Platform engineering has emerged as a crucial component of modern IT operations, as highlighted in Puppet’s State of DevOps Report for 2024. The report, based on a survey of over 600 IT professionals worldwide, sheds light on the increasing intersection between security and platform engineering. The findings reveal that platform engineering teams are assuming a more significant role in ensuring security within organizations, with tangible outcomes to show for it.
To fully grasp the significance of platform engineering, it is essential to understand its core function. Platform engineering teams are tasked with providing streamlined, self-service access to essential technologies for end-users, particularly software developers within organizations. These teams manage workflows, tools, and platforms to support developers in delivering projects efficiently and at speed. Whether part of operations, engineering, or product teams, platform engineers focus on meeting developers’ needs and enabling them to focus on their core tasks.
The rise of platform engineering is not a passing trend but a strategic imperative for organizations. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of global organizations will have dedicated platform engineering teams. The State of DevOps Report indicates that a significant portion of respondents have had platform teams in place for several years, with ongoing investments planned for the future.
The benefits of platform engineering are multifaceted. By reducing support requests to IT operations teams, platform engineering enables a shift towards proactive, strategic initiatives instead of reactive firefighting. Developers, in turn, can concentrate on their work, confident that the necessary resources are readily available without cumbersome searches or validation processes.
The impact of platform engineering extends beyond operational efficiency to encompass security and compliance considerations. With software development environments growing in complexity and scale, platform engineering teams act as a critical line of defense against potential vulnerabilities and security breaches. The survey results underscore a notable shift towards integrating security measures at the outset of platform strategies, with a majority of respondents highlighting improved security as a primary benefit of platform engineering.
The proactive approach to security embedded within platform engineering represents a paradigm shift in DevOps practices. By incorporating security measures from the inception of platform design, organizations can establish consistent security standards across their operations. Specialized platforms dedicated to security and compliance functions further enhance the efficacy of security management, allowing teams to focus on their core responsibilities without distractions.
As organizations embrace platform engineering as a key enabler of secure, compliant DevOps practices, the focus on continuous improvement and automation remains paramount. The trend towards automated patch management processes signifies a shift towards proactive, preemptive maintenance strategies to ensure system uptime and resilience.
In conclusion, platform engineering has evolved from a niche concept to a critical component of modern IT operations. The integration of security measures into platform design and the emphasis on continuous improvement underscore the growing importance of platform engineering in fostering secure, efficient DevOps practices. As organizations look towards the future, leveraging platform engineering capabilities will be essential in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of IT operations and security.