Securing Your DevOps: Lessons from a Close Call

Recently, we faced a situation that highlighted just how important it is to secure our DevOps processes. A former developer tried to access our payment systems and internal data, which was a wake-up call about the risks of not having strong security measures in place. After doing some digging, we discovered this person had active accounts on several platforms, prompting us to take immediate action.

Key Security Steps:

1. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
   
   The first line of defence is always strong authentication. By enabling two-factor authentication across all critical accounts, you add an extra layer of security that makes unauthorised access much more difficult. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they won't be able to access your account without the second factor.

2. Limit Access and Use Role-Based Permissions:
   
   Not everyone on your team needs access to all areas of your system. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that developers and other team members only have access to the resources they need to do their jobs. This minimises the risk of misuse or accidental changes.

3. Regularly Audit Access Logs:
   
   Keep a close eye on who is accessing your systems. Regular audits of access logs can help you detect unusual activity early on. If something looks off, you can investigate and take action before any real damage is done.

4. Secure Data Collection:
   
   When gathering customer or internal data, use trusted services like Typeform for forms and integrate secure calendars directly into your website. This reduces the risk of spam or phishing attacks by ensuring that data collection is handled securely.

5. Report Suspicious Activity:
   
   In our case, we reported the developer's actions to platforms like Facebook, Fiverr, and Shopify, where they had active accounts. Reporting helps these platforms take necessary actions and prevents the individual from causing harm to others.

In the fast-paced world of digital development, security is something you can’t afford to overlook. By following these steps, you can protect your business, your clients, and your data from potential threats.

We'd love to hear how you secure your operations. Got any tips or experiences to share? Let's connect and keep the conversation going! Visit us at anagency.com.au to learn more about how we're fortifying digital security.