Definition
Compliance in DevOps refers to the integration of regulatory, legal, and organizational policy requirements into the entire software development lifecycle and operational processes. It ensures that applications and infrastructure adhere to established standards and controls from initial design through deployment and ongoing maintenance. This practice is crucial for mitigating risks, avoiding penalties, and maintaining trust with customers and stakeholders. For instance, a financial services company might implement automated checks to ensure all code changes comply with data privacy regulations like GDPR before deployment. This differs from general security by focusing specifically on adherence to external or internal mandates rather than just general threat mitigation. You will encounter Compliance in DevOps concepts on exams like Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.