Service FAQ
Get answers to common questions about our DevSecOps, cloud architecture, platform engineering, and compliance services.
DevSecOps Questions
What is DevSecOps and how is it different from DevOps?
DevSecOps integrates security practices into every phase of the software development lifecycle, while traditional DevOps focuses primarily on development and operations. DevSecOps adds automated security testing, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks directly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling teams to identify and fix security issues early without slowing down delivery.
How long does it take to implement DevSecOps?
A basic DevSecOps implementation typically takes 30-90 days, depending on your current infrastructure and team size. Week 1-2 focuses on critical security fixes and basic automation. Weeks 3-6 implement comprehensive security gates and monitoring. By week 12, you'll have a mature DevSecOps pipeline with automated security testing, compliance controls, and continuous monitoring.
What are the key benefits of DevSecOps for startups and SMBs?
DevSecOps delivers five key benefits for growing companies: 1) 3x faster secure deployments through automation, 2) 70% reduction in security incidents by catching vulnerabilities early, 3) 90% faster compliance certification (SOC 2, HIPAA, etc.), 4) Lower security costs by building protection in from the start, and 5) Ability to close enterprise deals that require security certifications.
What security tools are typically used in DevSecOps?
Common DevSecOps tools include: SAST tools (SonarQube, Checkmarx) for code analysis, DAST tools (OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite) for runtime testing, SCA tools (Snyk, WhiteSource) for dependency scanning, container security (Twistlock, Aqua), IaC security (Checkov, Terraform), and SIEM/monitoring tools (Splunk, ELK Stack). We help you select and integrate the right tools for your stack.
How much does DevSecOps implementation cost?
DevSecOps implementation costs vary based on company size and complexity. For startups (5-20 developers), expect $25-50K for initial setup including tools, training, and consulting. For SMBs (20-100 developers), budget $50-150K. This investment typically pays for itself within 6 months through faster deployments, fewer security incidents, and reduced compliance costs.
Can DevSecOps actually speed up development?
Yes, DevSecOps accelerates development by catching issues early when they're cheaper to fix. Teams using DevSecOps deploy 3x more frequently because security checks are automated, not manual bottlenecks. Developers spend 70% less time on security rework, and automated compliance controls eliminate weeks of audit preparation.
What are DORA metrics and how does DevSecOps improve them?
DORA metrics measure software delivery performance: Deployment Frequency, Lead Time for Changes, Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR), and Change Failure Rate. DevSecOps improves all four by automating security checks (faster deployments), catching issues early (lower failure rate), providing better monitoring (faster MTTR), and streamlining approvals (shorter lead time).
How does DevSecOps help with compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR)?
DevSecOps automates compliance by building required controls directly into your pipeline. Automated audit trails, access controls, encryption, and monitoring satisfy most compliance requirements. Continuous compliance monitoring ensures you stay compliant between audits. Most teams achieve SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance 90% faster with proper DevSecOps implementation.
Cloud Services Questions
What is the cost of cloud migration for SMBs?
Cloud migration costs for SMBs typically range from $25K-100K depending on complexity. This includes assessment ($5-10K), migration implementation ($15-50K), and optimization ($5-40K). Most SMBs see 30-50% operational cost savings within 12 months, making ROI positive quickly.
How long does cloud migration take for a typical SMB?
A typical cloud migration for SMBs takes 3-6 months. Phase 1 (assessment and planning) takes 2-4 weeks. Phase 2 (pilot migration) takes 4-6 weeks. Phase 3 (full migration) takes 6-12 weeks. Phase 4 (optimization) is ongoing. We use a phased approach to minimize business disruption.
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud - which is best for SMBs?
AWS offers the broadest service catalog and is ideal for most SMBs. Azure integrates seamlessly with Microsoft tools and is best for Windows-heavy environments. Google Cloud excels at data analytics and AI/ML workloads. We're certified in all three and recommend based on your specific needs, existing tools, and growth plans.
How can SMBs ensure cloud security and compliance?
Cloud security for SMBs requires: 1) Identity and access management (IAM) with MFA, 2) Data encryption at rest and in transit, 3) Network security with VPCs and firewalls, 4) Compliance frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR), 5) Regular security audits and monitoring. We build these controls into every cloud architecture from day one.
What are the hidden costs of cloud adoption?
Common hidden cloud costs include: data transfer fees (egress charges), idle resources, overprovisioned instances, storage sprawl, and lack of reserved instance planning. We help SMBs avoid these pitfalls through automated cost monitoring, right-sizing, and FinOps practices that typically save 30-40% on cloud bills.
Should SMBs use multi-cloud or single cloud strategy?
For most SMBs, we recommend starting with a single cloud provider to reduce complexity and costs. Multi-cloud makes sense when you have specific requirements: avoiding vendor lock-in, meeting compliance needs, or leveraging best-of-breed services. We design architectures that are cloud-portable even when using a single provider.
How do we handle cloud disasters and ensure business continuity?
Cloud disaster recovery for SMBs includes: automated backups across regions, defined RTO/RPO targets, infrastructure as code for quick rebuilds, runbook documentation, and regular disaster recovery testing. We implement solutions that balance cost with recovery speed, typically achieving 99.9% uptime for critical systems.
What cloud services do SMBs actually need?
Essential cloud services for SMBs typically include: compute (EC2/VMs), storage (S3/Blob), databases (RDS/Managed SQL), load balancing, CDN for web apps, backup/disaster recovery, monitoring, and security tools. We start with core services and add advanced features (AI/ML, IoT, analytics) as you grow.
Platform Engineering Questions
What is platform engineering and how does it differ from DevOps?
Platform engineering builds self-service infrastructure platforms that enable developers to deploy and manage applications independently. While DevOps brings development and operations together, platform engineering creates the tools and golden paths that allow hundreds of developers to work autonomously without needing deep infrastructure knowledge.
How long does it take to implement platform engineering?
Initial platform engineering implementation typically takes 3-6 months. Month 1-2 focuses on assessment and building core self-service capabilities. Months 3-4 implement golden paths and developer portals. Months 5-6 establish metrics and iterate based on developer feedback. The platform then evolves continuously based on team needs.
What are the costs of platform engineering for a 50-100 person engineering team?
For a 50-100 person engineering team, expect to invest $200K-500K in the first year. This includes platform team salaries (3-5 engineers), tooling costs ($50-100K), and consulting ($50-150K). ROI comes from 10x developer productivity improvements and 80% reduction in operational toil, typically saving $2-5M annually.
What tools are needed for platform engineering?
Essential platform engineering tools include: Kubernetes for container orchestration, Terraform or Crossplane for infrastructure as code, Backstage or Port for developer portals, ArgoCD for GitOps, Prometheus/Grafana for observability, and CI/CD platforms. We help you select and integrate the right tools for your scale and needs.
How do we measure platform engineering success?
Key metrics include: Developer satisfaction scores (NPS), self-service adoption rate (target >90%), time to provision infrastructure (minutes vs days), deployment frequency (10x improvement), MTTR (50% reduction), and operational toil reduction (80% target). We establish baselines and track improvements monthly.
What size company needs platform engineering?
Platform engineering becomes valuable when you have 20+ developers and critical at 50+. Signs you need it: developers waiting for infrastructure, repeated manual tasks, inconsistent environments, slow onboarding, or compliance challenges. Even smaller teams benefit from platform engineering principles and lightweight implementations.
How does platform engineering improve DORA metrics?
Platform engineering dramatically improves all DORA metrics: Deployment frequency increases 10x through self-service, lead time drops from days to hours with automated pipelines, MTTR improves 50% with better observability, and change failure rate drops 40% through standardized golden paths and testing.
What is a 'golden path' in platform engineering?
A golden path is a pre-configured, well-documented way to build and deploy applications that follows all best practices. It includes approved technology stacks, security configurations, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring setup, and deployment patterns. Developers can deviate when needed but the golden path handles 80% of use cases optimally.
CMMC Compliance Questions
What is CMMC and who needs it?
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a DoD requirement for all defense contractors. If you handle Federal Contract Information (FCI), you need Level 1. If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you need Level 2. All DoD contractors must be certified by 2025.
How long does CMMC certification take?
CMMC certification timeline varies by level and readiness. Level 1 typically takes 30-60 days. Level 2 takes 3-6 months for prepared organizations, 6-12 months if starting from scratch. This includes gap assessment (2-4 weeks), remediation (2-6 months), and formal assessment (2-4 weeks).
What does CMMC certification cost?
CMMC costs include: Gap assessment ($5K-15K), remediation implementation ($25K-100K depending on gaps), C3PAO assessment ($15K-50K for Level 2), and ongoing compliance ($10K-30K annually). Total first-year costs typically range from $50K-150K for Level 2 certification.
Can we self-assess for CMMC?
Level 1 allows self-assessment with annual affirmation. Level 2 has two paths: self-assessment with senior official affirmation for some contracts, or third-party C3PAO assessment for contracts requiring it. Level 3 always requires C3PAO assessment. Most CUI contracts will require third-party assessment.
What happens if we fail CMMC assessment?
If you fail CMMC assessment, the C3PAO provides a report detailing deficiencies. You must remediate all findings and can reassess after 90 days. During this time, you cannot bid on contracts requiring that CMMC level. We provide mock assessments to ensure you pass the first time.
How is CMMC different from NIST 800-171?
CMMC Level 2 aligns with NIST 800-171's 110 controls but adds: mandatory third-party assessment, 3-year certification validity, no POA&Ms (all controls must be fully implemented), and additional assessment objectives. CMMC also includes Level 1 (basic) and Level 3 (advanced) options.
Do subcontractors need CMMC certification?
Yes, CMMC flows down to all subcontractors handling FCI or CUI. Prime contractors must ensure subs have appropriate CMMC level before sharing covered information. This applies even to IT service providers, consultants, or anyone accessing covered defense information.
What are the 17 practices for CMMC Level 1?
CMMC Level 1 includes basic safeguarding practices: access control (4 practices), identification & authentication (2), media protection (1), physical protection (1), system & communications protection (2), system & information integrity (4), and organizational practices (3). These focus on protecting FCI only.
SOC 2 Compliance Questions
What is SOC 2 and why do startups need it?
SOC 2 is a security compliance framework that proves you protect customer data properly. Startups need it to: close enterprise deals (most require it), build customer trust, meet cyber insurance requirements, and establish security best practices. It's become table stakes for B2B SaaS companies.
How long does SOC 2 certification take?
SOC 2 Type I (point-in-time) takes 4-8 weeks. SOC 2 Type II (operational effectiveness over time) requires Type I plus 3-12 months of operation (6 months typical). Total timeline: 2-3 months preparation, Type I audit, 6 months operation, then Type II audit.
What does SOC 2 compliance cost?
SOC 2 costs include: preparation and gap remediation ($15K-40K), audit fees ($20K-50K for Type II), tools and software ($5K-20K annually), and ongoing compliance management ($10K-30K annually). Total first-year cost typically ranges from $50K-100K for startups.
What's the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
SOC 2 Type I verifies your controls are properly designed at a specific point in time. Type II verifies those controls operated effectively over a period (minimum 3 months, typically 6-12 months). Most customers require Type II as it proves ongoing security, not just good intentions.
Which SOC 2 trust services criteria should we include?
Security is mandatory for all SOC 2 reports. Common additions: Availability (for SaaS companies), Confidentiality (if handling sensitive data), Processing Integrity (for financial/healthcare), and Privacy (if processing personal data). Start with Security only, add others based on customer requirements.
Can we pass SOC 2 without dedicated security staff?
Yes, many startups pass SOC 2 without full-time security staff by: using security automation tools, outsourcing to consultants for initial setup, implementing strong policies and training, and using compliance management platforms. We help establish sustainable processes that don't require dedicated headcount.
How often do we need to renew SOC 2?
SOC 2 Type II reports are typically issued annually, covering a 12-month period. You'll need continuous monitoring and annual audits to maintain compliance. Some customers accept reports up to 18 months old, but annual renewal is best practice and often contractually required.
What controls are required for SOC 2?
SOC 2 doesn't mandate specific controls but requires addressing trust services criteria. Common controls include: access management, encryption, logging/monitoring, incident response, vendor management, HR security, physical security, and change management. Auditors assess if your controls effectively meet the criteria.
Still Have Questions?
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