Starting My DevSecOps Journey - From Developer to Security Champion
· 2 min read
Every great journey begins with a single step. Mine started when I realized that building applications isn't just about functionality—it's about building them securely from day one.
Why DevSecOps?
As a full-stack developer working with Python, Django, and modern frontend frameworks, I encountered my first major security incident. A misconfigured API endpoint exposed sensitive user data. That moment changed everything.
I realized:
- Security can't be an afterthought
- Developers need to own security
- Automation is key to consistent security practices
The Learning Path
Phase 1: Security Fundamentals
I started with the basics:
- OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
- Secure coding practices
- Authentication & authorization concepts
- Cryptography fundamentals
Phase 2: Tools and Technologies
Next came the practical tools:
- SAST: SonarQube, Bandit, ESLint security plugins
- DAST: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite
- SCA: Snyk, Dependabot, Safety
- Secrets Management: HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager
Phase 3: CI CD Integration
The real power came from automation:
- Integrating security scans into GitLab CI/CD
- Implementing security gates in pipelines
- Automated vulnerability reporting
- Container scanning with Trivy and Clair
Key Takeaways
- Start Small: You don't need to master everything at once
- Practice Daily: Set up a home lab, break things, fix them
- Community Matters: Join security communities, attend meetups
- Document Everything: Your future self will thank you
The journey is just beginning, and I'm excited to share what I learn along the way.
Have questions or suggestions? Connect with me on GitHub!