How to Become a DevSecOps Consultant: Skills, Career Path, and Job Role 

The DevOps market surpassed USD 8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2023 to 2032, influenced by the demand to shorten software development lifecycles (SDLC) and speed up their delivery process (Global Market Insights, 2023). DevOps streamlines everything from code creation to deployment, delivering the best quality software.

However, as digital threats evolve, integrating security within the software development process is crucial. This is where DevSecOps consultants come in. DevSecOps, which stands for Development, Security, and Operations, integrates security testing into the various stages of the DevOps process, ensuring that security is a continuous responsibility throughout the SDLC.

By promoting collaboration between developers, security experts, and other team members, along with consistently embedding security practices, DevSecOps helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to create secure and well-rounded software.

Who Is a DevSecOps Consultant?

A DevSecOps consultant specializes in addressing critical security aspects of DevOps and modern software development frameworks. They play a pivotal role in integrating security practices into the DevOps pipeline, ensuring that security is embedded throughout the SDLC to minimize vulnerabilities and risks. Their expertise encompasses knowledge of automation tools, security testing methodologies, and regulatory requirements. DevSecOps consultants collaborate closely with both DevOps and the security teams, driving security enhancements with effective planning and outcome analysis.

Now that we have a basic understanding, let’s explore their key roles and responsibilities in more detail.

The Key Roles and Responsibilities of a DevSecOps Consultant

The DevSecOps consultant majorly contributes to DevOps processes and modern software architectures, particularly within CI/CD pipelines and production runtime environments. Typically, individuals who pursue a career as a DevSecOps consultant have a strong background in software development, IT operations, and cybersecurity. Their everyday tasks and major roles and responsibilities revolve around the following areas:

• Leveraging security tools in the DevOps and security domains, ensuring their effective implementation and utilization.
• Embedding security practices and tools seamlessly into the SDLC to enhance overall security.
• Automating development pipelines while focusing on critical measures for overall security validation and testing.
• Training teams in top security practices, ensuring everyone understands their role in keeping systems secure.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance by adhering to established security standards and guidelines.
• Promoting a cooperative approach to security management and bringing together cross-functional teams.
• Advising on secure development and operational practices, helping to implement the best tactics.

Integrating Security Across the DevOps Pipeline

DevSecOps consultants are important in the SDLC as they embed security practices at every stage of development, from planning to post-deployment. They conduct thorough risk assessments, automate security testing, perform code reviews, and detect threats. They also utilize specific tools and technologies to implement security controls appropriately. Additionally, they offer significant insights into the best practices and compliance requirements, emphasizing that security is a fundamental part of the SDLC. This holistic approach enhances the security framework of applications and systems while promoting security awareness and teamwork throughout.

The Must-Have Skills for Becoming a DevSecOps Consultant

To excel in the role, the consultant should be proficient in diverse skills that span across development, operations, and security. A few of them include:

• Automation Skills and Expertise: A DevSecOps consultant should be well-versed in diverse automation tools and frameworks, such as Jenkins, Ansible, etc., for quick and reliable development and deployment within CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with Coding Principles: A solid foothold in coding and scripting languages such as Java, Python, Bash, Shell, etc., is essential for writing code as solutions to automate pipeline stages and optimize the team’s overall workflow.
• Knowledge of Security Testing: Expertise in security testing methodologies, along with knowledge of relevant penetration testing and continuous security testing tools, aids in delivering end products quickly while ensuring high software quality.
• Understanding of DevOps Tools and Technologies: Expertise in DevOps tools and technologies such as GitLab CI, Docker, Kubernetes, and more supports a hassle-free integration of security measures into the DevOps pipeline.
• Compliance and Regulatory Awareness: Awareness of important industry standards and requirements, like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2, is crucial for ensuring security practices meet legal and industry benchmarks.
• Collaboration and Communication: Dedicated teamwork, effective communication skills, and strong collaboration with cross-functional team members are significant to achieving security goals and promoting a well-rounded security culture.
• Continuous Upgradation and Learning: Staying updated on the latest security trends, tools, technologies, and advancements and continuously learning and upgrading skills are essential to succeed as a DevSecOps consultant.

Career Path

Becoming a DevSecOps consultant is a step-by-step process that involves gaining education, hands-on experience, and specialized training through professional certifications. As of 2024, around 47% of organizations reported utilizing DevOps or DevSecOps practices for software development. The main reasons included (Vailshery, 2024):

• Quicker time to market
• Improved security
• Enhanced code quality
• Better collaboration with developers

Here is a career roadmap that you need to be aware of to start your career journey in this field:

Prerequisites

A degree in computer science, information technology, or a similar field is necessary. This enhances technical skills and imparts a firm grasp of both development and security practices. Having advanced degrees or certifications can prove extremely beneficial.

Education and Training

Many professionals succeed through self-study and practical exposure to hands-on experience. Strengthen your understanding of DevSecOps fundamentals by taking online courses, contributing to open-source projects, enrolling in internships, or attending boot camps. Additionally, gain professional training by earning specialized certifications to further your career.

Scope for Advancement

Career progression within the DevSecOps field offers numerous opportunities for growth and specialization, along with remunerative benefits. The average annual salary for a DevOps consultant in the USA is $130,288 (Talent.com). Professionals can advance to senior roles within consulting firms, where they may lead large-scale security projects and supervise junior consultants. Some choose to become independent consultants and offer their insights to diverse organizations. Career paths include roles like DevOps engineer, DevOps architect, and more.

Advance Your Career with the E|CDE Certification

The EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (E|CDE) is an intensive, hands-on certification designed to equip professionals with essential DevSecOps skills. With over 70% of the curriculum devoted to practical lab training, the program enables participants to master key areas such as securing applications and infrastructure across on-premises and cloud-native platforms.

The E|CDE offers in-depth training on leading cloud platforms (AWS and Azure) and industry tools. It integrates theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, providing over 80 labs that simulate dynamic DevSecOps environments across both on-premises and cloud-native platforms.

Tailored for aspiring DevSecOps consultants, DevOps engineers, and security professionals, the program emphasizes integrating security into every stage of the DevOps lifecycle—from coding and building to deployment and continuous monitoring.

Becoming a DevSecOps consultant is a promising and challenging career, combining development, security, and operations expertise. To thrive in this role, you must build a solid foundation in DevSecOps principles, gain hands-on experience, and earn relevant certifications. All these skill sets collectively can help position you as a valuable DevSecOps consultant, promoting secure and efficient software development practices.

References

Global Market Insights. (2023, May). DevOps Market Size by Component (Solution [Management DevOps, Delivery DevOps, Operation DevOps], Service [Professional Service, Managed Service]), By Deployment Model (On-premise, Cloud), By Organization, Application & Global Forecast, 2023 – 2032. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/devops-market

Talent.com. DevOps consultant salary in the United States. https://www.talent.com/salary?job=devops+consultant

Vailshery, L. S. (2024, July 25). Software development methodologies practiced worldwide 2022. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1233917/software-development-methodologies-practiced/