Building a Secure SDLC to Make DevSecOps a Daily Habit

In a world where security and development teams juggle countless priorities, building a secure SDLC must not take a backseat. It is not a luxury or an add-on but a fundamental practice that development organizations should incorporate into their daily operations—just like brushing your teeth. 

DevSecOps as Basic Hygiene 

During a recent episode of Strategy Next, Wabbi’s CEO Brittany Greenfield emphasized the importance of embedding good AppSec practices in the SDLC early and consistently. She compared cybersecurity to personal hygiene, stating, “Brushing your teeth every morning, right? You got to have good hygiene in place.” Just as skipping daily hygiene can lead to serious health issues, neglecting basic AppSec processes can expose businesses to preventable risks. 

Start with the Basics 

Integrating security into the SDLC does not have to be overly complex. Greenfield highlighted that organizations should begin with straightforward, effective measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). “It doesn’t have to be complex. Right? It means very simple things like MFA or hey, did somebody check that the software is working the way it’s supposed to.” Implementing such fundamental security protocols provides a strong foundation that can prevent major vulnerabilities from developing down the line. 

Early Implementation Prevents Future Chaos 

For organizations just getting started, cybersecurity might seem like a lower priority compared to product development, funding, or scaling. However, Greenfield warned that failing to address cybersecurity from the outset can have long-term consequences. “It will spiral out of control very, very quickly.” When AppSec is an afterthought, companies may find themselves dealing with breaches, compliance issues, and costly retroactive fixes that could have been avoided with basic preventive measures. 

Making DevSecOps a Daily Habit 

Here are four daily DevSecOps habits to keep security seamlessly integrated into development: 

• Risk-based Triage – Start the day by reviewing security alerts, prioritizing vulnerabilities based on risk, and ensuring critical issues are assigned for resolution. 

• Secure Code, Every Commit – Encourage developers to run automated security scans (SAST, DAST, SCA) as part of their workflow before pushing code. Security should be as routine as linting. 

• Check-in – Security isn’t a solo act. A quick sync between dev, sec, and ops teams—whether async or live—helps reinforce shared responsibility and alignment. 

• Micro-Learning Moments – Take 5-10 minutes to read up on emerging threats, security best practices, or compliance updates. Continuous learning keeps teams ahead of attackers.

   

Secure SDLC: A Long-Term Investment 

Cybersecurity is not something to be revisited only after an incident occurs—it should be a continuous, proactive effort. By prioritizing security from day one, organizations can build a resilient infrastructure that grows with them. 

DevSecOps is about consistency and vigilance. Simple, effective measures implemented early can prevent major problems in the future. Just like brushing your teeth, making cybersecurity a daily habit ensures a healthier, more secure organization. 

Listen to Wabbi CEO & Founder Brittany discuss this and more on the podcast Strategy Next.