DevSecOps Best Practices with Ansible

1. Introduction

DevSecOps integrates security practices within the DevOps process. This lesson covers best practices for implementing DevSecOps using Ansible, an automation tool that helps in configuration management, application deployment, and task automation.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 What is Ansible?

Ansible is an open-source automation tool that simplifies the process of managing servers and applications through code. It uses a simple syntax called YAML (Yet Another Markup Language).

2.2 What is DevSecOps?

DevSecOps is a culture and practice that integrates security into every aspect of the software development lifecycle, ensuring that security is a shared responsibility from development to operations.

3. Best Practices

3.1 Automate Security Scanning

Integrate security scanning tools into your CI/CD pipeline. Use Ansible to automate the installation and execution of these tools.

Tip: Use tools like OWASP ZAP or Snyk for vulnerability scanning.

3.2 Configuration Management

Ensure that your servers are configured securely by using Ansible playbooks to enforce security policies.

Example Playbook:


- hosts: webservers
  tasks:
    - name: Ensure the latest security updates are installed
      apt:
        upgrade: dist
        update_cache: yes
    - name: Install Fail2Ban
      apt:
        name: fail2ban
        state: present

3.3 Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Use Ansible to define your infrastructure as code. This makes it easier to maintain and audit changes.

4. Code Examples

4.1 Example: Securing SSH Access

This playbook ensures that SSH is configured securely.


- hosts: all
  tasks:
    - name: Ensure SSH is installed
      apt:
        name: openssh-server
        state: present

    - name: Configure SSH daemon
      lineinfile:
        path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
        regexp: '^PermitRootLogin'
        line: 'PermitRootLogin no'
        notify:
          - restart ssh

  handlers:
    - name: restart ssh
      service:
        name: ssh
        state: restarted

5. FAQ

What tools can be integrated with Ansible for security?

Common tools include OWASP ZAP, Snyk, and Aqua Security for container scans.

How can I test my Ansible playbooks for security?

Use tools like Ansible Lint and Molecule to test playbooks for best practices and potential vulnerabilities.