Is a Career as a DevSecOps Engineer in Your Future?
The DevSecOps methodology of embedding security into each stage of the application development delivers the benefits of secure code, shorter time-to-market, and high quality. As a result, a wide range of small to very large companies have embraced DevSecOps. With this continued growth in mind, estimates show that DevSecOps revenues will surpass $17 billion by 2028.
The growth in DevSecOps usage has increased job opportunities. A quick inventory of available DevSecOps jobs shows the demand for application security staff, engineering managers, security engineering team leads, cyber engineers, and DevSecOps engineers. Because of the almost overwhelming need for data security, companies seek expertise and experience in software development and cybersecurity.
DevSecOps Salary and Job Requirements
In general, the DevSecOps salary range starts with entry-level positions at approximately $120,000 per year with average salaries at approximately $140,000 per year. The DevSecOps salary range may vary with geographic region. While an entry-level DevSecOps engineer’s salary starts at approximately $120,000 per year, experience can push a Senior DevSecOps engineer’s salary into the $190,000 per year range.
Individuals working in DevSecOps jobs may include responsibilities that include leadership for different teams, the use of automation tools, and writing code. Because the success of DevSecOps depends on a unified approach to development, security, and operations, staff must have the ability to drive collaborative approaches to security throughout the development process and to mentor and train staff who do not have familiarity with DevSecOps tools.
DevSecOps Engineers Responsibilities Cover Multiple Areas
A typical DevSecOps job description for an engineer will focus on the ability to address customer, infrastructure, and security requirements as well as the ability to ensure that development, security, and operations teams collaborate. Along with studying customer requirements and the core functionality that customers want to see from their software, DevSecOps engineers must also consider performance and security levels.
To solve these issues, software engineers develop programs, provide instructions to programming teams, review and analyze the results of software testing, and change the design process where errors occur. Translating customer requirements into meaningful instructions for programming teams may involve creating diagrams for models that programmers can use as guides.
In addition, DevSecOps job descriptions specify that engineers work with programming staff to develop the CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous deployment) pipeline code and design action plans that address any problems that may surface. As teams work to develop code, DevSecOps engineers create plug-and-play reusable solutions and patterns for the CI/CD pipeline.
These efforts include identifying the need for build automation along with the design and implementation of CI/CD solutions. As pipeline development continues, DevSecOps engineers lead teams that define, publish, and disseminate CI/CD best practices, patterns, and solutions. DevSecOps engineers also build and maintain CI/CD building blocks and create shared libraries. Each of these tasks speeds up the development process and allows quicker deployments.
DevSecOps relies on the successful integration of security into the development process. For engineers, accomplishing this integration revolves around their ability to identify potential security risks and to develop strategies for mitigating vulnerabilities. Identifying potential security risks involves updating incident tracking tools, gathering essential data, and documenting any potential vulnerabilities or problems.
While monitoring security threats, DevSecOps engineers also work with teams to implement security controls. The collaborative efforts between engineers, developers, system administrators, and all stakeholders ensure the successful integration of security into each stage of the application development process.
Experience and Knowledge Drive Successful DevSecOps Job Applications
Many DevSecOps professionals begin their careers as system administrators or software developers. Individuals with system administrator experience flourish because of their experience with operations, support, and operating budgets. This experience easily blends into a DevSecOps culture dependent on communications between teams, efficient and reliable technical processes, and the use of automation tools. System administrators also have experience with measuring project success through key performance indicators (KPIs) and with facilitating feedback and stakeholder engagement.
Software developers contribute value through their experience with producing code and documentation. Their experience aligns with DevSecOps practices such as continuous integration, build, and delivery and automated release management. Software developers as well as system administrators have experience with compliance issues, automated release management, and incremental testing.
Transitioning into the DevSecOps environment requires an investment in DevSecOps certifications and DevSecOps training. DevSecOps certifications include the Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP), Certified DevSecOps Expert (CDE), and the Certified DevSecOps Leader (CDL). Certified DevSecOps Professional courses cover DevSecOps processes and tools, the DevSecOps Pipeline, and DevSecOps tools such as SCA, SAST, DAST, and Security as Code.
Individuals can take the next step into DevSecOps certification through the Certified DevSecOps Expert training that covers infrastructure as code, compliance as code, and vulnerability management. A CDE can write custom rulesets and use automation to reduce false-positive fatigue. Another DevSecOps certification — the Certified DevSecOps Leader — prepares developers and engineers for team leadership, project leadership, or development cycle leadership roles.
Organizations such as the DevOps Institute, Practical DevSecOps, SANS Institute, the Linux Foundation, Udemy, and Coursera offer DevSecOps course options and DevSecOps tutorials. As an example, an introductory-level DevSecOps course emphasizes essential practices, principles, and the overall description of the DevSecOps software development cycle. Training opportunities also include Introduction to DevSecOps courses, Cloud Security and DevSecOps Automation courses, Mastering Secure CI/CD Pipeline courses, and Kubernetes DevOps and Security courses. DevSecOps tutorials often cover specific topics such as enabling DevSecOps at scale and integrating tools with CI/CD pipelines.
DevSecOps Tutorials and Training Opportunities Prepare Individuals for Their Next Career Step
Applicants for DevSecOps positions will find that DevSecOps interview questions align with the content offered through tutorials, workshops, and courses. Typical DevSecOps interview questions cover the core principles of DevSecOps, best practices for implementing CI/CD pipeline security, DevSecOps tools, and the DevSecOps workflow. Interview questions may also cover topics such as Infrastructure as Code, compliance requirements, and methods used for threat modeling, risk assessment, and vulnerability testing. Each category of interview questions works as a benchmark for determining an applicant’s ability to perform tasks outlined in a specific job description.