Security teams that understand, adopt, and optimize the developer tool DevX are likely to collaborate better. Moreover, there will be a special focus on eliminating friction losses. Friction causes things to take longer and cost more, lengthens learning cycles, and leads to frustration. Less friction will lead to things running much more smoothly in general.
However, sometimes friction is also necessary and should be intentional. An example is a mandatory code review of critical code before it is merged. If this interruption, review, and merge is based on a conscious decision, it is justified, conscious friction. If the IT security team seeks friction losses in the developer release process, they should be based on specific requirements, such as a compliance check that mandates a manual review as part of change management. These controls should not be implemented thoughtlessly. The friction losses incurred by developers represent disadvantages that could outweigh any undefined risks considered by the IT security team.
IT security teams that prioritize the developer experience must understand the tools and processes required for writing quality software at different levels of the stack. Embracing this mindset, where the developer is at the forefront, may require knowledge in infrastructure or platform engineering. On the other hand, the output of an IT security engineering team can impact others who are also involved in automating workflows, connecting services together, and essentially jointly instrumenting an increasingly large environment. All of this work helps developers work faster and with less friction losses. The result is increased flexibility and faster deployment. Regardless, this is a characteristic and a guide from which a security engineering team benefits in their productivity and promotes and nurtures the empathy of those it serves.
In conclusion, considering the developer experience in the realm of IT security is crucial for fostering collaboration, efficiency, and overall success in software development. Understanding and optimizing tools like DevX can lead to better teamwork, smoother processes, and ultimately, a more productive and empathetic work environment. By prioritizing the developer and embracing a mindset of reducing friction losses where necessary, security teams can create a more streamlined and effective approach to cybersecurity. This approach not only benefits the developers but also enhances the overall performance of the organization as a whole.