Elevating DevSecOps with Sonatype Lifecycle

With hundreds of repositories and numerous development teams working collaboratively, maintaining consistent security measures across the lifecycle proved daunting.

Key issues included siloed processes, time-consuming integrations, and inefficient vulnerability management. Developers often spent valuable time configuring security tools, addressing vulnerabilities that lack prioritization, and manually managing compliance processes. This inefficiency delayed builds, introduced security risks, and placed undue strain on the teams responsible for product security. Furthermore, the lack of integration between security tools and the overall CI/CD pipelines prevented early identification of vulnerabilities. 

Manual efforts in triaging and prioritizing risks slowed response times, leaving the organization more vulnerable. To remain competitive and secure in the rapidly evolving fintech sector, the company recognized the need for innovative, standardized, and automated solutions to address these pain points.

These enhancements aimed to streamline integration, automate critical processes, and foster a culture of early security adoption.

Standardized Sonatype DevSecOps Template

A GitLab-based Sonatype DevSecOps template was developed to make the integration of Sonatype scans seamless across repositories. By simply adding the template to their GitLab pipeline and specifying the application ID, developers could incorporate security scans in under three minutes per repository. This standardized approach ensured consistency across teams and simplified updates, as maintaining the template in one location automatically propagated changes across all repositories.

Trigger Pipeline Repository with Call Flow Analysis

Recognizing the need for visibility and control of build pipelines, the organization implemented a dedicated repository to manage scans with call flow analysis. This innovation allowed the security team to trigger scans in other repositories lacking recent builds or requiring reachability data refreshes. The call flow analysis further improved vulnerability assessments by offering insights into exploitability and reducing blind spots in the security framework.

The team automated triage workflows by creating a script that dynamically adjusted Jira ticket priorities based on reachability analysis and Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) scores. This allowed developers to focus on vulnerabilities posing the highest risk, resulting in faster response times and a more efficient remediation process.

Early Vulnerability Detection via Plugins and Integration with CI/CD Pipelines

Sonatype browser and IDE plugins were rolled out to developers, enabling real-time detection of vulnerabilities during the earliest stages of development. By addressing issues early, the organization minimized downstream risks and improved overall code quality. Beyond GitLab, the company successfully integrated Sonatype’s solutions into Jenkins and Azure environments via native plugins. This ensured robust and standardized security measures, regardless of the development platform. Security policies enforced in CI pipelines automatically blocked builds containing vulnerabilities, preventing insecure code from progressing further.

Significant Time and Cost Savings

Standardizing with the DevSecOps template led to a dramatic reduction in integration time—from hours or even days to just 2–3 minutes per repository. This efficiency freed up developers to focus on delivering features rather than configuring security workflows. Automation played a key role in reducing manual effort, particularly with Jira ticket triaging. The prioritization script redirected developer attention to the most critical vulnerabilities, allowing the security team to manage risks more effectively while avoiding excessive labor costs.

Enhanced Security Posture

The introduction of call flow analysis and automated vulnerability scans improved the organization’s ability to identify exploitable risks. Developers enabled by IDE and browser plugins began addressing vulnerabilities earlier, reducing downstream incidents and fortifying the codebase against threats.

Boosted Developer Productivity

Developers felt empowered with time-saving tools and early feedback mechanisms. This not only improved productivity but also bolstered morale, as teams spent less time on tedious configuration and manual processes.

Improved Compliance and Risk Management

The organization enforced robust CI pipeline policies, ensuring that builds were halted if vulnerabilities were detected. The inclusion of a waiver process and provisions for handling transitive dependencies added flexibility without compromising security standards.

Industry Leadership in DevSecOps

By pioneering a standardized and automated approach, the company positioned itself as a leader in the DevSecOps domain. Its innovative practices, such as centralized templates and vulnerability prioritization automation, have garnered attention as best-in-class solutions that could set a benchmarking standard for other organizations.

Key Takeaways

This financial technology corporation transformed its approach to DevSecOps with the implementation of Sonatype Lifecycle IQ Server and a suite of innovative measures. By focusing on automation, early detection, and seamless integration, the team mitigated risks while optimizing their workflows.

Through these efforts, the organization recorded valuable time and cost savings, improved developer productivity, and elevated security standards. The initiative not only delivered internal benefits but also contributed to the broader DevSecOps community by demonstrating the power of innovation and standardization in securing development pipelines. By leveraging the advanced capabilities of Sonatype Lifecycle IQ Server, the company is now well-positioned to lead the way in secure, efficient, and forward-thinking development practices for years to come.