Key takeaways

• DevSecOps requires security automation rather than manual gates.
• Accuracy and validation matter more than raw scan volume.
• Developer experience directly impacts adoption and effectiveness.
• Invicti leads with a DAST-first, proof-based approach designed for DevSecOps at scale.
• Acunetix and other tools can fit earlier or narrower DevSecOps use cases.

What does “DevSecOps-friendly” application security actually mean?

A DevSecOps-friendly application security platform embeds security testing directly into development and delivery workflows rather than treating security as a separate phase. The goal is not to add more gates or approvals, but to make security testing continuous, automated, and actionable.

In practice, this means that security runs as part of CI/CD pipelines, produces results developers can trust, and supports rapid iteration without slowing releases. DevSecOps-ready tools are built with automation and integration in mind, while traditional scanners are often designed for periodic testing led by security teams. The difference becomes increasingly visible as release frequency increases and application architectures get more distributed.

Why do traditional AppSec tools fail in DevSecOps environments?

Many traditional application security tools were designed for slower, linear development cycles. When dropped into closed-loop DevSecOps environments, they tend to introduce friction rather than resilience.

Pipeline slowdowns are a common issue, especially when scans require manual triggers or long execution times. Excessive false positives further erode trust, forcing developers to spend time validating findings instead of fixing real issues. Manual triage and disconnected reporting add yet another layer of overhead. In high-velocity environments, these inefficiencies accumulate quickly, undermining both security outcomes and developer adoption.

DevSecOps breaks down when security tools are not designed for developers and automation first.

What features should a DevSecOps-friendly AppSec platform include?

To evaluate tools consistently, it’s important to define what “DevSecOps-friendly” looks like in practical terms. The following capabilities form the framework used throughout this guide.

Can security run automatically in CI/CD pipelines?

Security testing must be fully automatable, with native CI/CD integrations and robust APIs. Scans should run without manual intervention and fit naturally into existing pipelines, whether triggered on code changes, builds, or deployments.

Does the platform reduce noise for developers?

Accuracy matters more than scan volume or raw result counts. DevSecOps-friendly tools prioritize validated, actionable findings and minimize false positives and thus allow developers to focus on real risk rather than sorting through speculative alerts.

Can it keep up with rapid releases and frequent changes?

Modern delivery requires fast, repeatable testing. Platforms must support continuous and incremental scanning, along with automated retesting after fixes, without becoming a bottleneck as release cadence increases.

Does it support modern application architectures?

Effective coverage today means more than scanning traditional web interfaces. Tools also need to support APIs, microservices, authentication flows, and cloud-native environments, including stateful workflows and dynamic dependencies.

Does it balance developer speed with enterprise governance?

While developer experience is critical, larger organizations also need centralized visibility, role-based access controls, and compliance-ready reporting. DevSecOps-friendly platforms balance autonomy with oversight rather than forcing teams to choose one over the other.

How we evaluated DevSecOps-friendly application security tools

The platforms covered in this guide were assessed against the criteria above, with particular emphasis on CI/CD integration depth, automation and API support, developer experience, accuracy and validation of findings, and the ability to scale across multiple teams and pipelines. The goal is not to crown a single “perfect” tool but to highlight how different solutions align with DevSecOps maturity and operational needs.

What are the best DevSecOps-friendly app security platforms today?

With the evaluation framework established, the following platforms stand out for their ability to integrate security testing into modern DevSecOps workflows.

1. Invicti Ultimate: Why Invicti is the most DevSecOps-friendly AppSec platform

Invicti Ultimate is designed for organizations running DevSecOps at scale, where security must operate continuously across many applications, pipelines, and teams.

Built around a DAST-first approach but supporting all common security testing methods, Invicti Ultimate integrates automated security testing directly into CI/CD workflows while validating real, exploitable vulnerabilities through proof-based scanning. This validation significantly reduces noise for developers and accelerates remediation by eliminating the need for manual confirmation. Native support for both application and API security, combined with automated retesting and developer-oriented remediation guidance, enables security to keep pace with frequent releases.

At the same time, Invicti Ultimate provides enterprise-grade ASPM governance, centralized visibility, and reporting capabilities needed to manage risk across complex environments. The result is security that runs continuously without reintroducing friction into delivery pipelines.

2. Invicti Professional: DevSecOps-ready security for growing teams

Invicti Professional is built on the same DAST-first, proof-based security foundation as Invicti Ultimate but is optimized for organizations with fewer teams or simpler governance requirements.

This platform tier supports automated CI/CD integration, accurate vulnerability validation, and security testing for modern web applications and APIs, which makes it well suited for teams adopting DevSecOps practices or scaling existing pipelines. While governance and multi-team orchestration capabilities are less in-depth than in Ultimate, Invicti Professional still enables continuous, low-noise security testing without relying on manual processes.

3. Acunetix: DevSecOps-friendly scanning for smaller or less complex environments

Acunetix is a DevSecOps-ready DAST option for teams looking to automate application security testing without the full overhead of enterprise-scale governance.

It supports CI/CD automation, proof-based vulnerability scanning, and straightforward setup for web applications and APIs. Acunetix is often a practical fit for organizations earlier in their DevSecOps journey or operating fewer pipelines, where simplicity and ease of use are priorities. As programs grow in size and complexity, teams may require more advanced orchestration and visibility than Acunetix is designed to provide.

4. OWASP ZAP: Open-source DAST for pipeline integration

OWASP ZAP (currently known as ZAP by Checkmarx) is a widely used open-source DAST tool with established options for CI/CD automation, including containerized execution and community-supported pipeline integrations.

It can be incorporated into DevSecOps workflows for baseline security testing, particularly in environments where teams are comfortable tuning scans and building their own reporting and governance processes. While ZAP provides flexibility and transparency, its accuracy, scalability, and developer experience depend heavily on configuration, fine-tuning, and operational maturity.

5. Burp Suite DAST / Enterprise: CI-driven scanning for security-led programs

Burp Suite’s DAST and Enterprise offerings enable automated scanning as part of CI/CD pipelines, typically using container-based execution models managed by security teams.

These tools are often adopted in organizations standardizing on Burp pentesting workflows and seeking to operationalize dynamic testing across builds. While CI-driven scanning is well supported, Burp-based approaches tend to be more security-team-centric, with developer experience and automation depth varying based on implementation.

6. StackHawk: Developer-centric DAST for CI/CD workflows

StackHawk is a ZAP-derived tool designed to run DAST directly in CI/CD pipelines, with a strong focus on providing developers with timely, actionable feedback.

Its workflow-oriented design aligns well with teams prioritizing developer ownership of security testing. As with many developer-first tools, governance and multi-team oversight capabilities are typically lighter than those found in enterprise platforms, which may influence suitability as programs scale.

7. Contrast Assess: Runtime-focused application security testing

Contrast Assess takes an instrumentation-based approach to application security and uses runtime agents to observe application behavior during testing, in effect doing agent-based IAST.

This model can provide continuous insight and context-rich findings, particularly in environments where agent deployment is operationally acceptable. However, agent-based approaches introduce architectural and operational constraints that may not align with all DevSecOps pipelines, especially in highly distributed or partly ephemeral environments.

How should teams choose the right DevSecOps-friendly AppSec platform?

Selecting the right platform depends on DevSecOps maturity, release velocity, and organizational scale. Teams should prioritize automation over manual gates, accuracy over alert volume, and developer adoption over theoretical coverage. Validating tools in real pipelines is essential, as is avoiding solutions that reintroduce friction under the guise of security.

Conclusion: Security tools should accelerate DevSecOps delivery

DevSecOps succeeds when security enables teams to move faster with confidence. Platforms that automate testing, validate real risk, and integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines help organizations reduce exposure without slowing delivery.

Invicti stands out by combining proof-based DAST, native automation, and enterprise-ready governance into a single platform that scales with modern development. To see how Invicti fits into your DevSecOps workflows, request a demo and explore how continuous, low-noise application security can support faster, safer releases.

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