CI/CD Pipeline

A CI/CD pipeline is an automated process for taking code from a developer’s laptop and safely shipping it to users. It builds the code, tests it, and deploys it without relying on manual steps.

You can think of it like a software assembly line. Rather than people handing off code and hoping nothing goes wrong, the pipeline checks everything automatically every time.

TL;DR

• What it is: An automated process for shipping new versions of software.
• The problem: Manual releases are slow, error-prone, and often skip security checks.
• The fix: CI/CD automates the build, test, and deploy process, enabling teams to release faster and with more confidence.
• Why security cares: It lets teams catch security vulnerabilities early, not right before production.

What is a CI/CD Pipeline?

A CI/CD pipeline is the path your code takes from being written to being used by real customers.

It has two main parts:

1. Continuous Integration (CI)

Developers push code changes often. Every time they do, the pipeline automatically builds the app and runs tests to make sure the new code doesn’t break anything.

2. Continuous Delivery / Deployment (CD)

Once the code passes those checks, it’s prepared for release, or deployed straight to production.

• Delivery: Code is ready, but someone clicks “approve.”
• Deployment: Code goes live automatically.

Where “Shift Left” Security Fits In

This is where security moves earlier in the process. Instead of finding problems after the app is live, security checks run inside the pipeline while the code is still being written.

This means things like hardcoded secrets or risky libraries are found early, when they are cheaper and easier to fix.

How a CI/CD Pipeline Works (Step by Step)

Most pipelines follow the identical flow:

1. Source: A developer pushes code to GitHub or GitLab.
2. Build: The app is built, and dependencies are installed.
3. Test: Automated tests run, including security checks.
4. Staging: The app is deployed to a test environment that looks like production.
5. Production: The app is released to real users.

If something goes wrong at any step, the pipeline stops.

Related Terms

• DevSecOps
• Shift Left Security
• SAST vs DAST
• Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

FAQ

What’s the difference between Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment?

• Continuous Delivery: Everything is automated, but a human approves the final release.
• Continuous Deployment: No human approval. If tests pass, the code goes live automatically.

Why is CI/CD important for DevSecOps?

Because it turns security into a routine check instead of a last-minute blocker. Security tools run automatically on every change, so problems are found early and fixed faster.

What are common CI/CD tools?

Some popular ones are Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, and Azure DevOps. They handle running the scripts that build, test, and deploy your code.

Can a CI/CD pipeline fail?

Yes, and that’s actually a good thing. If a test fails or a security issue is found, the pipeline stops. This keeps broken or insecure code from reaching users.

How does CI/CD improve code quality?

Because every change is tested right away. Bugs are caught minutes after they’re introduced, not weeks later. This keeps the main codebase stable and reduces the time it takes to fix problems.