Over the past five years, the role of the DevSecOps Engineer has transformed dramatically. What began as an effort to simply add security checks to existing DevOps pipelines has evolved into a sophisticated, integrated discipline. Modern DevSecOps Engineers now design and implement proactive, AI-driven security measures across complex multi‑cloud and hybrid environments. This evolution—from basic vulnerability scanning and manual secure coding practices to continuous monitoring, automated threat detection, and zero‑trust architectures—reflects the industry’s growing emphasis on embedding security into every phase of the software delivery lifecycle.

2019–2020: Establishing Basic Security Integration

• Primary Tasks:

  • Incorporating basic security practices into existing DevOps pipelines
  • Performing static code analysis and vulnerability scans as supplementary steps
  • Introducing manual secure coding guidelines and early-stage security checks

• Required Skills:

  • Fundamental understanding of security principles (e.g., secure coding, vulnerability assessment)
  • Basic automation and scripting proficiency (using Shell, Python, etc.)
  • Familiarity with introductory security tools (SAST/DAST scanners, tools like OWASP ZAP)

• Overview:

  During these early years, organizations recognized that security could no longer be an afterthought. DevSecOps was emerging, with security measures slowly integrated into traditional DevOps processes.

2021: Embedding Security into the CI/CD Pipeline

• Primary Tasks:

  • Integrating automated security tests directly into CI/CD workflows
  • Implementing container vulnerability scanning and secure configuration management
  • Embedding compliance checks to ensure regulatory standards are met during deployments

• Required Skills:

  • Proficiency with container security tools (e.g., Anchore, Clair) and IaC security scanners (e.g., Checkov)
  • Solid understanding of cloud security practices for AWS, Azure, or GCP
  • Ability to automate security validations using CI/CD platforms

• Overview:

  The focus in 2021 shifted toward “shifting security left” by embedding it early in the development lifecycle, ensuring that every code commit was subject to automated security and compliance checks.

2022: Advancing Continuous Security and Compliance

• Primary Tasks:

  • Implementing continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities across applications and infrastructure
  • Integrating real‑time threat detection and automated remediation within the pipeline
  • Enhancing incident response through proactive risk assessments and compliance management

• Required Skills:

  • Expertise in security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) tools
  • Advanced knowledge of compliance frameworks and risk management practices
  • Familiarity with modern monitoring solutions (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack) tailored to security use cases

• Overview:

  In 2022, the role expanded from reactive security measures to proactive, continuous security—ensuring that as systems evolved, they remained secure and compliant without manual intervention.

2023: The Emergence of AI-Driven Security in Hybrid Environments

• Primary Tasks:
  • Managing end‑to‑end secure automation across multi‑cloud and hybrid infrastructures
  • Leveraging AI/ML techniques to predict vulnerabilities and detect anomalous behaviors
  • Implementing zero‑trust architectures and advanced security controls for containerized environments
• Required Skills:
  • Advanced coding and automation skills alongside deep security expertise
  • Familiarity with AI/ML-based security analytics and threat intelligence platforms
  • Ability to design and enforce robust container and microservices security