role-based roadmap · Security
DevSecOps Roadmap
A beginner-to-job-ready path integrating security practices into DevOps pipelines, covering fundamentals, CI/CD security, cloud security, container hardening, threat modeling, and compliance automation.
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1. Stage 1: Foundations
Linux & Networking Basics
Core OS and network knowledge underpins all DevSecOps tooling
Version Control with Git
All secure pipelines start with auditable source control
DevOps Core Concepts
Understanding DevOps culture before layering in security is essential
Security Fundamentals (CIA Triad, OWASP Top 10)
Baseline security concepts frame every DevSecOps decision
2. Stage 2: CI/CD Pipeline Security
CI/CD with GitHub Actions
Most orgs use GitHub Actions; learning it is immediately employable
Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
Catching vulnerabilities at code commit prevents costly late-stage fixes
Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
Open-source dependencies are a leading attack surface in modern apps
Secrets Detection in Pipelines
Leaked credentials in repos cause the majority of cloud breaches
3. Stage 3: Infrastructure as Code & Cloud Security
Infrastructure as Code with Terraform
IaC enables consistent, auditable, and secure infrastructure provisioning
IaC Security Scanning (Checkov, tfsec)
Misconfigured IaC is a top cause of cloud security incidents
Cloud Security Fundamentals (AWS/GCP/Azure)
Most production workloads run in cloud; cloud-native security is mandatory
IAM & Least Privilege
Overpermissioned identities are the root cause of most cloud breaches
4. Stage 4: Container & Kubernetes Security
Docker Security
Containers are ubiquitous; insecure images introduce critical runtime risk
Container Image Scanning (Trivy, Snyk)
Scanning images in CI prevents vulnerable containers reaching production
Kubernetes Security
K8s misconfigurations expose clusters to lateral movement and data theft
Runtime Security with Falco
Runtime threat detection catches attacks that static scanning misses
5. Stage 5: Threat Modeling & Secure SDLC
Threat Modeling (STRIDE, PASTA)
Proactive threat modeling reduces design-level vulnerabilities systematically
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
DAST validates running apps for vulnerabilities missed by static analysis
Security as Code & Policy Enforcement
Codifying security policies ensures consistent enforcement across all teams
Shift-Left Security Culture
Embedding security early lowers cost and friction of remediation significantly
6. Stage 6: Compliance, Monitoring & Incident Response
Compliance Frameworks (SOC 2, PCI-DSS, NIST)
Employers require knowledge of frameworks to meet regulatory obligations
Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
Centralised log analysis is critical for detecting and responding to threats
Vulnerability Management & CVE Tracking
Systematic patching programs reduce exploitable attack surface over time
Incident Response Fundamentals
Knowing how to contain and recover from breaches is a core job skill
7. Stage 7: Certifications & Job Readiness
DevSecOps Certification (CDP or SC-100)
Industry certs validate skills to employers and accelerate hiring timelines
Building a DevSecOps Portfolio
Hands-on project evidence is more persuasive to hiring managers than certs alone
Capture The Flag & Hands-on Labs
CTF practice builds real attack/defense intuition employers test in interviews
Interview Preparation & Community
Knowing how to articulate DevSecOps decisions wins technical interviews