11 Practical Tips for Delivering Security as Code in DevOps

Security as code is a hot term in software and security design, but many wonder what it actually means and how to adopt it within their organization.

As Daniel Cuthbert, Head of Security Research at Grupo Banco Santander, writes in “Calling Developers to Arms: The Revolution of Security as Code,” it is time to focus on defense rather than attack and make developers the heroes of security.

Jim Bird, CTO of BIDS Trading Technologies, explains that security as code is about building security into DevOps tools and practices so that it becomes an integral part of the toolchain and workflow without adding unnecessary cost or delay.

The article then offers eleven tips to get started.

1. Understand What "Secure SDLC" Means

Learning about the Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) helps you assess how to embed security in a specific DevOps context; the biggest mistake is trying to implement security without understanding it.

The OWASP Secure SDLC checklist (still a draft) provides a good overview, illustrated by a diagram showing activities at each development stage.

2. Use SAMM to Assess Your Situation

The Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) is an open framework that helps organizations create and implement security strategies tailored to their specific risks, though some find it complex.

Before adopting SAMM, ask yourself questions about security and privacy requirements, threat modeling in each sprint, use of static analysis and code reviews, dynamic analysis and security testing, and plans for penetration testing or bug‑bounty programs.

If most answers are "no," your DevSecOps maturity is low.

3. Recognize Inherent Security Challenges in DevOps

Embedding security in DevOps is challenging; for example, the principle of least privilege can conflict with developers having production access, yet security‑as‑code aims to reconcile such tensions.

Security should not become a business obstacle, but a balance must be found between secure development and agile speed.

4. Implement Security as Code Early

Ideally, security is embedded automatically during agile sprints, though achieving this perfectly is difficult.

Automation of security checks throughout the pipeline and consistent team adherence are essential.

5. Conduct Early Threat Modeling

Plan threat‑modeling sessions at least a day before a sprint starts, turning all potential issues into security stories.

6. Define Security Requirements Early

Define security requirements at sprint kickoff, using OWASP ASVS 2.0 as guidance.

Create security stories and add them to the sprint backlog.

During sprint planning, estimate effort for implementing and testing these stories, referencing the OWASP Testing Guide.

Apply OWASP proactive controls during development, making them routine tasks each sprint.

7. Use SAST/DAST Tools

Integrate static and dynamic analysis tools (SAST/DAST) into the build process.

Review scan results each sprint and address false positives after cleanup tasks.

If code changes heavily, reconsider SAST usage to avoid excessive false positives.

If paid tools are unaffordable, consider open‑source alternatives such as OWASP Dependency‑Check.

8. Perform Code Reviews Whenever Possible

Make code reviews a sprint activity; any issues found become bugs to be fixed before sprint completion.

9. Measure Risk and Prioritize

The product owner—or the designated decision‑maker—should have sufficient security background to understand issues and prioritize the most critical ones.

10. Prepare a Secure Code Backbone

All environment changes (QA/UAT/PROD) should be performed via code, stored in version control, and tracked through peer review, using any popular build, source, and deployment tools.

The DevOps pipeline should focus on automating continuous delivery while embedding security activities such as configuration‑as‑code, automated builds, container security checks, and integrating SAST findings back into the sprint.

11. Regularly Assess, Refine, and Repeat

Hold regular SAMM assessment meetings to gauge the completeness of your security implementation and create short‑term tasks to improve it; incremental progress is key.

Left‑Shift Helps You Stay Ahead

Organizations that shift security left discover defects more efficiently and at lower cost than those that wait until after deployment.

Rapid delivery pressure makes secure design harder, but DevSecOps teams must verify security requirements quickly; security as code can automate deployment, making the process easier and faster.

Share your best practices for treating security as code in the comments.