DevSecOps is an evolution of the DevOps methodology that embeds security practices into every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Unlike traditional development models where security is introduced at the end of the process, DevSecOps integrates it from the very beginning. This shift ensures that security is not an afterthought but a shared responsibility among development, operations, and security teams.
With the increasing complexity of software systems and a growing threat landscape, modern organizations cannot afford to delay security considerations. DevSecOps addresses this challenge by promoting automation, collaboration, and early detection of vulnerabilities. The goal is to deliver secure, high-quality software at speed, without compromising on compliance or performance.
To support organizations on their journey, the DevSecOps maturity model provides a structured framework. It enables assessment of current capabilities and outlines a clear path for improvement. By understanding the different stages of maturity, organizations can identify where they stand and what steps they need to take to improve their security posture.
The Importance of a DevSecOps Maturity Model
The DevSecOps maturity model is more than a checklist of best practices. It serves as a strategic roadmap for evolving security practices across development and operations. This model is especially useful for organizations seeking to enhance collaboration, reduce vulnerabilities, and deliver reliable software faster.
One of the main advantages of adopting a maturity model is clarity. It breaks down the broad concept of DevSecOps into actionable stages, helping teams pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. The model also promotes alignment across departments by offering a common language and framework. This alignment is crucial for scaling security practices across multiple teams and systems.
In today’s digital environment, where security breaches can have far-reaching consequences, adopting a maturity model helps reduce risk exposure. It fosters a culture of accountability, enabling teams to take ownership of security while continuing to innovate. The maturity model thus becomes an essential tool for organizations aiming to stay competitive and secure.
Overview of the DevSecOps Maturity Stages
The maturity model is typically divided into five progressive stages: Initial, Managed, Defined, Automated, and Optimized. Each stage represents a different level of security integration and operational maturity. As organizations move through these stages, they build stronger capabilities, better tooling, and more efficient workflows.
In this article, we will explore the first two stages in detail: Initial and Managed. These are the foundational phases where most organizations begin their journey. While they may seem basic, they are critical for setting the stage for more advanced practices.
Initial Stage – Reactive and Unstructured Security
At the Initial stage, security practices are informal, inconsistent, and often reactive. Development teams operate independently of security teams, and there is minimal coordination between departments. Security testing may occur, but usually late in the development cycle, often during or after deployment.
This stage is characterized by a lack of documented processes and little to no automation. When security incidents occur, teams respond in a crisis mode, applying patches or fixes without long-term strategies. This leads to inefficiencies, delays, and increased risk exposure.
Common Characteristics of the Initial Stage
- Security concerns are addressed only when necessary, typically after a breach or during compliance audits.
- Development, operations, and security teams work in silos with little collaboration.
- Manual testing and code reviews are the norm, often done inconsistently.
- Vulnerabilities are identified late, increasing the cost and time to resolve them.
- There is a lack of investment in security training or awareness for developers.
While the Initial stage may seem inadequate, it is a common starting point. Many organizations operate at this level due to legacy practices, lack of resources, or limited security expertise. Recognizing these limitations is the first step toward improvement.
Risks Associated with the Initial Stage
Operating at this level exposes the organization to several risks. Since vulnerabilities are often detected late, the likelihood of releasing insecure software increases. The absence of standardized processes makes it difficult to scale or replicate security efforts across teams.
Additionally, without formal collaboration, misunderstandings between departments can delay responses to incidents. Over time, this creates a culture where security is viewed as a bottleneck rather than a shared responsibility. As a result, organizations at the Initial stage often struggle to meet compliance requirements and industry standards.
Transitioning from Initial to Managed
To move beyond the Initial stage, organizations must begin establishing basic security processes and fostering collaboration. The focus should be on creating awareness, documenting practices, and introducing foundational tools that support repeatable workflows.
This transition requires buy-in from leadership as well as commitment from technical teams. Change management plays a significant role in ensuring that new practices are adopted consistently. While the shift may take time, it is essential for reducing vulnerabilities and building a culture of shared responsibility.
Managed Stage – Establishing Structure and Basic Controls
The Managed stage marks a significant improvement in security posture. Here, organizations begin to implement formal processes, tools, and policies that bring structure to their DevSecOps practices. Security is still not fully integrated, but efforts are made to ensure that it is no longer treated as an afterthought.
Teams start working together more closely, conducting regular meetings, and aligning on common goals. Basic security controls are put in place, such as access control, code reviews, and vulnerability scanning. These controls may not yet be automated, but they are consistent and trackable.
Common Characteristics of the Managed Stage
- Defined roles and responsibilities for development, security, and operations teams.
- Implementation of baseline security policies and procedures.
- Regular risk assessments and compliance audits to identify gaps.
- Introduction of security tools, such as static analysis scanners and dependency checkers.
- Periodic training programs for developers to raise security awareness.
The Managed stage is where teams begin to see the benefits of structured practices. While not yet optimized, workflows are more predictable, and vulnerabilities are detected earlier. This foundation paves the way for automation and deeper integration in later stages.
Challenges at the Managed Stage
Despite the improvements, organizations at this stage face several challenges. One common issue is inconsistency across teams. While some departments may adopt new practices quickly, others may lag behind due to legacy systems or resistance to change.
Another challenge is tool fragmentation. Organizations may experiment with various security tools, but without proper integration, these tools create data silos. This limits visibility and slows down the feedback loop, making it harder to respond to threats in real time.
There is also the risk of over-relying on manual processes. While these are a step up from ad hoc practices, they are prone to human error and scalability issues. Without automation, it becomes difficult to maintain consistency as the organization grows.
Key Objectives at the Managed Stage
To progress from Managed to higher maturity levels, organizations should focus on the following objectives:
- Standardize security policies across all teams and ensure they are followed consistently.
- Start automating repetitive security tasks to reduce human error and improve efficiency.
- Integrate security checks earlier in the development lifecycle to catch issues sooner.
- Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of security practices and identify areas for improvement.
- Encourage continuous learning through regular training and knowledge sharing.
Cultural Shifts Required
Transitioning from Initial to Managed involves more than just adopting tools or writing policies. It requires a cultural shift where security becomes everyone’s responsibility. Developers, operations staff, and security professionals must collaborate closely, sharing knowledge and aligning priorities.
Leadership plays a crucial role in supporting this transition. By allocating resources, setting expectations, and recognizing security efforts, leaders can foster a culture of accountability. This cultural foundation is essential for building sustainable security practices that will endure as the organization scales.
Benefits of Reaching the Managed Stage
Achieving the Managed stage offers several tangible benefits. Vulnerabilities are detected earlier, reducing the time and cost of remediation. Teams operate with more predictability, making it easier to plan releases and allocate resources. Compliance becomes more manageable, as policies and documentation are now in place.
More importantly, the Managed stage sets the stage for continuous improvement. With basic controls established, organizations can begin exploring automation, integrating security into CI/CD pipelines, and leveraging advanced monitoring tools. These enhancements lead to faster development cycles, reduced risk, and better alignment with business objectives.
Understanding and implementing the early stages of the DevSecOps maturity model is a vital step toward building a secure and resilient software delivery process. The journey from Initial to Managed requires commitment, collaboration, and strategic planning. While the process can be challenging, the benefits in terms of reduced vulnerabilities, improved compliance, and stronger team alignment make it a worthwhile investment.
By establishing foundational practices and encouraging a culture of shared responsibility, organizations position themselves for long-term success. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, those who take proactive steps today will be better prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow. The next step in the journey involves deeper integration and automation, which will be explored in the following discussion.
Strengthening Integration – Advancing Through the DevSecOps Maturity Model
As organizations progress beyond the foundational stages of DevSecOps maturity, the focus shifts from establishing basic security practices to integrating them more deeply and consistently within the development lifecycle. The transition from the Managed stage to the more mature Defined and Automated stages signifies a shift toward embedding security as a core element of DevOps workflows rather than treating it as a separate function.
At these intermediate levels of maturity, organizations begin formalizing their security procedures, using automation to reduce manual overhead, and encouraging seamless collaboration across teams. The payoff includes faster detection of vulnerabilities, fewer deployment delays, and more secure software delivery pipelines.
This article explores the Defined and Automated stages of the DevSecOps maturity model, examining their characteristics, challenges, and benefits. It provides actionable insights for organizations aiming to elevate their security practices and streamline their development processes.
Defined Stage – Formalizing and Standardizing Security Practices
The Defined stage represents a significant milestone in DevSecOps maturity. Here, organizations move beyond ad hoc or basic processes and begin documenting, standardizing, and enforcing security policies across teams. Security becomes an integrated part of the software development lifecycle, supported by defined roles, shared responsibilities, and consistent procedures.
Characteristics of the Defined Stage
- Clearly articulated security policies and processes are implemented and shared across departments.
- Security requirements are included in design documents, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
- Automated testing tools are introduced into the CI/CD pipeline to support consistency and speed.
- Security checkpoints are embedded at multiple stages of the SDLC, including planning, coding, testing, and release.
- Teams collaborate regularly through security-focused sprint planning and retrospectives.
At this stage, security is no longer seen as a hindrance. Instead, it becomes a design consideration, shaping architectural decisions and influencing how features are implemented. Development teams are empowered with the tools and knowledge to detect and remediate vulnerabilities early.
Implementing Policies and Standards
One of the most impactful practices in the Defined stage is the formal implementation of organization-wide security standards. These may include coding guidelines, access control measures, secure authentication protocols, and encryption policies.
To ensure these standards are followed, teams often establish governance frameworks or internal review boards. These bodies evaluate compliance, assess risk, and track adherence to established security controls.
Standardization also includes tool selection. Rather than using disparate tools across teams, organizations begin consolidating their security toolsets, ensuring consistency and reducing fragmentation. This enables better reporting, centralized monitoring, and smoother collaboration.
Enhancing Developer Involvement
A key cultural shift in this stage involves increasing developer ownership of security. Rather than relying solely on security teams, developers are encouraged to build secure code from the start. This is supported by:
- Security training tailored to developer roles.
- Integration of tools like static application security testing (SAST) in development environments.
- Access to threat modeling frameworks and secure design principles.
By equipping developers with the right tools and knowledge, security becomes a natural part of their workflow. This not only reduces rework but also fosters a proactive security mindset.
Challenges in the Defined Stage
Despite the progress made, organizations may still face challenges. These can include:
- Resistance to change, particularly in teams unfamiliar with secure development practices.
- Inconsistent adoption of policies across large or distributed teams.
- Tool overload if automation is introduced without clear objectives or integration plans.
Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of training, leadership support, and iterative improvements. Metrics and feedback loops should be used to measure effectiveness and drive continuous refinement.
Automated Stage – Seamless Security Integration in CI/CD Pipelines
The Automated stage marks a critical turning point in DevSecOps maturity. Here, security practices are not only standardized but are also fully automated and embedded throughout the software delivery process. This allows teams to identify and address issues in real time, reducing cycle times and enhancing software resilience.
Characteristics of the Automated Stage
- Security testing is integrated directly into the CI/CD pipeline, including SAST, DAST, software composition analysis (SCA), and container scanning.
- Vulnerabilities are flagged and remediated as part of routine builds and deployments.
- Role-based access controls, secrets management, and infrastructure security are automated and monitored continuously.
- Feedback loops provide immediate alerts, enabling faster decision-making and response.
- Dev, Sec, and Ops teams operate with shared visibility into pipeline performance and security posture.
Automation allows security to scale alongside development, supporting rapid release cycles without compromising on protection. This is particularly important in organizations practicing continuous delivery or deploying updates multiple times a day.
Toolchain Integration
A robust DevSecOps toolchain is essential at this stage. Common integrations include:
- Code Repositories: Tools that scan code for vulnerabilities during commits.
- Build Systems: Security checks during builds that can fail pipelines if thresholds are exceeded.
- Container Platforms: Image scanning for known vulnerabilities before containers are deployed.
- Monitoring Tools: Real-time observability of system behavior, performance, and threat detection.
The key to effective automation is choosing tools that integrate well with existing systems and provide actionable insights without overwhelming developers. Poorly configured tools can create alert fatigue and erode trust in the process.
Security as Code
One of the hallmarks of the Automated stage is the concept of “security as code.” This involves expressing security policies, controls, and configurations as version-controlled code artifacts that can be reviewed, tested, and deployed like any other code.
Examples include:
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with built-in security configurations.
- Policy-as-code tools that validate compliance before deployment.
- Automated scripts that rotate secrets or enforce encryption.
Security as code enhances transparency, traceability, and consistency. It also reduces human error and makes it easier to audit and verify security controls during deployments.
Benefits of Full Automation
Organizations that achieve this level of maturity experience significant benefits:
- Faster Time-to-Market: Automation reduces manual bottlenecks, enabling quicker releases.
- Improved Detection Rates: Integrated tools catch issues before they reach production.
- Reduced Remediation Costs: Fixing vulnerabilities early in development is more efficient and less costly.
- Better Collaboration: Shared visibility and workflows foster a culture of accountability and trust.
- Consistent Compliance: Automated checks ensure ongoing alignment with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
With security embedded into every aspect of the pipeline, teams can focus on delivering innovation with confidence.
Addressing Challenges at the Automated Stage
Despite the advantages, automation is not a silver bullet. Common challenges include:
- False positives or negatives in automated scans.
- Integration complexity across diverse toolsets.
- Overdependence on automation without manual validation.
- Difficulty adapting automation in legacy systems or hybrid environments.
To mitigate these issues, organizations must balance automation with oversight. Periodic manual reviews, security audits, and threat modeling should still be part of the process. Feedback from developers should also be used to fine-tune tools and reduce unnecessary noise.
Cultural and Organizational Transformation
As technical capabilities mature, cultural alignment becomes even more important. Automation alone cannot drive DevSecOps success; the organization must also embrace continuous learning, transparency, and collaboration.
This involves:
- Promoting cross-functional teams where security experts work alongside developers and operations staff.
- Establishing channels for open communication about security goals, risks, and priorities.
- Encouraging experimentation and innovation in security practices without fear of blame.
Leaders play a key role in this transformation by modeling desired behaviors, investing in training, and celebrating security wins. Over time, these cultural shifts lead to an organization where security is not just a function but a core value.
Measuring Progress and Maturity
As organizations evolve through the Defined and Automated stages, it becomes increasingly important to measure progress. Metrics provide visibility into what’s working and where improvements are needed.
Useful metrics include:
- Number of vulnerabilities detected vs. resolved within a time window.
- Mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to remediate (MTTR).
- Frequency of security-related build failures and their resolution rates.
- Developer participation in security reviews and training.
- Compliance with internal and external security standards.
These insights should be shared regularly with all stakeholders, not just security teams. Transparency drives accountability and fosters a shared commitment to improvement.
The journey through the Defined and Automated stages of the DevSecOps maturity model marks a period of transformation and opportunity. By formalizing policies, automating security tasks, and embedding controls into the CI/CD pipeline, organizations can dramatically improve their security posture while accelerating software delivery.
Reaching these levels requires more than technical solutions—it demands cultural alignment, leadership support, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By investing in the right practices and tools, organizations can build resilient, secure, and high-performing systems that are ready to meet the challenges of modern software development.
Driving Innovation – Reaching the Peak of DevSecOps Maturity
Achieving the highest levels of DevSecOps maturity signifies more than just technical competence—it reflects a transformation in culture, strategy, and execution. As organizations move past automation, they enter the Optimized stage, where security becomes deeply embedded in every aspect of development and operations. At this level, security practices are not just reactive or procedural; they are dynamic, data-driven, and predictive.
The Optimized stage is characterized by a continuous feedback loop, real-time threat intelligence, and a culture of innovation. Organizations that reach this point treat security as a competitive advantage, using advanced practices to anticipate threats and make informed decisions. This article explores the final phase of the DevSecOps maturity model, detailing the principles, practices, and benefits of optimization, and offers guidance on how to sustain progress in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Optimized Stage – Embedding Security as a Core Business Driver
At the Optimized stage, security is no longer a separate function or even an integrated process—it becomes a strategic business enabler. Security practices are continuously refined based on insights drawn from metrics, threat intelligence, and post-mortem analyses. Automation is advanced, orchestration is widespread, and innovation is constant.
This stage reflects a mature, proactive posture where organizations not only defend against known risks but actively seek out and address emerging vulnerabilities. Collaboration is seamless, roles are well-defined, and teams are empowered to make decisions autonomously with security top of mind.
Characteristics of the Optimized Stage
- Security is part of the organizational culture and driven by leadership at all levels.
- Continuous monitoring and self-healing systems are in place to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
- Metrics and KPIs are used strategically to optimize processes and guide security investments.
- Machine learning, AI, and behavior analytics are employed to predict and mitigate risks proactively.
- Cross-functional teams routinely engage in red teaming, chaos engineering, and incident simulations.
In this stage, security becomes a foundation for innovation rather than a constraint. Organizations can release products quickly without sacrificing integrity, and customers benefit from safer, more reliable digital experiences.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Optimization is a continuous process. At this level of maturity, organizations no longer rely solely on static rules or scheduled assessments. Instead, they implement mechanisms that drive constant improvement.
Advanced Feedback Loops
Every action within the DevSecOps ecosystem generates data—from code commits and build logs to runtime behavior and user interactions. Organizations at the Optimized stage harness this data to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and make informed adjustments.
- Metrics are monitored in real-time and mapped to strategic objectives.
- Incident data is reviewed to refine policies and tools.
- Developer feedback is incorporated into pipeline and toolchain improvements.
- Risk scores are assigned to assets, applications, and environments based on dynamic analysis.
These feedback loops ensure that the organization evolves with its environment, adapting quickly to new threats or changes in compliance requirements.
Threat Intelligence and Predictive Security
Reactive security is no longer sufficient in today’s threat landscape. In the Optimized stage, organizations leverage threat intelligence to stay ahead of attackers.
- Threat feeds and vulnerability databases are integrated into the CI/CD pipeline.
- Behavioral analytics detect anomalies based on historical patterns.
- Machine learning models predict potential attack vectors or system weaknesses.
- External intelligence is combined with internal telemetry to assess exposure and risk.
This proactive approach shifts the mindset from detection and response to anticipation and prevention, enabling teams to focus on innovation rather than firefighting.
Security Orchestration and Automation
While automation plays a key role in earlier stages, orchestration becomes central at the Optimized level. Orchestration involves coordinating multiple automated tasks, processes, and tools to work together seamlessly.
Examples include:
- Automated patching based on CVSS scores and business risk.
- Continuous compliance enforcement across multi-cloud environments.
- Role-based incident response workflows triggered by specific threat signatures.
- Integration of policy-as-code with IaC templates for end-to-end governance.
Security orchestration reduces complexity, improves response time, and ensures consistency across large, distributed systems.
Building a Culture of Security Excellence
Reaching the Optimized stage is not just a technical feat—it’s a cultural achievement. Teams must align on shared values, support continuous learning, and embrace accountability. Security becomes everyone’s responsibility, embedded into the way people think, design, and deliver.
Leadership and Vision
Strong leadership is essential to maintaining momentum. Leaders at the Optimized stage:
- Champion security as a business enabler, not just a cost center.
- Provide clear direction, goals, and support for ongoing improvement.
- Allocate resources strategically to high-impact areas.
- Model the behavior they expect from teams, including transparency and continuous learning.
Without executive buy-in and support, even the most advanced processes can stagnate.
Learning Organization Mindset
A mature DevSecOps organization thrives on learning. It encourages experimentation, tolerates failure when it leads to insights, and constantly questions the status quo.
- Post-incident reviews are blameless and focused on root causes.
- Developers receive ongoing training in secure coding, cloud security, and threat modeling.
- New tools and methods are piloted regularly with clear evaluation criteria.
- Security champions or ambassadors help promote awareness and drive adoption.
This environment ensures that teams are always improving, adapting, and growing stronger in the face of change.
Collaboration Across the Ecosystem
At this stage, boundaries between Dev, Sec, and Ops are not just blurred—they are transformed into unified workflows. Teams collaborate deeply and share ownership of outcomes.
- Security engineers are embedded in development squads.
- Operations teams provide feedback loops that inform code improvements.
- Developers engage in security design and architectural reviews.
This high level of collaboration ensures that no security concern goes unnoticed and that solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with business goals.
Measuring and Sustaining Maturity
Maturity is not static. Sustaining progress at the Optimized stage requires constant measurement, reflection, and evolution. Organizations must regularly assess their practices and benchmark themselves against internal goals and external standards.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
To stay on track, organizations should monitor KPIs aligned with security, speed, and quality:
- Percentage of builds with zero critical vulnerabilities
- Mean time to detect and respond to incidents
- Frequency and scope of security regressions
- Compliance coverage across environments and services
- Developer engagement in security activities
By analyzing trends in these metrics, organizations can identify areas for refinement and celebrate milestones of success.
Benchmarking and External Audits
Regular benchmarking helps organizations compare their maturity against peers and industry standards. This can involve:
- Third-party audits for compliance and operational excellence
- Participation in industry forums and knowledge-sharing communities
- Certification programs that validate DevSecOps capabilities
- Independent security assessments and penetration testing
These evaluations keep teams sharp and accountable while helping align practices with current best-in-class approaches.
Governance and Continuous Strategy Alignment
As maturity grows, governance must evolve. Rather than enforcing rigid policies, mature organizations adopt adaptive governance models that support flexibility and innovation.
- Policies are codified and embedded in toolchains, reducing friction.
- Governance teams work closely with product teams to ensure alignment.
- Security strategies are reviewed and updated regularly based on business objectives.
This ensures that DevSecOps continues to support—not hinder—the organization’s mission.
Future-Proofing DevSecOps
The final stage of maturity is not the end of the journey—it’s the launchpad for future innovation. Emerging trends such as zero trust architecture, edge computing, and generative AI will continue to shape the security landscape.
To future-proof DevSecOps, organizations must:
- Embrace modular, scalable architectures that support rapid adaptation.
- Integrate AI-driven decision-making into risk assessments and response strategies.
- Foster resilience by investing in systems that adapt under stress or attack.
- Build community connections to share insights, tools, and responses with others in the industry.
Security will remain a moving target, and staying agile is the best defense.
Conclusion
The Optimized stage of the DevSecOps maturity model represents the pinnacle of secure, agile, and high-performance software delivery. Organizations that reach this level have not only implemented best practices but have also embedded security into their DNA. They operate with foresight, adaptability, and a deep understanding of how security drives business value.
By leveraging automation, orchestration, predictive analytics, and cultural transformation, these organizations are prepared to navigate complex threats, rapid change, and increasing expectations. They treat security not as a barrier but as an accelerator of innovation, enabling them to build trust, gain competitive advantage, and deliver resilient digital experiences at scale.
The journey to DevSecOps maturity is ongoing, but each step forward brings new opportunities to improve, adapt, and lead. With the right mindset, tools, and leadership, organizations can not only secure their systems—but empower their people and unlock their full potential.