4 steps toward integrating genAI into DevSecOps processes

A hallmark of DevSecOps is that security is a shared responsibility. Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) can reinforce that principle by improving communication and collaboration. What’s more, by substituting automation for certain manual operations, genAI can significantly reduce human error and heighten product reliability.

Accelerating vulnerability remediation with genAI

Although the responsibilities of developers, security professionals, and operations teams overlap, their communications are often hampered by the inability to quickly grasp esoteric terms that are specific to each discipline. GenAI can act as a liaison, translating security concepts into language DevOps teams can understand and vice versa. When everyone is on the same page, collaboration is more effective. With less time lost due to confusion or misunderstandings, DevSecOps teams can devote more of their attention to strategic tasks such as vulnerability remediation.

GenAI offers significant benefits when fixing vulnerabilities. The technology can review code more thoroughly than humans can, identifying patterns that might not seem obvious. For example, a typical human reaction upon spotting a vulnerability is to comb the internet for relevant information, analyze findings to understand the potential impact, and use the insights gained to prioritize remediation efforts. GenAI can do that job much faster, and it can also find and evaluate vendor fixes and even generate scripts to improve on them.

Cybercriminals are enthusiastically using ChatGPT and similar tools to turn vulnerabilities into exploits much faster. It’s critical for DevSecOps teams to apply similar methods and protect their systems against evolving threats.

4 steps to genAI integration in DevSecOps

Organizations that are ready to apply genAI capabilities to vulnerability remediation in their DevSecOps processes can start developing plans according to four basic steps:

1. Assess the current DevSecOps framework. While the target areas may vary from one business to the next, genAI typically has the greatest impact on communication, collaboration, code review, and vulnerability management.
2. Incorporate genAI into existing workflows. Communication should come first, because without mutual understanding, collaboration may be weak. Next, genAI tools should be integrated into vulnerability detection, prioritization, and remediation processes.
3. Train genAI models on internal data. GenAI systems must be trained on trusted internal sources to maintain data security and privacy. Third-party systems that have the capability of exposing sensitive company information to the internet should be avoided.
4. Implement genAI–driven automation. GenAI can create and deploy scripts for remediating vulnerabilities, easing the burden on DevSecOps team members. Automated analysis of past actions and effective solutions can be invaluable aids in improving genAI recommendations for vulnerability fixes.

Learn more about ways to accelerate developer speed, while delivering reliability and security.  

Proactive security and accelerated processes

Taking a preemptive approach to vulnerability remediation is a surefire way to strengthen security and reliability. BMC Helix offers IT, security, and developer teams control over sources and model training, as well as highly useful histories of customers, events, and procedures relative to the DevSecOps environment. Automation reduces the likelihood of human error, and increased efficiency alleviates pressure on overburdened staff. BMC Helix offers an easily integrated solution toward future proofing any organization’s security posture.

Discover how generative AI is bringing DevSecOps to life. Visit here for more information or contact BMC.