The difference between DevOps and DevSecOps is basically the difference between building fast and building fast but safely.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. DevOps

  • Goal: Deliver software quickly and reliably.

  • Focus Areas:

    • Automation (CI/CD pipelines, deployments)
    • Collaboration between Dev & Ops
    • Monitoring & Feedback loops
  • Security: Often handled late in the cycle (e.g., before release or post-release).
  • Typical Risk: Vulnerabilities may be found after the software is already in production.

2. DevSecOps

  • Goal: Deliver software quickly, reliably, and securely.

  • Focus Areas:

    • Same as DevOps + Security baked into every stage.
    • Shift security left (do it early in development).
    • Automate security scans in pipelines (SAST, DAST, container scanning, dependency checks).
    • Ensure compliance & threat modeling are continuous.
  • Security: Continuous, proactive, automated.
  • Typical Benefit: Vulnerabilities found early → cheaper to fix, less downtime, better compliance.

Key Differences in Practice

Stage DevOps Approach DevSecOps Approach
Planning Focus on features and delivery timelines Include security requirements & threat modeling
Coding Developer writes features Developer uses secure coding practices + linting & SAST tools
Build Automated build Build includes dependency scanning & license checks
Testing Functional and performance testing Also runs DAST, security unit tests, API fuzzing
Deploy Deploy quickly Deploy after security gates pass
Operate Monitor performance & errors Monitor also for anomalies, security alerts, and breaches

💡 Think of it like this:

  • DevOps: Fast car, no seatbelts.
  • DevSecOps: Fast car, with seatbelts, airbags, ABS, and regular safety checks — and you still drive fast.