Possible Next Steps

[KingBain]

Integrating a "Protected B" certification into an automated governance system, particularly within a CI/CD pipeline, is a strategic move for enhancing software delivery and compliance processes. This approach ensures that applications meet specific security or compliance criteria before deployment. Here’s a structured way to implement this:

1. Certification API

Develop a RESTful API or a GraphQL API that serves as the authoritative source for checking "Protected B" certifications. This API should allow querying of domains or projects to check if they have been certified and return details about the certification status.

API Features:

Check Certification Status: Allow querying by domain or project ID to return certification status.
Update Certification Status: Secure endpoints that allow updating the certification status when a new assessment is completed.
Webhooks: Offer webhook support to notify systems when a certification status changes.

2. CI/CD Pipeline Integration

Integrate the certification checking within the CI/CD pipeline using one of the following approaches:

Pre-Deployment Gate: Before the deployment stage, add a step that queries the Certification API to ensure the project has a valid "Protected B" certification. If the check fails, the pipeline can halt, preventing deployment.

Monitoring & Reporting: Instead of blocking deployments, you could opt for a monitoring approach where the CI/CD pipeline reports the certification status to a dashboard or alerts system. This is less intrusive but still ensures visibility.

3. Automation Scripts

Develop scripts or use existing CI/CD tools (like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions) to interact with the Certification API. These scripts can:

Query the certification status.
Parse the API response.
Make decisions based on the certification status (e.g., proceed with deployment, halt, notify stakeholders).

4. Security and Access Control

Ensure that the API is secure and accessible only to authorized users or systems. Implement OAuth, API keys, or other security mechanisms to protect the API and prevent unauthorized access.

5. Documentation and Best Practices

Provide comprehensive documentation for the Certification API and the integration process. Include best practices, example scripts, and guidance on integrating with popular CI/CD platforms.

6. Feedback Loop

Implement a feedback mechanism from the CI/CD pipeline back to the Certification API. For instance, if a deployment is blocked due to failed certification, there should be a straightforward process for re-assessment or appealing the decision. Example Use Case in CI/CD Pipeline

Pre-Deployment Check: As part of the deployment job, a script queries the Certification API with the project ID.
Decision Making: Based on the API response, the script decides whether to continue with the deployment or halt the process.
Notification: If the certification check fails, the pipeline sends a notification to the development team with details and next steps.

This approach ensures that only compliant projects are deployed, automates the governance process, and significantly reduces manual overhead in checking compliance.

[KingBain]

Define when software can be deployed in the ATO