Welcome to the comprehensive guide for the DevSecOps Foundation Certification, introduced by DevOpsSchool in association with renowned trainer Rajesh Kumar. This certification is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in integrating security into the DevOps pipeline, commonly referred to as DevSecOps. Below is a detailed breakdown of all sections that will be useful for students preparing for this certification.

DevSecOps is the practice of integrating security at every stage of the software development lifecycle, from planning and coding to deploying and monitoring applications. The goal of DevSecOps is to enable teams to deliver secure software quickly without compromising the agility and flexibility of DevOps practices.

Key elements of DevSecOps include:

• Security as Code: Treating security like any other code asset that can be integrated and automated within the pipeline.
• Shift-Left Strategy: Incorporating security earlier in the development process to detect and resolve issues before they become vulnerabilities in production.
• Automation: Using tools to automate security testing, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks.

About the DevSecOps Foundation Certification

Overview of the Certification

The DevSecOps Foundation Certification from DevOpsSchool is designed to introduce learners to the concepts of integrating security into the DevOps framework. This certification enables students to understand the significance of continuous security across the software delivery pipeline and equips them with the skills to implement automated security practices within an organization.

Importance of DevSecOps in Modern IT

With the rise of cloud computing, microservices, and continuous delivery, security threats have become more prevalent and harder to track. DevSecOps addresses this issue by embedding security controls into every phase of the development lifecycle. This ensures that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of the process, preventing breaches, ensuring compliance, and reducing the time needed to remediate vulnerabilities.

Agenda of the DevSecOps Foundation Certification

The agenda of the DevSecOps Foundation Certification is designed to cover all critical aspects of security in the DevOps lifecycle. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Key Concepts and Skills Covered

• Understanding the importance of integrating security into DevOps pipelines.
• The evolution from DevOps to DevSecOps and the need for security automation.
• The role of security testing in ensuring that code is secure before it’s deployed.

DevSecOps Principles and Practices

• How to shift security left in the development process, integrating security checks early.
• Implementing blameless security postmortems and learning from security incidents.
• Ensuring security at all levels of the CI/CD pipeline.

Security Automation in CI/CD

• How to embed security controls into your CI/CD pipeline using automation tools.
• Automating tasks such as vulnerability scanning, container security, and compliance checks.
• Understanding the importance of static code analysis and dynamic testing in detecting security vulnerabilities early.

Threat Modeling and Vulnerability Assessment

• How to conduct threat modeling to identify potential security risks and address them proactively.
• Vulnerability management: Understanding the lifecycle of vulnerabilities and how to prioritize and remediate them.
• Hands-on labs for identifying and addressing security threats in a DevOps environment.

DevSecOps Tools and Technologies

• Introduction to popular tools used for automating security in DevSecOps pipelines:
• Jenkins for CI/CD
• Docker and Kubernetes for container security
• SonarQube and OWASP ZAP for code analysis and vulnerability scanning
• Ansible and Terraform for infrastructure as code (IaC) security automation

About the Trainer: Rajesh Kumar

Rajesh Kumar is an industry expert with vast experience in DevOps, DevSecOps, and cloud security. As a trainer, Rajesh has helped numerous professionals transform their approach to security, integrating it seamlessly with development and operations processes. Rajesh Kumar’s training emphasizes:

• Hands-on labs and real-world use cases
• Practical applications of DevSecOps tools
• A focus on both theoretical and practical knowledge to help learners master DevSecOps concepts

Rajesh Kumar’s teachings help ensure that students are well-prepared to implement DevSecOps strategies in their organizations.

Prerequisites for DevSecOps Certification

While there are no strict prerequisites for this certification, it is recommended that students have a basic understanding of:

• DevOps practices
• Software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Basic security concepts (vulnerabilities, attacks, security testing)
• Familiarity with tools like Jenkins, Git, or Docker

Course Structure and Duration

The course is structured to be completed in 3-5 days, depending on whether students opt for self-paced learning or live instructor-led sessions. The course includes:

• Instructor-led training sessions with Rajesh Kumar
• Self-paced videos and tutorials
• Hands-on labs with DevSecOps tools to apply security principles in real-time

Syllabus Breakdown by Section

Introduction to DevSecOps

• What is DevSecOps and why it’s critical in modern software delivery.
• Differences between traditional security and DevSecOps security.

Security as Code

• How to treat security configurations and policies as code.
• Automating security policies using tools like Chef, Ansible, and Terraform.

Continuous Security Testing

• Embedding security testing into the CI/CD pipeline.
• Tools for static and dynamic code analysis (e.g., SonarQube, OWASP ZAP).
• Automating vulnerability scans in containers, microservices, and APIs.

Monitoring and Compliance

• Continuous monitoring for security threats using ELK Stack, Prometheus, and other monitoring tools.
• Ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
• Automated compliance reporting and audit trails.

DevSecOps Tools (Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.)

• Practical application of popular DevSecOps tools:
• Jenkins for integrating security into CI/CD pipelines
• Docker for container security
• Kubernetes for secure orchestration and scaling of microservices
• HashiCorp Vault for secrets management

Learning Resources and Materials

Students will have access to:

• Video tutorials on DevSecOps concepts and practices.
• Case studies showing how organizations successfully implement DevSecOps.
• E-books and other downloadable resources covering DevSecOps tools and security practices.
• Hands-on labs for practical experience with key DevSecOps tools.

Benefits of Becoming DevSecOps Certified

• In-demand skills: DevSecOps professionals are sought after in industries where security is a critical concern, such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
• Competitive salary: Certified DevSecOps professionals are compensated at a premium due to the specialized nature of the role.
• Real-world skills: The course equips students with hands-on experience in automating security and integrating it into DevOps pipelines.
• Industry recognition: DevSecOps certification demonstrates your ability to manage security in high-paced, agile environments.

Exam Details and Certification Process

The DevSecOps Foundation Certification Exam includes:

• Multiple-choice questions based on all course topics.
• Hands-on lab assessments to test the practical application of DevSecOps principles.
• Exam duration: 90 minutes, with extra time for non-native English speakers if required.
• Certification validity: This certification is valid for a lifetime and demonstrates proficiency in implementing security across the software delivery pipeline.

Post-Certification Opportunities

After completing the DevSecOps Foundation Certification, professionals can pursue roles such as:

• DevSecOps Engineer
• Security Architect
• Cloud Security Engineer
• DevOps Security Specialist

These roles are critical in organizations that prioritize security alongside agility and scalability in their software delivery pipelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the cost of the DevSecOps Foundation Certification?**

• The cost varies depending on whether students opt for self-paced or instructor-led sessions.
• Do I need previous experience in security?
• While previous experience is not required, familiarity with DevOps practices and basic security concepts will be helpful.
• Is the certification globally recognized?
• Yes, the certification is recognized globally and is valued across industries.