or a security analyst. Here are some roles advertised in DevSecOps environments and their median total pay. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

• DevSecOps engineer: $180,000 [2]

• Cloud security engineer: $165,000 [3]

• Cloud and DevSecOps architect: $229,000 [4]

• Senior DevSecOps engineer: $217,000 [5]

• DevSecOps lead: $203,000 [6]

DevSecOps tools and skills

When you work in DevSecOps, you'll bring security to the heart of software development and deployment. You'll need an understanding of the organization’s development and operational side and will have programming and infrastructure knowledge to ensure that security becomes a vital part of the software lifecycle. To get a DevSecOps job, you'll need to demonstrate both technical and workplace competencies that map to your target role.

Technical skills

You must quickly adapt and learn new technologies in the ever-changing business and technology landscape. Having the capacity to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues quickly is critical in this role. Here are some of the top DevSecOps skills you'll see in job advertisements.

• Understanding of code development and scripting languages like Java, C++, XML, and JSON

• Familiarity with automation tools like Puppet, Chef, and Ansible

• Experience with cloud technologies for cloud DevSecOps

• Working knowledge of security concepts and tools like firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and encryption

• Configuration management expertise

• Familiarity with basic Linux commands

• Keen understanding of networking concepts

• Cloud computing

• Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD)

• Coding skills in at least one common scripting language, such as Python or Ruby

• Ability to use a text editor, such as Vim or Emacs

• Familiarity with basic Linux commands

• Ability to use a terminal emulator, such as PuTTY or iTerm2

Read more: What Is Cloud Computing? 15 FAQs for Beginners

Workplace skills

It's also crucial that you have strong workplace skills. The following skills can help you be more successful in your DevSecOps career and help you positively impact your organization. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks

• Knowledge of top-level cybersecurity subjects and issues

• Ability to research threats and draw up logical conclusions through well-thought-out, unbiased processes

• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems

• Ability to learn new technologies quickly

• Ability to bring together data from diverse sources and articulate it into simple and concise information 

What is the future of DevSecOps?

With the ever-growing need for speed and agility, organizations are turning to DevSecOps to help deliver software with greater security and get it to the market faster. By automating security controls, integrating them into the software development process, and taking a more strategic approach to security, companies can mitigate the increasing risk posed by cyber threats.

More companies understand and seek the benefits of integrating security into their DevOps processes. The industry has an impressive predicted growth rate of 29 percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [7].

Discover free resources to enhance your career 

Stay up-to-date on cybersecurity and other industry trends by subscribing to Career Chat, our LinkedIn newsletter. Then, check out these resources for even more career guidance:

• Bookmark this page: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms and Definitions 

• Read an insider story: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career

• Watch on YouTube: Why Cybersecurity Professionals Need to Understand AI

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