Demand for DevSecOps talent and skills is growing even faster than the demand for DevOps.
The global DevSecOps market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 32.2% over the next few years, and revenue is projected to grow from USD $2.55 billion in 2020 to USD $23.42 billion in 2028. No wonder the number of job postings for DevSecOps is rising.
Many organizations are implementing DevSecOps in their workflows. Some famous names include Netflix, Etsy, Twitter, Facebook and Google. Those who are already well-versed in DevOps and who have a security background will have an advantage over others in this field when looking to get hired.
However, it is not just about the tools and technologies—there is a lot more to DevSecOps than that. It is also about culture and new ways of working; about automating the security process and making security a part of the continuous delivery pipeline.
What is DevSecOps? What’s inspiring top business leaders to invest in this domain? And how will acquiring these skills help you in your career?
What is DevSecOps?
DevSecOps is a set of practices that combines the speed and agility of DevOps with security controls. It aims to help organizations deliver software faster while ensuring that the applications are secure. The term ‘DevSecOps’ was first coined by John Willis and Damon Edwards in 2009. They defined it as:
“DevSecOps is the practice of operations and development engineers participating together in the entire service life cycle, from design through the development process to production support.”
Later, Gartner offered the following definition of DevSecOps:
“DevSecOps is the dynamic software development approach that incorporates security as a critical element of the application delivery process from design to production.”
In simple terms, DevSecOps can be defined as a culture and set of processes that help organizations to deliver secure software faster. As the demand for DevSecOps professionals rises, it is an excellent time for software engineers, developers and DevOps professionals to consider a career in this domain. Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider a career in DevSecOps:
1. It is a rapidly growing field
The DevSecOps market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 32.2% between 2020 and 2028. This rapid growth is creating a lot of job opportunities for DevSecOps professionals.
2. It is an interdisciplinary field
DevSecOps is not just about the tools and technologies. It is an interdisciplinary field that requires skills in development, operations, and security.
3. High-paying roles
According to a recent survey, the average salary of a DevSecOps professional is $123,000 per year or higher; much higher than the average salary in other fields.
4. Work with the latest technologies
DevSecOps is all about automating the software delivery process. It requires a deep understanding of the latest DevOps tools and technologies as well as automation, AI and machine learning.
5. Stay ahead of the latest trends
As a DevSecOps professional, you need to be on the cutting edge of the latest trends in the industry. A role such as this helps you keep your skills up-to-date and stay ahead of the curve.
Why the Major Investment?
The following factors are inspiring top business leaders to invest in DevSecOps:
1. The need for speed
In today’s fast-paced world, businesses have to deliver software faster. DevSecOps helps organizations speed up the software delivery process while ensuring that the applications are secure.
2. The need for agility
DevSecOps enables organizations to be more agile and adapt to ever-changing market trends. The ability to quickly deliver software helps organizations stay ahead of their competition and do so while reducing the risk of data breaches, cyberattacks and malware.
3. The need for security
As cyberattacks continue to rise, businesses are investing in DevSecOps to ensure that their applications are secure. DevSecOps helps organizations detect and fix security vulnerabilities earlier in the software development process when they are easier and less costly to fix.
In 2021, there were around 414,02,809 cybersecurity incidents worldwide and that number will likely increase. With the help of DevSecOps, businesses can protect their applications from attacks.
4. The need for compliance
With the help of DevSecOps, businesses can automate the compliance process. It helps save time and resources otherwise spent on manual compliance processes.
5. The need for cost savings
DevSecOps helps organizations save money by automating the software delivery process. Automation helps reduce the need for manual labor, which can help cut costs.
Professional Skills and Requirements
Like any other field, DevSecOps also has its own set of requirements and skills you need to know to be successful. While many are specific to technology and tools, others are more general soft skills.
1. The need for cross-functional skills
Since DevSecOps is an interdisciplinary field, professionals in this role need to understand both development and operations. They also have to be familiar with the latest tools and technologies in software development, IT operations, security, CI/CD, containers and more.
2. The need for collaboration
DevSecOps is all about collaboration between different areas of the business and different teams. Professionals need to be able to work closely with other team members.
3. The need for continuous learning
As the DevOps and security fields are constantly changing, professionals need to constantly update their skills and be familiar with the latest trends in the industry.
4. The need for patience
The software delivery process is often slow and complex. It can be frustrating for professionals who are used to working in a fast-paced environment.
5. The need for adaptability
As the DevOps and security fields are constantly changing, professionals need to be adaptable. They should be able to learn new tools and technologies quickly and know how to apply that knowledge to solving technology problems.
Getting Started
If you want to become a DevSecOps professional, you need to understand both software development and operations. You also should be familiar with the latest tools and technologies. You can read other professionals’ blogs, take formal courses or attend a coding bootcamp, take courses at a community college or university or teach yourself. You should attend conferences and talk with other technology professionals to share knowledge. In addition, you need to work on your soft skills, including communication, collaboration, teamwork and leadership.