DevSecOps Practices

DevSecOps practices extend the principles of DevOps by integrating security into every phase of the software development lifecycle. For PHP developers, this means taking a proactive 'security as code' approach, ensuring that applications are designed, built, and deployed with security as a primary consideration, rather than an afterthought.

Integrating Security into the PHP Lifecycle

A developer following DevSecOps practices is responsible for embedding security measures directly into the development and operations workflow. This approach helps to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities early, reducing risk and cost.

• Automating security testing within the CI/CD pipeline, including Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST).
• Using tools like PHPStan and Psalm with security-focused rule sets to detect potential vulnerabilities in code.
• Managing application dependencies and scanning for known vulnerabilities using tools like Composer audit.
• Implementing secure coding practices to prevent common vulnerabilities like those listed in the OWASP Top 10.
• Managing secrets and credentials securely using solutions like HashiCorp Vault or cloud provider services.

Key DevSecOps Skills and Tools

This specialization requires a strong foundation in both development and security principles.

• Security Principles: Deep understanding of common web vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS, CSRF) and mitigation techniques.
• Automated Scanning Tools: Experience with SAST, DAST, and dependency scanning tools.
• Infrastructure Security: Knowledge of securing servers, containers, and cloud environments.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): Understanding principles of authentication and authorization.