DevSecOps is one of the fastest-growing career paths in tech. It merges development, security, and operations – offering a unique opportunity for those in traditional IT roles (like software engineers, QA analysts, or system administrators) to level up. The demand is surging: DevSecOps engineers are projected to see job growth of 37% from 2020 to 2030, and cybersecurity roles overall have near-zero unemployment with millions of opening.
With companies willing to pay top dollar for DevSecOps talent, transitioning into this field can significantly boost your career prospects and salary. Best of all, Refonte Learning and other upskilling platforms have made it easier than ever to acquire DevSecOps skills through online courses and internships.
If you’re considering a move, this guide will show you how to leverage your IT, QA, or SysAdmin background to become a DevSecOps specialist.
Transition from SysAdmin to DevSecOps: Leveraging Your IT Operations Skills
System administrators (and related IT ops professionals) already have a strong foundation for DevSecOps. As a SysAdmin, you’re comfortable with servers, networks, automation scripts, and cloud services – all of which are directly applicable in a DevSecOps role. To transition from SysAdmin to DevSecOps, start by building on your existing strengths:
Cloud & Infrastructure as Code: If you haven’t already, get hands-on with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and learn Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation. This skill lets you provision secure environments programmatically, a key part of DevSecOps.
CI/CD Pipelines: Familiarize yourself with continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions). As a SysAdmin, you might have automated deployments or scripts – now you’ll integrate security checks into those pipelines.
Security Fundamentals: Expand your knowledge of cybersecurity basics. Learn about common vulnerabilities, encryption, identity and access management, and incident response. Your operational experience combined with security know-how will make you invaluable.
Scripting & Coding: DevSecOps often involves coding for automation. Strengthen your scripting skills (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) so you can write security automation scripts or tools.
Many SysAdmins find the transition natural once they acquire these additional skills. Consider taking a DevSecOps training online course tailored for ops professionals – for example, Refonte Learning offers programs that cover cloud security, DevOps toolchains, and real-world projects. Also look for opportunities in your current job to take on security-related tasks (like managing firewall rules or implementing monitoring); practical experience will reinforce your learning. Remember, your ability to maintain systems reliably is a big asset – DevSecOps just adds a security lens to everything you already do.
Transition from QA to DevSecOps: Infusing Security into Testing
Quality Assurance engineers and testers are also well-positioned to move into DevSecOps roles. QA professionals excel at understanding software workflows, writing test cases, and ensuring quality – all skills that translate to security testing and automation. If you’re wondering how to become DevSecOps from QA, focus on extending your existing testing skill set into the security realm:
Learn Security Testing Tools: Get acquainted with tools like SAST (Static Application Security Testing) and DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing). For example, learning OWASP ZAP for dynamic testing or SonarQube for static code analysis will allow you to find vulnerabilities similar to how you find bugs.
Integrate into CI/CD: QA folks often work with CI pipelines for automated testing. To transition to DevSecOps, learn how to incorporate security checks into these pipelines – e.g., adding automated security scans after each build. This might involve scripting or using plugins that perform dependency checks, container image scans, etc.
Develop Coding Skills: If your QA role has been mostly manual or using low-code tools, it’s time to beef up your coding. You don’t need to be a software engineer, but understanding the code you’re securing is important. Pick up a scripting language (Python is great for writing test scripts and security tools) and practice writing small programs or test suites.
Security Mindset: Start thinking like a hacker when you test. Instead of only verifying functionality against requirements, consider abuse cases. Ask questions like, “What if an unauthorized user tries to do X?” This shift in mindset – from just quality to security – is crucial in DevSecOps.
Transitioning from QA to DevSecOps might involve a learning curve, but your attention to detail as a tester is a huge advantage. You’re used to systematically finding issues; now you’ll just be hunting for security issues specifically.
Take advantage of resources like bug bounty programs or security CTFs (Capture The Flag challenges) to practice thinking offensively. Refonte Learning provides mentorship and labs where QA professionals can learn about penetration testing and secure SDLC practices in a guided environment. With some upskilling, you can become the go-to person for integrating robust security tests into the development pipeline.
Building DevSecOps Skills: Training and Certifications for 2025
No matter your background, you’ll need to develop a broad new skill set to become a DevSecOps specialist. Fortunately, there are many DevSecOps training online resources and DevSecOps certification 2025 options to accelerate your journey. Here’s how to build your skills methodically:
Formal Training: Structured courses can save you time by teaching exactly what’s needed. Look for comprehensive DevSecOps or cybersecurity programs. For instance, Refonte Learning offers an International Training & Internship Program in Cybersecurity and DevSecOps, which combines live classes with hands-on projects. Such programs are great for learning the latest tools (like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and security scanners) in a practical way.
Certifications: Earning a certification can validate your knowledge for employers. In 2025, top DevSecOps-related certs include Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP), DevSecOps Practitioner (DevOps Institute), and cloud-specific credentials like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)refontelearning.com. If you’re coming from a QA or SysAdmin background, you might also consider CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker to solidify your security fundamentals. While certifications aren’t mandatory, they can significantly boost your credibility during a career transition.
Practical Experience: Theory only gets you so far – hands-on experience is essential. Set up a home lab to experiment: for example, create a sample web application and then practice securing it (implement a CI/CD pipeline with SAST/DAST scans, deploy it in a cloud sandbox, etc.). Contributing to open source projects or participating in hackathons can also provide real-world experience. If you can, take advantage of virtual internship programs. Refonte Learning’s virtual DevSecOps internship, for instance, allows you to work on real projects under the guidance of industry mentors, which is invaluable when you’re trying to land a job.
Community and Continuous Learning: Join DevSecOps communities (online forums, LinkedIn groups, or local meetups). Engaging with others can keep you updated on the latest practices and job opportunities. Follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and never stop learning – the security landscape evolves quickly. By showing that you’re an active learner, you’ll demonstrate the passion and adaptability employers look for in DevSecOps candidates.
Remember that becoming proficient in DevSecOps is a journey. It might feel overwhelming to learn “everything” (from coding and cloud to security testing), but with a structured approach and consistent practice, you’ll build competence step by step. The key is to apply what you learn in real scenarios – employers love candidates who can show they’ve done more than just pass exams, especially those who transitioned from related roles via concrete projects.
Key Steps to Successfully Pivot into DevSecOps
To summarize, here are some actionable steps to help you transition into a DevSecOps career from IT, QA, or SysAdmin roles:
Strengthen Your Fundamentals: Build a solid foundation in programming (learn a language like Python or Go), Linux command line, and networking. This technical base will make learning DevSecOps tools and concepts much easier.
Gain DevOps Knowledge: Since DevSecOps extends DevOps with security, make sure you understand core DevOps practices. Learn about version control (Git), CI/CD, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes). If you have gaps here, address them through courses or by experimenting with tools.
Learn Security Basics: Acquire a strong grasp of cybersecurity principles. Study common vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10), how attacks occur, and basics of cloud security. Certifications like Security+ can be a good starting point to structure your learning.
Hands-On Projects: Nothing beats practical experience. Design a mini-project where you implement a CI/CD pipeline for a demo app and integrate security tools. For example, set up a GitHub Actions pipeline that runs a SAST scan and deploys to a test environment. This will give you talking points for interviews and confidence in your skills.
Get Certified and Show Credentials: While not required, certifications can accelerate your transition. Earning a DevSecOps-focused certification in 2025 (like CDP or a DevOps cloud cert) signals employers that you are serious about the field. Pair this with showcasing your completed projects on GitHub or a personal blog.
Leverage Your Background: Don’t disregard your previous experience – highlight it. If you were a SysAdmin, emphasize your infrastructure automation skills; if you were in QA, underscore your testing discipline. Explain to employers how your past role gives you a unique perspective in DevSecOps (for instance, QA folks can talk about preventing bugs and vulnerabilities together). Career coaches often advise career-switchers to frame their past experience as an asset, not a detour.
Network and Seek Mentorship: Connect with professionals who are already in DevSecOps. A mentor can guide you on what to learn and even refer you to job openings. Use platforms like LinkedIn or the Refonte Learning community to find like-minded peers and mentors who can support your journey.
By following these steps and staying persistent, you’ll gradually build the competence and confidence needed to land a DevSecOps role. Every skill you add or project you complete is a stepping stone toward your new career.
Conclusion
Transitioning into a DevSecOps specialist role from an IT, QA, or SysAdmin background is an achievable goal in 2025. The tech industry needs professionals who can bridge gaps between development, security, and operations – and your existing experience gives you a head start. By intentionally upskilling through courses, certifications, and hands-on practice, you can rebrand yourself as a DevSecOps expert. The journey requires effort, but the reward is a challenging, high-impact career with strong growth potential.
Ready to kick-start your DevSecOps transition? There’s no better time than now. Begin with a structured learning path – check out Refonte Learning’s online DevSecOps training and virtual internship opportunities to get real experience. Equip yourself with the right skills, and you’ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of in-demand DevSecOps specialists.
FAQs
Q: Can a SysAdmin become a DevSecOps engineer?
A: Yes – system administrators are in a great position to move into DevSecOps. Your knowledge of servers, networks, and automation provides a strong foundation. By learning security tools and practices on top of your IT ops skills (for example, cloud security and CI/CD pipelines), you can absolutely transition into a DevSecOps engineer role.
Q: How can a QA tester transition to DevSecOps?
A: A QA tester can become a DevSecOps specialist by expanding into security testing. Start by learning to use SAST/DAST tools and incorporating security checks into the CI/CD pipeline. You should also improve your scripting or programming ability so you can automate tests and understand code. With practice (and possibly guidance from programs like Refonte Learning’s labs), many QA professionals successfully switch to DevSecOps roles.
Q: Do I need programming experience to pursue DevSecOps?
A: You don’t need to be a software developer, but you should have some programming or scripting experience. DevSecOps involves a lot of automation – things like writing scripts for security scans or customizing CI/CD workflows. If you’re not already comfortable with at least one language (say Python or Bash), it’s wise to learn it. The good news is that platforms like Refonte Learning teach coding basics as part of their DevSecOps curriculum for newcomers.
Q: What certifications help in a DevSecOps career path?
A: Certifications can validate your skills and ease your career transition. Popular ones include DevSecOps-focused credentials like the Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) and DevSecOps Practitioner, as well as related certs like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), or even CompTIA Security+ for fundamentals. These certifications show employers you have a verified skill set, though hands-on experience remains crucial.
Q: Are there online programs or internships for DevSecOps?
A: Absolutely. There are many online training options for DevSecOps – for example, DevSecOps training online courses through Refonte Learning or other platforms. Some programs include virtual internships where you work on real-world projects (Refonte’s international internship). These opportunities let you apply DevSecOps concepts in practice and can significantly boost your resume when you’re seeking your first role in the field.