Why Doesn't Your CI Pipeline Have Security Bug Testing?

Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) have transformed software engineering by enabling frequent, automated deployment of small code changes, yet application security has lagged behind, relying on outdated technologies and methods not suited for modern workflows. Traditional application security practices often prioritize identifying issues over resolving them, leading to long lists of vulnerabilities that are deprioritized in favor of new features, leaving developers to address security flaws in code they haven't worked on for extended periods. To address these challenges, a cultural and technological shift is needed, integrating security testing directly into CI/CD pipelines through tools that support developer-first security. These tools should include both Static Analysis Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Analysis Security Testing (DAST) to detect vulnerabilities in code and running applications, respectively, and should be chosen based on their compatibility with modern development paradigms and effectiveness in managing noise from false positives. Implementing these tools in a non-blocking manner initially allows teams to triage existing security issues while gradually fostering a culture where developers take ownership of fixing security bugs, supported by enhanced visibility and collaboration facilitated by tools like StackHawk and Snyk.