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Why are DevOps jobs a great option for a security cleared career?

Published on: 11 Jul 2022

The IT sector provides a great range of opportunities for interesting, high-earning careers. With these technologies critical to the success of any business - and demand for skilled workers far outstripping supply - the chances are you'll always be able to find a job that meets your specific skills and interests.

One of the most in-demand roles within this sector will be for those with DevOps experience. This has been a rapidly-growing area of the IT industry over the last few years, with firms eager to take advantage of the efficiency and quality benefits it can provide. 

Yet as a relatively recent addition to the sector (the term was only coined in 2009), finding people with the right level of experience can be tricky. Therefore, it can be a great choice for those with the relevant skills.

So what should you know if you think DevOps is the right career choice for you, and why can it be especially beneficial if you already have or are able to obtain high-level security clearances?

Why DevOps benefits businesses

As the name suggests, DevOps is a combination of development and operations, and offers a more modern, responsive solution for software development and delivery. It's less a technology in itself than a new approach and culture when it comes to creating software.

In a traditional 'waterfall' development strategy, work follows a clear step-by-step process, moving from the design to development phase, then testing and deployment into operations. However, this method has several drawbacks. These include:

  • Delays and bottlenecks slowing progress
  • Lack of transparency
  • High risk of errors
  • Difficulty in making changes
  • High costs

DevOps, on the other hand, blurs the boundaries between development and operations, with both teams working collaboratively on the process at the same time. This means shorter feedback loops for any changes, more continuous deployment of software and greater agility for the business as a whole.

The benefits of deploying DevOps include:

  • Faster deployment of software
  • Less chance of errors
  • Higher productivity
  • Lower development costs
  • Improved application performance


Why a security clearance can help you get your next DevOps job

There are a wide range of firms that are looking for DevOps professionals, but organisations in sectors that demand fast results and strong value for money stand especially well-placed to benefit from such innovations.

Public sector organisations such as central government departments, for instance, are always under scrutiny to improve the performance and efficiency of their IT functions, so are frequently on the lookout for skilled DevOps staff to help achieve this. Other sectors such as aerospace, finance and energy, meanwhile, have to react quickly to changing environments, so will be keen to cut development timeframes.

One thing all these organisations have in common is that the data they use in their applications is highly sensitive. This could mean working with classified materials that are essential to national security, or with large volumes of citizen data. Therefore, any professional handling this information will be required to have the highest values of trustworthiness, integrity and honesty.

As such, security clearances such as Security Check and Developed Vetting are common requirements for any IT jobs in these sectors. And with demand for DevOps roles in particular being so high, the ability to demonstrate you have these qualities can help you stand out from the crowd.

Security cleared careers offer great opportunities for high salaries and varied, interesting work, so if you're able to use your experience and find DevOps jobs in these sectors, you stand well-placed to take the next step in your career.

Learn more about what you can expect from DevOps jobs and browse our latest security cleared roles today.