In today’s world, it is a challenge to build secure applications. You can use hundreds of security controls in a software product, and without a robust continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline, implementing them all manually is impossible.

The following article discusses identifying the most effective set of DevSecOps security tools for your application and them into your CI/CD pipeline.

The first step is to understand the different types of security tools and how they can be used together to create a secure application. The most common security tools are as follows.

IDS/IPS

Intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems detect and prevent attacks on how to integrate them into your CI/CD pipeline.

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

A web application firewall is created to protect applications by filtering incoming requests.
A WAF can filter bad requests, limit the number of allowed requests, and block traffic identified as malicious. It includes blocking SQL injection attempts and cross-site scripting attacks.

Credentialed Patching Tools

Credentialed patching tools allow you to update the application’s software without downloading or deploying it. They can replace an application after a new vulnerability is published.

Vulnerability Scanning Tools

A vulnerability scanning tool will identify vulnerabilities in your code and provide information about their severity.

Once identified, you should fix the problem as soon as possible, and the new code should be scanned before publishing it to production. The scanning tool can also be integrated with CI/CD pipelines to automate the remediation of vulnerable code.

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Tools

Dynamic application security testing (DAST) tools can automatically test an application for vulnerabilities when changes are made to the software, such as when new code is checked in, or a security fix is implemented. These can identify small and obvious security issues that can be easily fixed.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is a form of black-box testing that simulates an attack on your application. Penetration testers are hired to find vulnerabilities in your system and suggest ways to fix them.
While penetration testing is not a replacement for vulnerability scanning, it can help find vulnerabilities that are not identified by scanning tools.

Configuration Management Tools

Configuration management tools help you keep track of the changes made to your application and its supporting infrastructure. This includes changes made to the code, software, and database.

Configuration management tools can help you quickly identify which changes caused a security issue.
Once you understand the different types of DevSecOps security tools, you need to identify your application’s threats and choose the tools that will help mitigate those threats.

The most common threats are:

– SQL Injection
– Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
– Remote Code Execution (RCE)
– Information Disclosure
– Data Leakage

To mitigate these threats, you should use a combination of security tools and deploy them well.
After understanding the different security tools, you can assemble them into a cohesive security strategy.

Here’s how:

– Step 1: Create a Workflow
Create a workflow that will quickly deploy security tools into your CI/CD pipeline.
It will help keep them up-to-date. It also allows for easier testing of new tools. Using this same workflow across all applications enables you to implement standard security controls regardless of the application type, whether a web application, mobile app, or desktop app.

– Step 2: Identify the Right Tools
Not every security tool is suitable for every application. You need to identify the right tools for your specific application and environment. It includes understanding the different types of vulnerabilities in your application and identifying which security controls can address them.

– Step 3: Integrate the Tools into Your CI/CD Pipeline
Once you have identified the right DevSecOps security tools, you need to integrate them into your CI/CD pipeline. It will help ensure that they are used as part of the software development process. It also allows for automated testing and remediation of vulnerabilities.

– Step 4: Test and Evaluate
Once the tools are integrated into the CI/CD pipeline, test them to ensure they are working correctly.
It is best to focus on testing right now rather than waiting until later when you have more code to scan or vulnerable patches to test. It will help you find any issues before you start moving further down your workflow. Also, evaluate the tools regularly to ensure that they are still effective.

– Step 5: Deploy and Monitor
Once the tools are in place and working correctly, deploy them into your production environment. It will help ensure that your applications are secure. Be sure to monitor them closely and correct any issues that may arise.

Tools such as vulnerability scanners, configuration management tools, and penetration testers can help you secure your application. But it’s essential to understand the different types of security tools and the importance of using them together to create a comprehensive security strategy.