As organizations continue accelerating their software delivery cycles, security can no longer remain an afterthought. Businesses are releasing code faster than ever, and with that speed comes increased risk—vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and human error can easily slip through traditional security processes. This is where DevSecOps comes in. DevSecOps integrates Development, Security, and Operations into a unified practice that infuses security into every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). The result? Faster delivery, fewer vulnerabilities, and stronger overall resilience.

But what exactly does a DevSecOps engineer do, and why is this role becoming so essential? This article breaks down the responsibilities, required skills, challenges, and career outlook for DevSecOps professionals—and explains how automation plays a critical role in making DevSecOps scalable.

What Is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps is a methodology that integrates security practices directly into DevOps workflows. Instead of treating security as a final checkpoint, DevSecOps ensures it becomes a continuous, automated part of development and deployment. It encourages collaboration between traditionally siloed teams so that everyone—from coders to operations staff—shares responsibility for protecting the environment.

At its core, DevSecOps aims to:

• detect vulnerabilities earlier in the pipeline,

• reduce manual security steps through automation,

• and create a security-first culture across the organization.

By adopting DevSecOps principles, companies reduce their attack surface while maintaining the speed and agility that DevOps promises.

The Role of a DevSecOps Engineer

A DevSecOps engineer acts as the bridge between development, operations, and security teams. Their goal is to embed security within automated pipelines, infrastructure, and application code.

Instead of working at the end of the SDLC, they join projects early—advising design decisions, implementing secure coding practices, and ensuring that every deployment meets security standards. They are both builders and defenders: they write code, build automation, investigate vulnerabilities, and help teams adopt safer practices.

A DevSecOps engineer is essentially responsible for evolving an organization’s approach to software creation—from project planning to deployment and beyond.

Key Responsibilities of a DevSecOps Engineer

1. Development Responsibilities

DevSecOps engineers collaborate closely with software developers to introduce secure coding practices and automated scanning tools. They may:

• Develop scripts and tools to automate security testing

• Integrate SAST, DAST, and SCA tools into CI/CD pipelines

• Build secure infrastructure as code (IaC)

• Create reusable frameworks for vulnerability detection

• Ensure dependencies and packages are continually monitored

Their development work ensures that code quality and security go hand-in-hand.

2. Security Responsibilities

Security is at the heart of the DevSecOps engineer’s role. Common tasks include:

• Identifying vulnerabilities throughout the SDLC

• Designing security policies and controls

• Assessing risks and proposing mitigation strategies

• Managing identity and access across environments

• Training teams on security best practices

They serve as both security experts and advocates, helping instill a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility.

3. Operations Responsibilities

DevSecOps also extends to operational environments, including infrastructure, monitoring, and compliance. Typical operations tasks include:

• Monitoring production environments for security threats

• Ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory standards

• Managing security for cloud infrastructure

• Collaborating with IT and Ops teams during incidents

• Helping maintain uptime and system reliability

Their work ensures that systems stay protected not only at deployment but long after.

Essential Skills for a DevSecOps Engineer

DevSecOps is a multidisciplinary field, so engineers need a wide range of skills.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of security principles (CIA triad, least privilege, zero trust)

• Understanding of the full SDLC

• Proficiency in programming (Python, Java, Bash, Go, etc.)

• Experience with CI/CD tools like GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or GitLab CI

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

• Understanding of security tools (SAST, DAST, IaC scanners)

• Automation and scripting expertise

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving ability

• Clear communication across technical and non-technical teams

• Adaptability to fast-changing technologies

• Ability to collaborate across historically siloed groups

• Commitment to continuous learning

Because security threats evolve rapidly, a growth mindset is one of the most important attributes a DevSecOps engineer can have.

Challenges DevSecOps Engineers Face

While DevSecOps brings huge advantages, the transition isn’t always smooth. Organizations often encounter challenges such as:

1. Lack of Executive Buy-In

Without leadership support, resources for security automation, training, and tooling may be limited.

2. Cultural Resistance

Developers and operations teams may resist new security requirements if they perceive them as slowing down productivity.

3. Skills Shortages

Finding professionals skilled in both development and security remains a global challenge.

4. Limited Tooling or Resources

Many organizations lack the automation tools needed to embed security across the entire pipeline.

These challenges highlight the importance of leadership, good communication, and—above all—automation.

The Growing Importance of Security Automation

One of the most powerful components of DevSecOps is automation. By automating repetitive or complex security tasks, teams can:

• identify vulnerabilities instantly,

• reduce human error,

• streamline compliance, and

• minimize bottlenecks.

Low-code and no-code automation platforms are increasingly popular, enabling teams to implement security processes without requiring deep programming expertise. Automation ensures that security is consistent, repeatable, and scalable—especially in fast-moving DevOps environments.

DevSecOps vs. DevOps vs. Cybersecurity Engineering

DevOps engineers focus on development speed, automation, and deployment pipelines.
DevSecOps engineers do all of that plus embed security into every stage.
Cybersecurity engineers focus more broadly on organizational security, threat detection, and incident response.

DevSecOps sits at the intersection of all three, making it an ideal career for those interested in both software development and cybersecurity.

Is DevSecOps a Good Career Path?

Absolutely. As cyber threats rise and software delivery accelerates, DevSecOps engineers are in high demand. Organizations of all sizes—startups, government agencies, and global enterprises—need professionals who can integrate security without slowing innovation. The role offers strong compensation, career growth, and opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion

DevSecOps represents the future of secure software development. By integrating development, operations, and security into a unified practice, organizations can deliver software faster while minimizing risk. DevSecOps engineers play a vital role in this transformation, combining technical expertise, security awareness, and automation skills to build resilient, secure modern applications.

As digital threats increase, the adoption of DevSecOps—and the need for skilled DevSecOps engineers—will only continue to grow.

DevSecOps Services with Btech

Enhance your application development process with DevSecOps services from Btech, designed to strengthen security at every stage of the software lifecycle while accelerating delivery. Through integrated workflows and advanced automation, Btech helps reduce vulnerabilities, optimize CI/CD pipelines, and ensure your environment remains compliant and protected from cyber threats. Trust Btech’s experienced team to provide modern, scalable, and business-focused DevSecOps solutions tailored to your needs. Contact Btech today at contact@btech.id or +62-811-1123-242 for more information and consultation.