NIST Special Publication 800-204D calls for GitOps approaches

By Andrew Martin

The velocity of software delivery is impacted by security concerns, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a beacon of guidance: NIST Special Publication 800-204D. This publication outlines the strategic importance of GitOps in enhancing the security posture of software supply chains integrated within DevSecOps Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

GitOps, a methodology reliant on Git as a single source of truth for declarative infrastructure and applications, is a key practice for achieving automation and precision in deployment processes. The publication delineates how GitOps facilitates:

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) management, enabling the predictable and secure deployment of resources
• Cluster configuration management and application, ensuring configurations are replicated and consistent across environments
• Automated deployment of containerized applications, streamlining the delivery process while enhancing security

Highlighting the essence of automation, NIST SP 800-204D establishes requirements such as:

• Avoidance of manual operations in favour of automation for task execution
• Preservation of data on released packages, maintaining a comprehensive log of module versions, configurations, and metadata
• Prohibition of runtime manual changes, encouraging changes to be made in code and incorporated into new releases
• Monitoring and remediation for configuration drift, advocating for automatic resyncing and notification for deviations

This publication underscores GitOps not only as an operational philosophy, but as a robust security framework for DevSecOps practices. The shift from manual interventions to automated, code-based processes marks a significant milestone in software supply chain security. Integrating GitOps practices within CI/CD pipelines is not merely beneficial; it’s pivotal for the survivability and integrity of modern software systems. It’s not just about remaining compliant; it’s about staying ahead and being able to respond to the evolving threat and compliance landscapes.

GitOps helps organisations to sculpt secure, resilient, and efficient development ecosystems. Deepen your understanding and application of GitOps in securing software supply chains with our experts with the ControlPlane Enterprise for Flux CD subscription.

ControlPlane is a long-term advocate and sponsor of NIST Special Publication 800-204D author Santiago Torres-Arias at Purdue University and collaborates with Frederick Kautz and our friends at TestifySec.