5 Methods to Integrate Security Using DevSecOps Tools
There are a variety of methods an enterprise can use to secure workloads, but fundamentally, integration of security throughout the development cycle is the most robust. Below, we’ll look at 5 methods enterprises can use to integrate security using modern DevSecOps tools and techniques in general. Then, we’ll look at a platform that enables these methods at scale.
Method 1: Make static code analysis part of the CI\CD pipeline
Static application security testing (SAST) is an excellent mechanism for automating white-box security scans. SAST is a “white-box” DevSecOps tool because it analyzes plaintext source code as opposed to running scans compiled binaries. After analyzing the source code, SAST tools will compare the results to a predetermined set of policies to determine if there are any matches for known security issues. This process is sometimes called static code analysis.
Examples of vulnerabilities SAST tooling can easily detect in source code include:
- SQL injections
- XSS vulnerabilities
- Buffer overflows
- Integer overflows
Because they analyze source code, these tools are great for identifying common vulnerabilities early in the CI\CD pipeline before code ever gets close to reaching production. Additionally, because SAST deals with plaintext source code, they enable enterprises to detect vulnerabilities before code is built and perform security testing on applications well before they’re complete.
Method 2: Run automatic black-box vulnerability scans against every environment
SAST apps can be powerful tools for DevSecOps, but there are many vulnerabilities a SAST solution simply cannot detect. For example, SAST tools never actually execute code. As a result, they cannot detect issues such as misconfigurations or other vulnerabilities that only expose themselves during runtime. Dynamic security application testing (DAST) tools can help fill this gap.
DevOps teams can perform automated “black-box” security scans against compiled — and running — code with a DAST tool. A DAST solution will use known exploits and malicious inputs in a process known as “fuzzing” to scan applications. The DAST tool will analyze responses to detect vulnerabilities or other undesirable reactions (e.g. crashing) as the scan runs.
The benefit of running these tests is that enterprises can detect vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that can only be uncovered during runtime. By integrating a DAST scanner into their CI\CD pipelines, enterprises can automatically detect security issues across development, QA, staging, and production environments
Method 3: Use IAST tools to streamline security scanning
Interactive application security testing (IAST) combines SAST and DAST into a single security testing solution. For enterprises that wish to remove as much friction as possible and seamlessly integrate security into every aspect of their CI\CD pipeline, using an IAST tool to achieve the functions of DAST and SAST often makes the most sense.
Additionally, by combining the functions of SAST and DAST into a single holistic DevSecOps tool, IAST platforms not only streamline security scanning but also enable visibility and insights that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
For example, with an IAST platform, enterprises can automatically simulate advanced attacks with a dynamic scan, adjust the exploit based on application, and if an issue is detected, use code instrumentation to alert DevSecOps teams to specific lines of problematic source code.
Method 4: Leverage SCA tools to detect issues with frameworks and dependencies automatically
Applications developed in 2021 aren’t written from scratch. They use a wide range of open-source libraries and may have a complex chain of dependencies. Therefore, DevSecOps tools in 2021 must be able to detect security vulnerabilities in these dependencies. Integrating a source composition analysis (SCA) tool can help address this challenge.
With an SCA integrated into their DevSecOps pipeline, enterprises can detect potential vulnerabilities and issues with components of their applications rapidly and reliably.
Method 5: Perform automatic end-to-end scanning of containers
Containerized workloads, microservices, and Kubernetes (K8s) are the norm for modern applications, DevSecOps tools optimized to work with them are a must. At a minimum, enterprises should integrate tooling that automates these functions across their pipelines:
- Image assurance. Ensures that only secure and authorized container images are deployed.
- Intrusion detection. Detects malicious behavior using data such as account activity, operations in K8s clusters, and network traffic flow.
- Runtime protection. Actively detects and blocks potential threats in real-time across the container lifecycle.
Additionally, automating enforcement of zero-trust policies and using observability tools that manage logs and security alerts can improve overall enterprise security posture.
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