The world of DevOps and the world of security experts have always been two distinct areas that have been working in isolation. However, with the increasing importance of security in the world of DevOps, it is crucial to bridge the gap between these two worlds. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of skill gaps in DevOps and security and how organisations can work towards closing this gap.

Watch the webinar Impact of skill gaps in DevOps and Security

This blog is based on the webinar Impact of Skill Gaps in DevOps and Security. You can rewatch the whole webinar here:

Table of Contents

In this blog, we will teach you the following:

• The Skill Gap
• The Importance of Understanding User Needs
• Bridging the Skill Gap
• Investing in Security Knowledge and Skills
• Closing the Skill Gap

What is the DevOps-Security Skill Gap?

The skill gap between DevOps engineers and security experts has been a major concern for organizations for many years. The DevOps team is focused on delivering software in a fast and agile manner, while security experts are focused on securing the software and ensuring that it is not vulnerable to attacks. This difference in priorities often leads to a lack of understanding and communication between the two teams, resulting in a significant gap in knowledge and skills.

The skill gap is not just limited to the difference in priorities but also the level of expertise required in both fields. While DevOps engineers need expertise in software development and operations, security experts need expertise in secure coding practices, vulnerability assessment, and risk management. The development of secure software requires a collaborative effort between the two teams, and thus, the skill gap needs to be bridged to ensure that security is an integral part of the development process.

The Importance of Understanding User Needs

The first step in addressing the skill gap is understanding users' needs. Organizations must identify and understand the target audience's requirements, interests, and play style. This understanding will help in designing and implementing projects tailored to the users' needs. DevOps engineers and security experts need to work together to identify the security risks associated with the software, and this can only be done if they have a clear understanding of the user's needs.

What You Can Do to Bridge the Skill Gap

The skill gap can be bridged by involving skilled experts as early as possible in the development process. This will help in identifying risks and mitigating them at an early stage. It is also important to train the DevOps team in security skills and to make them aware of the risks involved in software development. Organizations can also use static coding tools to check security during software development.

Involving security experts early in the development process will also help reduce the cost of fixing security issues later. Fixing security issues in the later stages of the development process can be expensive and time-consuming. By involving security experts early on, organizations can identify and fix security issues before they become major problems.

Investing in Security Knowledge and Skills

Investing in security knowledge and skills for DevOps is not a waste, as some might believe. Skilled DevOps engineers will eventually leave the organization, but this should not be an excuse for not investing in them. Organizations must invest in their employees and provide them with the necessary training and learning opportunities. This will help retain skilled employees and create an ecosystem where most DevOps engineers have security skills.

Investing in security knowledge and skills for DevOps engineers will also help improve the organisation's overall security posture. Organizations can ensure that security is an integral part of the development process by having a team of skilled DevOps engineers with security knowledge. This will help in reducing the risk of security breaches and cyber-attacks.

Closing the Skill Gap

To close the skill gap, organizations must focus on creating a culture of learning and development. This includes recognizing and rewarding employees for their efforts, providing opportunities for growth and development, and offering tailored training programs. It is also important to connect with learning teams in the organization and not just focus on the traditional IT topics that are on the table.

Organizations need to create a learning environment where employees can learn and grow in their roles. This includes providing access to training and learning resources, encouraging employees to learn from each other, and creating a culture of continuous learning. Organizations must also provide employees opportunities to apply their learning in real-world scenarios like hackathons and other security-related events.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the skill gap between DevOps engineers and security experts is a major concern for organizations. However, organisations can work towards closing this gap by understanding the needs of the users, involving skilled experts early in the development process, investing in security knowledge and skills, and creating a culture of learning and development. It is time for organizations to recognize the importance of bridging the skill gap and take the necessary steps to address it.

Closing the skill gap between DevOps engineers and security experts is not an easy task, but it is necessary. By working together and creating a culture of learning and development, organizations can ensure that security is an integral part of the development process. This will help reduce the risk of security breaches and cyber-attacks and, ultimately, help build a more secure and resilient software ecosystem.