DevSecOps engineers are professionals responsible for securing the software development process, including automating scans, verifying code, and developing security protocols. They work with operations staff and developers to ensure they design security into the software from the get-go. They also continuously monitor the software environment’s security.

Think of the engineers as the bridge between the DevSec and Operations teams in an organization. They ensure the teams work together to build security features into software as soon as its development starts.

Read More about a DevSecOps Engineer

You want to know more about what DevSecOps engineers do? Read on.

What Skills Should a DevSecOps Engineer Have?

DevSecOps engineers must have a mix of technical, security, and workplace skills.

They should, first and foremost, know how security factors affect every step of the development process and the end product. They should work and communicate well in a group. They must also earn the trust and cooperation of their teams, apart from having the IT security technical know-how. They must participate in and understand every step of a software project’s life cycle from conception to implementation and beyond. Meeting strict deadlines for essential tasks is a must for them as well.

They should be proficient in standard languages like PHP, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, and Python. They must also know how to use tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, Puppet, Chef, and Spinnaker. Some may also need to be familiar with cloud hosting providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

Finally, DevSecOps requires expertise in the latest threat modeling and risk assessment approaches. The engineers should also conduct regular code reviews, know the industry standards, and understand the latest cybersecurity threats. Why? They may be expected to choose and implement software that tests applications for vulnerabilities. They also need to educate end users on how to use application security options properly.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Becoming a DevSecOps Engineer ?

Most, if not all, DevSecOps engineers do not start out in DevSecOps. They, in fact, often begin working in IT. As such, they usually have a degree in computer science, cybersecurity, math, engineering, or science. After obtaining IT experience, they can obtain certifications, such as:

  • DevSecOps Foundation
  • DevSecOps Practitioner
  • EXIN DevSecOps Manager
  • GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA)
  • Certified DevSecOps Engineer (CDSOE)
  • Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP)
  • DevSecOps Engineering (DSOE) 
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Offensive Security Defense Analyst (OSDA)

What Are the Steps toward Becoming a DevSecOps Engineer ?

Want to work in DevSecOps? Follow these steps.

  1. Know the basics: You cannot integrate security into DevOps without knowing everything there is to know about DevOps.
  2. Get to know security: You cannot know how to protect against threats if you know nothing about security. Learn about risk management, threat modeling, and security architectures.
  3. Practice makes perfect: Practice using tools like static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), and container security solutions. You must integrate these solutions into continuous improvement/development (CI/CD) pipelines.
  4. Learn to automate: DevSecOps heavily relies on automation, so you must learn to use infrastructure-as-code (IaC) tools like Terraform or CloudFormation and infuse security into these scripts.
  5. Embrace lifelong learning: The cyber threat landscape is ever-evolving. So stay updated with the latest vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and mitigation techniques.
  6. It’s not all about tech: Collaboration is a huge part of DevSecOps. So, you should develop your communication, empathy, and teamwork skills.
  7. Get certified: Consider getting certifications to bolster your credentials.
  8. Be part of the community: Participate in forums, attend webinars, or join local meetups. Networking with peers and experts can provide insights and opportunities you may not otherwise encounter.
How to Become a DevSecOps Engineer

How Much Does a DevSecOps Engineer Earn?

A DevSecOps engineer based in the U.S. can earn an average of US$101,752 annually.

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Given that the global DevSecOps market size has reached US$5,183.42 million in 2024, working in DevSecOps may be promising.

Key Takeaways

  • A DevSecOps engineer is responsible for securing the software development process, including automating scans, verifying code, and developing security protocols.
  • Such an engineer needs excellent technical, security, and workplace skills. He or she usually acts as the bridge between the DevSec and Operations teams.
  • A computer science, cybersecurity, math, engineering, or science degree is required of people who wish to work in DevSecOps. Some certifications like GCSA and CDSOE also help.
  • Working in DevSecOps means being an expert not just in cybersecurity but also software development.

Sources

  • https://www.coursera.org/articles/devsecops
  • https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-skills-does-devsecops-engineer-need-managexae/
  • https://devops.com/how-to-become-a-devsecops-engineer/
  • https://medium.com/@EmilyVancampp/path-to-becoming-a-devsecops-engineer-integrating-security-into-devops-ed604d2f498b