Service FAQ
Get answers to common questions about our DevSecOps, cloud architecture, 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 DevOps focuses on development and operations. It adds automated security testing, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks in CI/CD pipelines to catch issues early without slowing delivery.
How long does it take to implement DevSecOps?
A basic DevSecOps implementation typically takes 30-90 days, depending on infrastructure and team size. Initial weeks focus on critical security fixes and basic automation, followed by security gates, monitoring, and mature pipeline rollout by week 12.
What are the key benefits of DevSecOps for startups and SMBs?
DevSecOps delivers substantial benefits: faster, automated secure deployments; meaningful reduction in security rework; streamlined compliance preparation; lower overall security costs; and the ability to meet enterprise security requirements. Exact improvements vary by organisation.
What security tools are typically used in DevSecOps?
Common tools include SAST (SonarQube, Checkmarx), DAST (OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite), SCA (Snyk, WhiteSource), container security (Aqua, Twistlock), IaC scanning (Checkov), and SIEM/monitoring (Splunk, ELK).
How much does DevSecOps implementation cost?
Costs vary by company size and complexity. Investment covers tools, training, and consulting. Contact us for a tailored estimate--actual ROI depends on reduced incidents and faster deployments.
Can DevSecOps actually speed up development?
Yes--automating security checks removes manual bottlenecks, leading to more frequent releases and less rework. Organisations report significant improvements in deployment frequency and reduced remediation time when security is built in early.
Will DevSecOps slow down our deployments?
No. Properly implemented DevSecOps actually accelerates deployments by catching issues early when they're cheap to fix. Our clients typically see significant increases in deployment frequency after implementation.
Do we need to hire security engineers?
Not immediately. We design DevSecOps systems that your existing engineers can operate. Once you reach a certain scale (usually 30+ engineers), a dedicated security engineer becomes valuable, but we can bridge that gap in the meantime.
What if we already have some security tools?
Perfect. We'll evaluate what's working, optimize existing tools, fill gaps, and integrate everything into a cohesive workflow. We're tool-agnostic and focus on results, not replacing tools for the sake of it.
What are DORA metrics and how does DevSecOps improve them?
DORA metrics--Deployment Frequency, Lead Time for Changes, MTTR, and Change Failure Rate--measure delivery performance. DevSecOps boosts these by automating checks, catching issues earlier, improving monitoring, and streamlining approvals.
How does DevSecOps help with compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR)?
It embeds compliance controls--audit trails, access controls, encryption, and monitoring--directly into pipelines. Continuous compliance monitoring keeps you audit-ready, often reducing time to certification significantly.
Cloud Services Questions
What is the cost of cloud migration for SMBs?
SMB cloud migration costs depend on complexity and scope, covering assessment, migration, and optimization phases. Many SMBs see meaningful operational savings within a year. Contact us for a tailored estimate.
How long does cloud migration take for a typical SMB?
A 3-6 month timeline is common: assessment (2-4 weeks), pilot (4-6 weeks), full migration (6-12 weeks), and ongoing optimization.
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud-- which is best for SMBs?
AWS offers broad services; Azure integrates with Microsoft tools; Google Cloud excels at data analytics and ML. We evaluate existing tools, workloads, and growth plans to recommend the best fit.
How can SMBs ensure cloud security and compliance?
Essential controls include IAM with MFA, encryption, network segmentation, compliance frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA), and continuous auditing. We embed these in architectures from day one.
What are the hidden costs of cloud adoption?
Watch for egress fees, idle resources, overprovisioning, and storage sprawl. FinOps practices--cost monitoring and right-sizing--can meaningfully reduce cloud bills.
Should SMBs use a multi-cloud or single-cloud strategy?
Most start with one provider to minimize complexity and cost, yet design for portability. Multi-cloud is warranted when avoiding lock-in or meeting specific requirements.
How do we handle cloud disasters and ensure business continuity?
Implement multi-region backups, defined RTO/RPO, IaC for rapid rebuilds, runbooks, and regular DR tests. This approach helps achieve high availability for critical systems.
What cloud services do SMBs actually need?
Core services: compute, storage, managed databases, load balancing, CDN, backup, monitoring, and security. Advanced services--analytics, AI/ML--are added as you scale.
CMMC Compliance Questions
What is CMMC and who needs it?
CMMC is a DoD cybersecurity certification. Level 1 (15 requirements from FAR 52.204-21) covers FCI self-assessment; Level 2 (110 requirements) covers CUI with C3PAO assessment. All DoD contractors must certify by 2025.
How long does CMMC certification take?
Level 1 typically takes 30-60 days; Level 2 takes 3-6 months if readiness gaps are minor, 6-12 months from scratch. This spans gap assessment, remediation, and formal assessment.
What does CMMC certification cost?
CMMC costs span gap assessment, remediation, C3PAO assessment, and annual maintenance. Total first-year investment varies by Level and current maturity. Contact us for a scoped estimate based on your compliance posture.
Can we self-assess for CMMC?
Level 1 requires annual self-affirmation. Level 2 allows self-assessment for select contracts, though most CUI contracts require C3PAO assessment. Level 3 always requires third-party assessment.
What happens if we fail CMMC assessment?
A C3PAO failure report lists deficiencies. You must remediate and can retest after 90 days; until then, you cannot bid on contracts requiring that level. Mock assessments help ensure first-time pass.
How is CMMC different from NIST 800-171?
CMMC Level 2 aligns to NIST 800-171's 110 controls but adds mandatory third-party assessment, 3-year certification, no POA&Ms, and Level 1/3 distinctions beyond FAR requirements.
Do subcontractors need CMMC certification?
Yes--any subcontractor handling FCI/CUI must hold the appropriate CMMC level before receiving covered information. Primes must verify sub compliance.
What are the 17 practices for CMMC Level 1?
Level 1 maps 15 FAR safeguarding requirements into 17 assessment practices across 6 domains: Access Control, Identification & Authentication, Media Protection, Physical Protection, System & Communications Protection, and System & Information Integrity.
Why do some sources say CMMC Level 1 has 15 requirements while others say 17 practices?
FAR 52.204-21 defines 15 requirements; when mapped to NIST 800-171A for assessment, they expand into 17 practices. Both refer to the same Level 1 scope from different viewpoints.
Still Have Questions?
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