Rejoicehub LLP DevSecOps Implementation Guidelines

Security Integration Framework for Development Teams

Frontend • Backend • Quality Assurance • Project Management

Comprehensive Security Practices for Better Development Workflows

DevSecOps Overview

Definition

DevSecOps integrates security practices within the DevOps process. It involves creating a 'Security as Code' culture with ongoing, flexible collaboration between development, security, and operations teams.

Why DevSecOps Matters

Traditional Approach Challenges

Security implemented as an afterthought leads to expensive remediation, delayed releases, and increased vulnerability exposure. Security issues found in production cost 10x more to fix than during development.

DevSecOps Benefits

Proactive security integration reduces remediation costs, accelerates deployment cycles, and significantly decreases security incidents through automated prevention mechanisms.

83%

of security breaches are preventable with basic practices

60%

cost reduction when security is built-in

75%

faster remediation with integrated security

1. Secrets & Credentials Management

The Problem

Hardcoded credentials in source code, configuration files, or logs create immediate security vulnerabilities with potential for unauthorized system access.

                    Critical Example:

                    const config = {

                      dbUrl: "mongodb://admin:password123@prod-server.com:27017/db"

                    };

                    // This configuration exposes production database credentials

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Never include secrets in JavaScript bundles	Use .env with Vite/Next and configure .gitignore
Backend	Do not hardcode API keys, tokens, DB credentials	Store in .env files; load with dotenv
QA	Avoid writing test scripts that include secrets	Use test environments with mock secrets
PM	Track where secrets are stored	Maintain shared secure document with secret locations

Solutions

Use .env files locally for development
Share the production secrets using Lastpass. Never share secrets over chat or email
DevOps will use GitHub secret for production releases

2. AWS S3 & File Storage Security

The Problem

S3 buckets accidentally made public allow unauthorized access to sensitive files.

                    Vulnerability Example:

                    User uploads resume; anyone can download it using direct link:

                    https://mybucket.s3.amazonaws.com/resumes/user-resume.pdf

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Use presigned URLs for uploads/downloads	Never hardcode S3 URLs in application
Backend	Set S3 ACL to private; Use pre-signed URL logic	Validate file access permissions
QA	Confirm file access control in tests	Try direct access to file URL (should fail)
PM	Ensure security is defined in storage requirements	Specify "private + presigned" in documentation

Solutions

Use AWS SDK and generate presigned url from backend that can be used by Frontend
DevOps will validate permissions manually on S3 console

3. Docker & Container Security

The Problem

Containers run as root or are too bloated with unnecessary tools.

                    Bad Example:

                    FROM ubuntu:latest

                    RUN apt-get install -y python3 nodejs npm curl wget git vim

                    USER root

                    # Large attack surface with root access

Secure Container Configuration

                    Good Example:

                    FROM python:3.11-slim

                    RUN adduser --disabled-password appuser

                    USER appuser

                    COPY --chown=appuser:appuser . /app

                    # Minimal base with non-root user

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Backend	Use minimal base images	Use python:3.11-slim, avoid root users
Frontend	Add .dockerignore to skip node_modules	Keep image size small
QA	Use containers that mimic production	Confirm images are updated regularly
PM	Track Dockerfile security issues	Include container scan task in backlog

Solutions

Use free Docker scanning tools like Trivy
Avoid root in Dockerfile: USER appuser
Docker Scout for built-in security analysis

4. Dependency Security Management

The Problem

Vulnerabilities in outdated libraries go unnoticed.

                    Example:
                    moment.js with known security vulnerabilities

                    Outdated Express.js with security patches available
                

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Use npm audit fix regularly	Lock versions in package-lock.json
Backend	Use pip-audit, npm audit tools	Keep dependencies minimal
QA	Confirm version changes don't break tests	Run tests after dependency updates
PM	Plan dependency reviews during sprint planning	Timebox monthly dependency updates

Solutions

npm audit / pip-audit (built-in tools)

5. Authentication Security

The Problem

Insecure password storage or token management.

                    Bad Examples:

                    Passwords stored in plaintext

                    JWTs stored in localStorage (XSS vulnerable)

                    Tokens that never expire

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Store JWTs in HttpOnly cookies	Never use localStorage for tokens
Backend	Use bcrypt, argon2 for passwords	Set short token expiry (15-60 min)
QA	Validate token expiration, logout, invalidation	Test access after logout
PM	Define auth requirements early	Include token expiration in documentation

Solutions

Use jsonwebtoken, bcryptjs, express-session libraries
Implement token expiry & refresh flow securely
Passport.js for authentication strategies

6. API & Endpoint Security

The Problem

Input not validated; APIs not rate-limited or exposed without authorization.

                    Example:

                    /admin/delete-user accessible without authentication

                    No input validation leading to SQL injection

                    No rate limiting allowing DDoS attacks

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Don't expose internal API routes	Use environment switching for staging/prod
Backend	Validate all input using Joi, Pydantic	Implement rate-limiting middleware
QA	Attempt invalid inputs, boundary tests	Test admin API access control
PM	Define rate-limit and validation policies	Include security requirements in API specs

7. File Upload Security

The Problem

Users upload malicious files that can execute on server.

                    Attack Example:

                    .php file renamed as .jpg gets uploaded

                    File executes when accessed directly

                    Server becomes compromised

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Validate file types and sizes client-side	Limit size to 5MB unless needed
Backend	Validate MIME types, file size server-side	Store in private storage only
QA	Test with invalid file types or oversized uploads	Try bypassing upload limits
PM	Define allowed file types and sizes	Include file security in feature documentation

Solutions

Store in S3/MinIO with private access only
Allow access via pre-signed links only
Use Multer for secure file upload handling

8. Logging & Debugging Security

The Problem

Sensitive data exposed in logs and debug output.

                    Dangerous Examples:

                    console.log("User login:", {email, password, token})

                    logger.info("SQL:", query + userInput)

                    Passwords and tokens logged during signup/login

Role	Responsibility	Recommended Practice
Frontend	Avoid logging sensitive data in console	Use production build without debug logs
Backend	Filter passwords, tokens from logs	Use structured logging with level filtering
QA	Check logs don't contain sensitive data	Review application logs during testing
PM	Define what should NOT be logged	Include logging security in requirements

Solutions

Use Winston, Pino for structured logging
Implement log sanitization functions
Separate debug and production log levels