SecOps stands for “Security Operations” (Security + Operations = SecOps). Its purpose is to minimise security risks both in the daily operations as in the development process. It is a cooperative effort to create a secure working environment and develop safer software and applications.
It can be defined as the proactive integration between security and operation teams that share the responsibility of predicting, monitoring, and addressing possible risks and vulnerabilities by automating important security tasks without hindering the development cycle.
But SecOps goes deeper than the organizational aspect, permeating all aspects of the organisation’s life. It is a way of doing, a methodology based on collaboration and automation of processes throughout the development stages to improve security. It shares the holistic view of DevOps but places security on par with quality and speed.
The demand for constant innovation can collide with security, often an afterthought under the grind of fast-paced development processes. Embedding security practices in all operational stages is the way to go, and SecOps provides an integrated approach to minimize risks.
Under a joint strategy, security and operations teams become responsible for maintaining a safe environment by evaluating and signalling vulnerabilities, sharing information, and resolving any security issues. Communication is key in SecOps. From the tools used to the definition of the roles in the prevention, detection, and resolution stages, all rules and procedures must be clear from the get-go, so no vulnerabilities go unnoticed.
Although a collective effort, Security Operations teams have different specialist roles that cover all the stages of threat prevention and attack mitigation:
The Security Operations Center (SOC) is the headquarters of the SecOps team. Although integration is of the essence, the SOC provides a self-contained area from which the team can safely operate.
Most SOCs work 24/7, meaning the SecOps team is divided into shifts. The specs and activity of the SOC are shaped by the model deployed by organisations. SOCs can be:
The closer they are to home, the faster the response. However, outsourcing SecOps via a virtual SOC can be the financially smart choice for companies lacking in resources and skills to implement their own SecOps strategy.
As a specialized activity, SecOps need specialized tools. The main breakthrough in recent years has been the development of AI for automation, saving time, reducing repetitive tasks, and providing faster reaction times, a feature that is increasingly present in all of SecOps actions.
Monitoring tools are essential and can improve the response time. Alert systems should be well-calibrated to reduce the occasional detection of false positives but sensitive enough to react when something goes awry.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools are widely used and have become more effective in identifying threats with the integration of Security Orchestration and Automation (SOAR) features.
Development is an iterative process, and code consistency is key. Management tools like Ansible or Docker are quite useful when configuring systems if vulnerabilities are detected, allowing faster deployment of bug fixes. They also ensure the final product remains cohesive instead of patched.
Automation is a goal and a requirement. There are more threats than available people to deal with them, so SecOps tools should have automation as one of their main features. Automation should be used in monitoring, repetitive tasks, incident alerts, and response to breaches, to keep the security levels high while minimising the impact on business and production.
Putting security upfront can be a radical change in the workflow and development processes of some organizations, but a necessary one. Here are some reasons why investing in a Security Operations team is a good idea.
As an integrated effort, SecOps goals go beyond the mere enforcing of security measures without disrupting the demands of the development cycle. A good SecOps policy should also:
Security practices should be the norm in organizations, not an emergency resource. Besides creating a security baseline, developing a SecOps strategy will improve:
The best way to incorporate SecOps as a workflow feature is through training. A good SecOps course will raise awareness and provide teams with appropriate security tools and procedures. It will also contribute to the development of an in-house SecOps structure, simplifying the validation of assets and code before production, thus eliminating possible friction between the once disjointed teams.
The result will be a safer working environment and trustworthy products.
When assessing the need for a SecOps culture in an organization, the question is not why or if they should be integrated, but when and how. This integrated philosophy is the best prevention and remedy for cyberattacks, no matter what model is deployed.
In a nutshell, SecOps:
Since the purpose of SecOps is to create standard actions and solutions to face cyber threats and avoid potential risks, they should be looked at as a single platform with the ability to identify, track and solve security incidents.
SecOps is also a holistic approach to security in daily operations, affecting every action and decision through the different stages of production. But once it is ingrained in the minds and processes of an organisation, the investment pays off because security and trust are two of the most valuable currencies in the technological world.
Content writer and digital media producer with an interest in the symbiotic relationship between tech and society. Books, music, and guitars are a constant.
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