DevSecOps is no longer just another tech buzzword I keep coming across in research papers and industry talks. It’s genuinely becoming the way modern organizations build, test, and secure applications. When I first started studying it, I thought of it as just a mix of development, security, and operations. But the more I’ve read and observed, the more I realize it’s really about culture, collaboration, and constant improvement.
An Overview of DevSecOps Metrics
How do we actually know if DevSecOps is working? It’s easy to say “we’ve shifted security left” or “we’ve automated testing,” but unless we measure the results, it’s all talk. That’s where DevSecOps metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) make such a big difference. That’s why in this article; I will walk you through top DevSecOps metrics and KPIs that matter in 2025.
These metrics aren’t just numbers on a dashboard—they tell a story about how well your processes, tools, and teams are working together. By tracking them, you can spot gaps early, understand where improvements are needed, and make smarter decisions. Over time, they help turn DevSecOps from a set of practices into a culture that really works.
Top DevSecOps Metrics and KPIs
These are the key metrics and KPIs I focus on when evaluating a DevSecOps process. Each one helps show whether your security, development, and operations efforts are actually working together.
- Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)
For me, this metric is about how quickly a team can spot a security issue. If the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) is low, it usually means the tools and monitoring in place are actually working well. And with how advanced cyber threats have become, catching something early really does make a huge difference.
I like to think of it like this: the faster you notice something suspicious, the faster you can take control of the situation. But if your MTTD is high, it might mean your alerts are too noisy or you don’t have enough visibility into what’s happening in your system.
- Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR)
MTTR tells you how quickly vulnerabilities are fixed once they’re discovered. It’s not enough to just detect problems—resolving them quickly is what keeps attackers out. A shorter MTTR shows that your team has strong processes in place.
If your MTTR is consistently long, it could mean bottlenecks in your workflows. Maybe developers aren’t getting timely alerts, or maybe your patching process needs more automation. Either way, this KPI is key to reducing real-world risks.
- Vulnerability Escape Rate
I see this metric as a reality check—it shows how many vulnerabilities manage to slip past development and testing and end up in production. When the escape rate is high, it usually means there are gaps in the way security testing is being done. To me, it’s a clear sign that controls need to be tightened much earlier in the pipeline.
Lowering this number doesn’t just reduce risks, it also builds confidence. Teams and stakeholders know the product is being shipped with fewer hidden problems. In the long run, that translates into stronger trust and fewer costly incidents.
- Security Test Coverage
Security test coverage shows how much of your code and infrastructure is being tested. The higher the coverage, the more confidence you can have that major vulnerabilities won’t go unnoticed. It’s a way of measuring the effectiveness of your security testing efforts.
Of course, I’ve learned that full coverage isn’t always realistic—and that’s okay. What matters more is showing steady improvement. If I notice that critical areas are being left out, it feels like a clear signal that the testing scope needs to expand, especially as systems and architectures keep getting more complex.
- Percentage of Automated Security Tests
Automation plays a huge role in DevSecOps. Tracking how many of your security tests are automated gives you a sense of maturity. Higher automation usually means faster results and fewer human errors.
However, not everything should be automated. Some tests still require human judgment. The goal is to automate repetitive checks, so your security team can focus on complex threats that tools can’t easily catch.
- Policy Compliance Rate
From what I’ve seen, almost every company has security policies written down somewhere. But the real question is—are teams actually following them day to day? When I look at this KPI, I see it as a way to check whether an organization’s processes truly line up with well-known standards such as ISO, SOC 2, or GDPR.
If compliance levels are high, it usually tells me there’s solid governance in place and that teams are working in a disciplined, consistent way. On the flip side, low compliance often signals gaps in training, enforcement, or tooling. It’s not just about passing audits; it’s about making sure security rules become second nature to teams across development and operations.
- Deployment Frequency with Security Gates
It’s not only about how fast you can deploy, but whether you can keep those deployments secure at the same time. Whenever I see a team managing to push code often while still passing all the security gates, it tells me they’ve found that sweet spot where speed and safety work together.
From my own experience, when deployments start slowing down, it usually means security checks aren’t fitting naturally into the pipeline. They feel like barriers instead of part of the process. In those cases, I’ve found it makes a big difference to shift some of those tests earlier in the cycle. That way, security doesn’t feel like something that stops progress—it becomes something that supports it.
- False Positive Rate in Security Scans
False positives can really eat up a team’s time. From my experience, chasing alerts that turn out to be nothing is frustrating and distracting. This metric helps me see how often that happens. When the rate is low, it tells me the security tools are doing their job, and the team isn’t wasting energy on unnecessary issues.
High false positives don’t just slow things down—they can create what I think of as “alert fatigue.” I’ve seen developers start ignoring warnings altogether, which is risky. Focusing on tuning tools and improving accuracy makes a noticeable difference, helping everyone stay focused on real threats without getting burned out.
- Cost of Security Incidents
For me, this metric really shows the impact of security in dollars. It tracks both the cost when something goes wrong and the money saved when problems are stopped before they happen. I’ve found it helpful because it makes the value of DevSecOps easy to explain to others.
I also feel that when you can show how much strong security saves the company, it’s easier to get leadership on board. To me, this metric connects the work we do every day with real business outcomes, which makes all the effort feel meaningful.
- Team Collaboration Metrics
DevSecOps is just as much about people and culture as it is about tools. This metric looks at how well teams work together, like joining security reviews or handling incidents as a group. It helps me see if development, security, and operations are really collaborating.
When I see teams working well together, issues get caught sooner, everything flows more smoothly, and security feels like a natural part of daily work. To me, this metric really shows how strong and healthy a DevSecOps culture has become.
Final Thoughts
Metrics are not about adding pressure—they’re about creating clarity. When you track the right KPIs, you get visibility into what’s working and what’s not.
In 2025, security can’t be an afterthought. By focusing on these DevSecOps metrics, you’ll not only strengthen your security posture but also build trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders. After all, good security isn’t just about protecting systems—it’s about protecting people.
