DevSecOps and Scrum: A Security Perspective in Software Development

This blog post is part of a series; please see part one, The Development Methodologies: A Deeper Look, part two: DevSecOps and Waterfall: A Security Perspective in Software Development, and part three: DevSecOps and Agile: A Security Perspective in Software Development.

Scrum: Agile Framework Focused on Collaboration and Iteration

Scrum is a subset of Agile methodology characterized by fixed-length iterations called sprints, which typically last two to four weeks. This framework emphasizes team collaboration, regular feedback loops, and the delivery of minor, incremental product releases. Scrum relies heavily on roles such as the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the development team to guide the development process. It is highly structured yet flexible to changes based on stakeholder feedback.

Security in Scrum: While Scrum incorporates practices that allow for frequent reassessment and adaptation, security is not inherently integrated into the Scrum framework. Teams often have to make a conscious effort to include security tasks within their sprints, which can vary in effectiveness depending on the team’s commitment to security priorities.

DevSecOps: Security Integration into DevOps

DevSecOps extends the DevOps philosophy by embedding security into every phase of the software development lifecycle. It advocates for "Security as Code" with a shift-left approach, integrating security early and continuously throughout development. This methodology aims to make security a shared responsibility among all team members involved in the development, operations, and delivery processes.

Security in DevSecOps: In DevSecOps, security is a fundamental, non-negotiable aspect. It involves automated tools for continuous security testing and compliance monitoring, ensuring security considerations keep pace with rapid development and deployment cycles.

Comparative Analysis

Core Focus and Integration

Scrum: Focuses on managing and completing complex software projects through iterative sprints, emphasizing process adaptability and stakeholder feedback.

DevSecOps seamlessly integrates security into the continuous integration and deployment pipeline, ensuring that every release is secure by design.

Role of Security

Scrum: Requires teams to proactively incorporate security into their development sprints, often through specific user stories or backlog items dedicated to security.

DevSecOps: Treats security as an integral part of the daily workflow, automated and embedded in all software development and operations stages.

Team Dynamics and Collaboration

Scrum: Promotes a collaborative environment with clear roles and responsibilities, focusing on delivering functional software at the end of each sprint.

DevSecOps: Encourages collaboration across development, operations, and security teams, breaking down traditional silos and fostering a culture where security is everyone's responsibility.

Tooling and Automation

Both methodologies employ tools to enhance efficiency; however, DevSecOps places a stronger emphasis on security-specific tools such as static and dynamic application security testing (SAST/DAST) tools and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) security tools that integrate directly into the CI/CD pipeline.

Conclusion

While Scrum offers a robust framework for managing and executing software development projects with flexibility and iterative feedback, it inherently lacks the built-in security focus that DevSecOps offers. DevSecOps, on the other hand, is designed around integrating security at every step, making it ideal for projects where security is critical. For teams using Scrum, integrating aspects of DevSecOps can enhance their approach to security, making it more continuous and integrated. This hybrid approach could leverage the strengths of both methodologies—Scrum’s iterative project management and DevSecOps’s rigorous security practices—to achieve a balanced, efficient, and secure development process.