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In modern DevOps pipelines, integrating validation checks and continuous security validation is crucial for maintaining code quality and reducing risks. By embracing a shift-left strategy, teams can detect issues early—saving time and costs while enhancing overall security posture.

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Key Validation Points Across the DevOps Lifecycle

At every phase of the DevOps lifecycle, targeted validation steps provide rapid feedback. Early detection through IDE plugins or CI scans prevents defects from propagating downstream.
The image outlines key validation points in a software development process, highlighting stages like feedback, CI, development, and testing, with associated tasks such as code review, vulnerability scanning, and performance testing.
StageValidation ChecksExamples
IDE & Pull RequestsStatic analysis, peer code reviewESLint, SonarQube, GitHub/GitLab merge requests
Continuous IntegrationAutomated builds, unit & integration testsJenkins, Azure Pipelines, GitLab CI
Development PhaseSecurity scans, performance testingOWASP ZAP, SonarCloud, JMeter
Testing StagePenetration testing, infrastructure validationMetasploit, Terraform validate, Chef InSpec
Shifting validation left means catching issues in IDEs or CI—before they reach QA or production.

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The True Cost of Defects at Each Stage

Defect remediation cost escalates dramatically the later you catch it. Below are industry averages:
The image illustrates the cost of defects at different stages of software development: Coding (80/defect), Build (240/defect), QA & Security (960/defect), and Production (7,600/defect). It highlights the increasing cost of defects as they progress through the development lifecycle.
PhaseAverage Cost per Defect
Coding$80
Build$240
QA & Security$960
Production$7,600
Fixing a bug during development can cost up to 90% less than patching it in production.

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Shifting Security Left

Embedding security early in your DevOps pipeline empowers developers to remediate vulnerabilities before they become critical.
The image illustrates a process of continuous security validation, emphasizing the need to integrate security early in the development cycle to avoid issues before deployment to production. It shows a flow from coding to production with a focus on shifting security left.
Key benefits of shift-left security include:
  • Early detection of vulnerabilities in code and dependencies
  • Faster, automated remediation workflows
  • Significant cost savings per defect
Delaying security tests until the end of the pipeline can lead to critical vulnerabilities slipping into production.

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Continuous Security Validation and Automation

Automating security checks at every commit, build, and release ensures that security keeps pace with rapid deployments.
The image is about "Continuous Security Validation" and highlights the importance of shifting Secure DevOps practices earlier in the development process to reduce costs, and implementing automated tooling to identify issues.
Incorporate these automated security tools:
  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
  • Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
  • Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
  • Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)
Combine multiple tools in your CI/CD pipeline to cover code flaws, third-party risks, and runtime threats.

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