The Department of Defense (DoD) has a long-standing reputation for leading innovation in technology and security. Recently, the DoD has partnered with the Linux Foundation and Cloud Native Computing Foundation to build their end-to-end DevSecOps stack using Kubernetes and Istio. But how did they achieve this feat, and what lessons can be learned from their approach?

One of the critical challenges the DoD faced was moving at the pace of relevance while ensuring that security was baked-in continuously. The solution was to adopt a zero-trust security model, where access to all resources is restricted and granted only on a need-to-know basis. This approach helped to reduce the attack surface, minimise the risk of lateral movement, and ensure that security remained a top priority at every stage of the development process.

Another critical component of the DoD’s DevSecOps strategy was implementing data-centricity and labelling down to the cell level across large organisations. This approach enabled them to track and secure data as it moved through the development pipeline, from creation to deployment. By integrating security at every step of the process, the DoD was able to minimise the risk of vulnerabilities being introduced during development, which attackers could potentially exploit.

Finally, the DoD recognised the importance of partnering with the open-source community to achieve its goals. By working with the Linux Foundation and Cloud Native Computing Foundation, they were able to tap into a vast pool of expertise and resources, helping to accelerate the development of their DevSecOps stack. This approach not only helped to ensure that the DoD had access to the latest technology and best practices but also helped to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within the organisation.