Is DevSecOps Just a SCAM?

Whenever DevSecOps enters a conversation, people are often inclined to view it as just another overhyped pseudo-technical term. Does it really have value, or is it just another SCAM? As odd as it might sound, DevSecOps is a SCAM — but not in the way you’d expect. By the way, let me give you an exciting heads-up:

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In this case, SCAM stands for the core pillars of DevSecOps: Sharing, Culture, Automation, and Measurement.

These four elements form the foundation of DevSecOps, transforming it from mere hype into a modern necessity for creating secure, agile software that can withstand today’s high demands.

As you can see, titles can sometimes take on manipulative and misleading roles, but now let’s take a closer look at the reality of the situation. In this article, we will analyze each element of SCAM and discuss its role in effective DevSecOps, particularly regarding security.

We’ll show you why adopting these principles is essential for integrating security seamlessly into all DevOps workflows.

Sharing — At the Heart of Collaboration

One of the most important aspects of DevSecOps is sharing. Traditionally, security, development, and operations teams work separately in silos. And let’s be honest — this often creates more problems than it solves. Development teams are rushing to release code, while security teams are carefully reviewing every little detail.

Naturally, this disconnect leads to security risks. But here’s where the magic of DevSecOps comes in: instead of working separately, these teams collaborate, sharing tools, knowledge, and processes. It’s like getting everyone on the same page, finally. Sharing in DevSecOps isn’t just about using the same tools — it’s about genuinely working together and exchanging information.

Even the smallest tools and processes can make a big difference in security and efficiency. This kind of collaboration not only cuts down security risks but also ensures that security responsibilities are shared across the whole development process. No more dumping everything on the security team at the last minute — everyone plays their part from the start.

A great example of this is Netflix, which really gets this concept. They don’t just use open-source security tools like Security Monkey and Lemur internally — they share them with the whole community. How cool is that? It shows how sharing can enhance security, both within an organization and across the globe, by building a community of developers who are constantly improving these tools. Now that’s teamwork at its best!

Culture — Making Culture Your Winning Strategy in an Organization

No matter how much you invest in automation, measurement, or fancy tools, none of it can fix a broken culture. Culture is the most important piece of the SCAM framework because it’s the foundation everything else depends on. Without a culture of shared responsibility and collaboration, even the best tools and processes will fall flat.

And let’s face it — one of the biggest challenges with DevSecOps is that security often feels like an afterthought, something extra to worry about instead of being baked into the process. But in a true DevSecOps culture, security is woven seamlessly into development, with every team member actively contributing to the security of the software. No one’s working alone — everyone’s in it together.

A perfect example of this cultural shift is Etsy. Back in 2010, they embraced DevOps by making developers responsible for the code they wrote — even after it went into production. Talk about ownership! By relaxing overly strict security policies in their CI/CD pipelines, Etsy gave developers the freedom and responsibility to integrate security into their daily work.

It wasn’t some annoying extra step; it became part of their workflow. This cultural transformation helped Etsy release new features quickly, all while keeping security front and centre. It’s a clear example of how building a culture of shared responsibility is essential for DevSecOps success. And really, doesn’t that make all the difference?

Automation — Scaling Security Practices

When it comes to DevSecOps, automation is often seen as the most important part of the process. And sure, it’s critical, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. While automation is essential, it needs to work alongside the other SCAM principles to get the best results. Automation helps scale security practices by making sure security tests and checks happen early and often throughout the development process.

Let’s be real — manual security testing just can’t keep up with the speed of modern CI/CD pipelines. That’s why processes like vulnerability scanning, compliance checks, and incident detection need to be automated to keep things running smoothly and securely.

Luckily, there are plenty of tools out there that make this kind of automation possible. Tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI are great for automating your CI/CD pipeline, while SonarQube can help with static code analysis. Oh, and don’t forget HashiCorp Vault for managing secrets! This seriously cuts down the chances of vulnerable code slipping into production. Pretty neat, right?

Measurement — Data-Driven Decision Making

You can’t fix what you don’t measure, right? That’s why measurement is such a crucial part of the SCAM framework. It provides those all-important feedback loops that allow teams to keep improving. By tracking the right metrics, teams can make smart, data-driven decisions that help spot security gaps and fine-tune their practices over time.

In a DevSecOps setup, it’s super important to keep an eye on key performance indicators (KPIs) that show how well both security and development are running. Some of the key metrics to track include Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) for security incidents, the frequency of security tests like vulnerability scans or code reviews, the number of vulnerabilities per release, the patch rate, and how much code coverage you’re getting from your automated security tests.

A great example of how this works in action is Google. They’re known for their strict approach to measurement in DevSecOps. By keeping a close watch on metrics like how long it takes to patch vulnerabilities, Google’s teams can quickly identify where things are slowing down and continuously improve their security processes. It’s a perfect example of why measurement is essential for fine-tuning and optimizing DevSecOps practices.

Conclusio

At first glance, DevSecOps might seem like a buzzword, but it’s built on solid principles that enhance security and software delivery. In essence, DevSecOps is all about Sharing, Culture, Automation, and Measurement — key elements that help teams collaborate, automate security, and continuously improve.

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