Introduction
Hi there! In 2025, DevSecOps—or making DevOps more secure—continues to evolve. Today, every app, website, and service needs speed, security, and reliability. With DevSecOps, development, security, and operations teams work closely together to deliver secure software faster.
This post will explain major 2025 DevSecOps trends using real-world examples and simple tips from companies like Datadog, GitHub, AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Whether you’re new to DevSecOps or just want a refresher, this article will break it all down.
1. Java Vulnerabilities and Third-Party Libraries
Java is one of the most popular programming languages globally, powering websites and apps like Amazon, Twitter, and LinkedIn. But here’s the problem: Java apps often rely on third-party libraries—pieces of code created by others to help Java work better. These libraries can introduce vulnerabilities or security risks. For example, Log4j, a popular Java library, had a vulnerability that put many Java applications at risk.
Example: How GitHub Secures Java Libraries
GitHub helps developers identify and fix vulnerabilities in third-party libraries. If GitHub finds a problem, it alerts developers and even suggests a solution to fix it! This makes it easier for teams to keep their code safe.
Key Tip: Use Vulnerability Scanning Tools
Tools like Snyk, GitHub Dependabot, and Sonatype Nexus can automatically check your code and libraries for security issues. They scan your Java app and flag risky libraries, so you can quickly replace or update them.
2. Short-Lived Credentials in CI/CD Pipelines
CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery) is how teams update code quickly and securely. But CI/CD needs access to the cloud, which requires credentials (like passwords). Short-lived credentials expire quickly, unlike traditional passwords, which stay valid until they’re reset. This makes them safer since they limit the time hackers have to use them if leaked.
Example: AWS and GitHub OpenID Connect
AWS and GitHub encourage the use of OpenID Connect (OIDC), which lets CI/CD pipelines get temporary credentials instead of storing passwords. These credentials automatically expire after each use, reducing the risk of them being stolen.
Key Tip: Switch to Short-Lived Credentials
Platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, GitHub, and GitLab support short-lived credentials. Enabling this feature in your pipeline setups can protect against leaks.
3. Prioritizing Vulnerabilities with Smart Ranking Systems
Not all vulnerabilities need to be fixed immediately. Prioritizing vulnerabilities means focusing on the most dangerous ones first. Tools like the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) help rank vulnerabilities based on their risk.
Example: Google Cloud’s EPSS for Smart Vulnerability Scoring
Google Cloud uses EPSS to sort vulnerabilities by severity. For example, if a vulnerability has been exploited in real-world attacks, it gets a high priority. If not, it’s considered low-risk and can wait.
Key Tip: Use EPSS to Rank Vulnerabilities
Tools like Google Cloud Security Command Center and Microsoft Defender prioritize vulnerabilities using similar systems. Start with those rated as “critical” or “high risk,” especially if they’re internet-facing.
4. Building Minimalist Containers for Security
Containers are virtual “boxes” that hold everything an app needs to run, making deployments faster and more reliable. But the bigger the container, the more chances it has for security flaws. Minimalist containers are lightweight, contain only necessary components, and reduce attack risk.
Example: Docker’s Alpine and Distroless Images
Docker offers Alpine Linux and distroless images as lightweight alternatives to full Linux images. They are small and fast, with fewer parts, which means fewer vulnerabilities.
Key Tip: Go Lightweight with Your Containers
Tools like Docker Hub and Google Container Registry offer minimalist images. When creating containers, choose lightweight options to keep them fast and secure.
5. Automating Deployments with Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) lets teams create cloud resources (like servers or databases) with code instead of clicking buttons. IaC tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, and Pulumi make cloud setups easy to reproduce and manage, while reducing human errors.
Example: Terraform’s Reproducible Infrastructure
Companies like HashiCorp provide Terraform, a popular IaC tool that allows you to write code to create cloud infrastructure. This makes sure your setup is the same every time you deploy, preventing mistakes.
Key Tip: Use IaC for Safe Deployments
AWS CloudFormation, Google Deployment Manager, and Azure ARM Templates are IaC tools that make cloud resources secure and standardized. Choose one that fits your cloud provider for smooth, secure setups.
6. Detecting and Managing Manual Actions (ClickOps)
Manual actions in cloud setups—sometimes called ClickOps—are human-triggered actions that can lead to errors. While some actions may be unavoidable, using too many manual steps increases security risks. It’s better to automate these processes.
Example: Datadog and Splunk’s Cloud Monitoring
Datadog and Splunk allow teams to track manual actions in the cloud. If someone makes a change outside the automated pipeline, these tools can flag it. This helps ensure manual actions are minimal and secure.
Key Tip: Monitor Manual Cloud Actions
Using Datadog, Splunk, or AWS CloudTrail, you can set alerts for manual actions in production. This way, you’ll know if someone makes a risky change.
7. Building Zero-Touch Production Environments
A zero-touch production environment means everything is automated, so humans don’t need to intervene. This reduces mistakes, improves security, and keeps production environments stable.
Example: Google Cloud Zero-Touch with Terraform
Google Cloud, paired with Terraform, allows teams to create production setups without manual steps. This means less risk of accidental misconfigurations and better security.
Key Tip: Implement Zero-Touch for Stable Production
Using tools like Google Cloud’s Cloud Build, Azure DevOps Pipelines, or AWS CodePipeline, you can automate nearly every aspect of your production. This reduces errors and makes the environment safer.
8. Using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) for Threat Detection
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools collect security data and alert you to potential threats. SIEM tools analyze logs, monitor user activity, and flag unusual events.
Example: Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel for Threat Detection
Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel are popular SIEM tools. They monitor cloud activity, looking for suspicious behavior like unusual login locations or access requests.
Key Tip: Use SIEM Tools for Proactive Monitoring
Popular SIEM tools like Microsoft Sentinel, Elastic SIEM, and Splunk help detect threats early. SIEM can give alerts based on specific patterns, like failed login attempts from unknown locations.
9. Monitoring Container Security with Scanning Tools
Container security is essential as containers become more common in DevOps. Container scanning tools check for vulnerabilities in the container images that hold your applications.
Example: Aqua Security and Google Cloud Container Scanning
Aqua Security and Google Cloud Container Analysis automatically scan container images for issues. They flag vulnerabilities and provide insights on how to fix them.
Key Tip: Regularly Scan Containers for Issues
Use tools like Aqua Security, Twistlock, or Clair to scan container images. Regular checks ensure you catch and fix issues before deploying to production.
10. Encouraging DevSecOps Culture Across Teams
Finally, DevSecOps is about more than tools; it’s a culture. Encouraging teams to think about security at every stage makes software safer and more resilient. Companies like Netflix and Spotify prioritize this culture to ensure security is everyone’s responsibility.
Example: Netflix’s Security Training Programs
Netflix offers security training to developers, encouraging them to write secure code and stay alert to threats. This approach makes everyone in the team a part of the security process.
Key Tip: Make Security Everyone’s Job
Create a DevSecOps culture by training developers, testers, and operations teams. Use security champions—team members who focus on security education—to keep the conversation going.
Conclusion
DevSecOps in 2025 is all about securing faster and smarter. Whether it’s short-lived credentials in CI/CD, container scanning for vulnerabilities, or infrastructure as code for stability, these trends make software safer. And with tools from Datadog, GitHub, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, every team can build security right into their process.
