Continuous authorization enables rapid, secure software delivery by authorizing platforms, processes, and teams, shifting away from static security approvals.
Traditional ATO (Authorization to Operate) processes are too slow for modern development. Continuous ATO integrates security throughout the DevSecOps lifecycle, allowing frequent, automated software updates that meet compliance standards without delaying delivery.
Why the DoD Is Embracing Continuous ATO
The DoD aims to modernize software delivery by integrating security, automation, and compliance from the start.
Key motivations include:
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Responding faster to emerging threats
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Reducing long approval timelines
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Increasing software reliability and resilience
The 2019 Defense Innovation Board emphasized software-defined capabilities and continuous delivery supported by secure digital infrastructure.
How DevSecOps Enables Continuous Authorization
DevSecOps combines development, security, and operations into one automated pipeline.
Core practices include:
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Shift-left security: Integrating security into early development stages
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Continuous monitoring and feedback loops
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Automated testing at every lifecycle phase (unit, integration, security)
DevSecOps Lifecycle Stages and Security Integrations
| Stage | Security Focus |
|---|---|
| Plan | Threat modeling, security requirements |
| Develop | Secure coding, patch management |
| Build | Static/Dynamic/Interactive testing, code signing |
| Test | Automated functional and security tests |
| Release | Digital signatures, policy enforcement |
| Deploy/Operate | Continuous monitoring, logging, audit, IAC, compliance as code |
Key Components of Continuous Authorization
Continuous ATO hinges on three pillars: platform, process, and team authorization.
1. Authorize the Platform
Platforms must be secure, hardened, and compliant by design.
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Leverage hardened containers and environments (e.g., Iron Bank, Platform One)
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Use infrastructure as code (IaC) for reproducibility and compliance
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Ensure hosting environments have DoD Provisional ATO or FedRAMP approval
2. Authorize the Process
The CI/CD pipeline must enforce automated controls and generate audit artifacts.
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Use control gates with configurable exit criteria
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Enable dashboards for real-time risk monitoring
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Validate compliance with STIGs via tools that implement compliance as code
3. Authorize the Teams
Teams must be trained, qualified, and aligned with a DevSecOps culture.
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Follow the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework for role definitions
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Track training plans and skill metrics
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Ensure transparency and version-controlled changes across teams
Continuous Risk Determination vs. Point-in-Time ATO
Continuous authorization relies on near real-time monitoring, not static certifications.
Traditional ATOs take 30–180+ days; continuous ATO can push updates in under a day. Using automated tools and dashboards, security and operations teams can detect and respond to risks immediately, minimizing downtime and breach exposure.
Tools and Platforms to Accelerate Adoption
Platform One and Iron Bank offer ready-to-use solutions for secure pipeline setups.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Platform One | Managed DevSecOps platform with CI/CD pipelines |
| Repo One | Stores source, infra, and compliance code |
| Iron Bank | Repository of hardened container images |
| Sidecar Security Stack | Adds logging, proxy, and scanning to containers |
Organizations can choose:
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Party Bus: join the existing Platform One environment
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Big Bang: deploy a dedicated instance for your org
Measuring DevSecOps Maturity
Use DORA metrics to track DevSecOps performance and reliability.
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Deployment Frequency | How often is code deployed to production |
| Lead Time for Changes | Time from code commit to deployment |
| Change Failure Rate | % of deployments causing issues |
| Time to Restore Service | Time to recover from incidents |
Recommendations for Getting Started
Start with a secure, ready-made platform and invest in team enablement.
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Use managed services like Platform One to save time
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Avoid building your own stack unless you have expert resources
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Shift culture: embed security champions and conduct ongoing training
Final thoughts
Continuous ATO transforms the DoD’s software delivery by embedding security into the DevSecOps lifecycle, enabling speed, compliance, and resilience.
By authorizing platforms, automating risk assessments, and leveraging hardened containers, agencies can move faster without sacrificing security. Platforms like Platform One and practices like everything-as-code are central to this evolution.