How to configure DevSecOps in Azure DevOps

A comprehensive guide on how to configure DevSecOps in Azure DevOps, combining the best practices and tools suggested:

Key Principles

• Shift Left: Integrate security as early in the development process as possible.
• Automation: Automate security testing and processes to increase efficiency and reduce human error.
• Collaboration: Foster a culture of shared responsibility for security between developers, security teams, and operations.

Implementation Steps

1. Secure Your Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
   • Templates: Use Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or tools like Terraform to define your infrastructure in a secure and repeatable way.
   • Scanning: Employ Microsoft Defender for Cloud’s IaC scanning capabilities to detect misconfigurations before they reach production.
   • Azure Policy: Apply Azure policies to enforce security standards and compliance across your deployments.
2. Integrate Security Scanning into Your CI/CD Pipeline:
   • Static Application Security Testing (SAST):
     • Azure DevOps Security Code Analysis extension (free from Microsoft)
     • Third-party options like SonarQube, Checkmarx, or similar.
   • Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST):
     • OWASP ZAP
     • Commercial solutions like Burp Suite or Netsparker.
   • Software Composition Analysis (SCA):
     • OWASP Dependency-Check
     • WhiteSource
3. Vulnerability Management:
   • Azure Security Center: Utilize Security Center’s built-in vulnerability assessments and recommendations.
   • Third-party Integrations: If you use additional vulnerability scanners, integrate their findings into Azure DevOps for centralized management.
4. Secret Management:
   • Azure Key Vault: Store secrets, keys, and certificates securely.
   • Access Policies: Control access to your Key Vault using RBAC (Role-Based Access Control).
   • Integrate with Pipelines: Use Key Vault tasks in your pipelines for secure retrieval of secrets during deployment.
5. Container Security:
   • Image Scanning:
     • Azure Container Registry’s integrated scanning.
     • Tools like Clair or Trivy
   • Azure Policy for Kubernetes: Enforce secure image sources and configurations in your AKS deployments.
6. Threat Modeling:
   • Early Stages: Integrate threat modeling exercises during the design phase of your applications using tools like Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool.
7. Incident Response:
   • Playbooks: Define clear incident response procedures within Azure DevOps.
   • Azure Sentinel: Leverage Azure Sentinel for security monitoring and automated responses.

Continuous Improvement

• Metrics: Track key DevSecOps metrics (e.g., vulnerabilities found, time to fix) to measure progress.
• Feedback: Establish feedback loops to adapt and improve your DevSecOps process.

Example Azure DevOps Pipeline Integration (Simplified)

YAML

trigger:
- main

stages:
- stage: 'SAST' 
  jobs:
    - job: 
      steps:
        - task: SAST Tool (e.g., SonarQube, Azure DevOps Security Code Analysis) 

- stage: 'DAST'
  jobs:
    - job:
      steps:
        - task: DAST Tool (e.g., OWASP ZAP)

- stage: 'SCA'
  jobs:
    - job:
      steps:
        - task: SCA Tool (e.g., OWASP Dependency-Check)

- stage: 'Deploy'
  jobs:
    - job:
      steps:      
        - task: Azure Key Vault (to retrieve secrets for deployment)

Use code with caution.

Important Considerations:

• Tailor to Your Needs: Adapt the specific tools and processes based on your project requirements and organizational structure.
• Cultural Change: DevSecOps is about a shift in mindset and collaborative effort. Training and clear roles and responsibilities are important.