Essential Cloud Security Tools for Effective DevSecOps

Implementation of a DevSecOps approach is the most impactful key factor in the total cost of a data breach. Successful DevSecOps in a cloud-native world is aided by the right tools. Here are a handful of the most essential cloud security tools and what to look for in them to aid DevSecOps. 

Top Essential Cloud Security Tool for DevSecOps: Software Composition Analysis 

Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is the bread and butter of cloud security tools for effective DevSecOps and securing the software supply chain.  

Why it matters: open-source software (OSS) is handy, but it comes with a few catches. There are vulnerabilities, missed updates, and license risk to be worried about. That’s where SCA comes in.  

SCA takes a proactive approach to finding these risks early. A few things you want to look out for when picking the right SCA tool for you: 

• Continuous Monitoring 

• Reporting & Analytics with Peer Benchmarking 

• Remediation Guidance & Fix Suggestions 

• Dependency Graphs with Vulnerable Methods 

• Automatic Policy Enforcement 

Veracode SCA supports DevSecOps because you can immediately test in your development environment. You're able to launch scans right from the command line for fast feedback and uninterrupted workflows. Also, our proprietary dataset gives us insight into testing extensively for vulnerabilities. This includes those that never made it into the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or have yet to be registered. 

Why Repository Scanning Should Happen Through SCA 

Repository scanning gives you the ability to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities in open-source components used in software development. With the increasing use of open-source software in modern applications, it's crucial for organizations to have a comprehensive understanding of the security risks associated with these components.  

Repo scanning in Veracode's platform supports DevSecOps because it becomes an integrated part of your CI/CD pipeline. Developers don't have to be bothered with the heavy lifting. We make it simple for DevOps teams to manage what code gets scanned, when it gets scanned, and what type of scan it receives. Standardization and centralized management allows DevOps teams to onboard thousands of repos with a single click. 

Make Sure AI is on the SCA Roadmap 

In addition to streamlining the repo scanning process, Veracode's platform also integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our SCA capabilities. This means that potential vulnerabilities and risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner, further reducing the burden on developers. 

The following tools are all incorporated with SCA in Veracode's advanced platform. While many vendors provide these tools individually, your best bet for successful DevSecOps involves unification and automation through a platform. Schedule a demo today and speak with our experts about how we can help embed security throughout your software development lifecycle. 

Cloud Security Requires Software Bill of Materials Tool 

Recent legislation has increased the pressure for organizations to have visibility into the components and dependencies within their software. A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) tool helps you generate and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all open-source components and third-party libraries used in your code.  

This tool can help you quickly identify any known vulnerabilities and track the usage of these components to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Veracode Software Composition Analysis (SCA) enables generation of SBOM in CycloneDX and SPDX formats. These are approved formats for compliance with the Executive Order mentioned above. 

Container Security is the Cloud Security Tool You Don't Want to Miss

Along with the rise of open-source software, containerization has become increasingly popular for its ability to improve scalability and efficiency in application deployment. However, it also introduces its own set of security challenges, making container security a critical aspect of overall cloud security.  

You can't just secure what's inside the container. You need to make sure the container itself is secure. A container security tool can help scan for vulnerabilities and enforce security policies, but it's important for developers to also follow best practices when building and deploying containers. We cover how to choose secure container images in our cloud-native development series. 

Reporting Capabilities and Consulting 

Finally, cloud security tools with accurate and comprehensive reporting capabilities and the option to consult with security experts make all the difference. Securing software is no small task. Having experts ready to help you set up your program for success or help you in a pinch means quantifiable risk reduction. In addition to reporting capabilities, the option for peer benchmarking allows you to set realistic goals for your progress. 

Why Successful DevSecOps Requires Cloud Security Tools as a Unified Platform 

With numerous tools available, it's imperative to use a unified platform to streamline processes and ensure comprehensive security measures are in place. The key to achieving successful DevSecOps is to prioritize a holistic approach to security, utilizing a unified platform that integrates tools, reporting, and consulting services to create a seamless and secure development process. 

It's time to embrace a unified platform and take a proactive approach to security in the cloud. Schedule a demo today.