Why DevSecOps Must Define the Future of National Security Software

In today’s contested and rapidly evolving space domain, the ability to adapt quickly is not a luxury—it’s a strategic imperative. Yet too often, the software that drives our most advanced defense systems remains anchored to outdated acquisition and sustainment models designed for hardware-centric eras.

At Acuity Innovations LLC, we believe that the future of mission assurance lies in the fusion of continuous innovation with continuous delivery. The distinction between acquisition and sustainment is no longer just blurred—it’s obsolete. What’s needed is a transformation in both mindset and execution: a commitment to DevSecOps as a national security enabler.

DevSecOps is more than just a buzzword. It's a proven approach that delivers software rapidly, securely, and iteratively. It integrates development, security, and operations into a unified cycle where feedback loops are short, security is baked in, and deployment is never final—only the next step forward.

This isn’t just about speed. It’s about resilience. In a threat environment where new cyber tactics and adversarial capabilities emerge daily, the systems that protect our nation must evolve at the same tempo—or faster. That requires development pipelines that can field updates in hours or days, not years. It requires infrastructure that supports zero trust, automation, and telemetry-driven decision-making. And it requires a policy environment that empowers program managers to sustain software like a living asset, not a static deliverable.

The United States Space Force has taken bold steps to break the mold, fostering agile initiatives and embracing open architectures. Industry must meet that boldness with equal urgency and creativity. We need contracts that support continuous integration. We need acquisition pathways that encourage experimentation. And we need shared digital environments that allow developers, operators, and mission planners to co-create in real time.

At Acuity Innovations, we call this defense by design. It's a posture, a process, and a partnership model that sees adaptability not as a challenge to be managed, but as the foundation of enduring deterrence.

As industry partners, we stand ready to build what’s next—not just the systems of the future, but the delivery models that will keep them mission-relevant. Because in space, the battlefield is software-defined. And in this fight, sustainment isn’t what happens after—it’s what happens always.