Implement Secure Continuous Deployment — Overview

MS Learn path: Implement secure continuous deployment — module 1.

Overview

Frames the path: shipping continuously while keeping the release pipeline secure and governed. Introduces the pillars — secret handling, least-privilege Azure access, and per-environment approvals/gates — that the later modules detail.

Units

• Continuous deployment and its security surface
• Preventing secrets in pipelines
• Azure access for pipelines (service connections)
• Environments, approvals, and gates as release guards

Concepts introduced

• Secure continuous deployment
• Secrets management
• Subscription (service) connection
• Environment approvals
• Deployment gates

Key terms & commands

• CD releases validated build artifacts; secure CD adds governance.
• Service connection (azureSubscription:) is how pipeline tasks authenticate to Azure.
• Environment checks (approvals) gate stages before production.
• Azure DevOps: key vault → variable group → pipeline reference at runtime.

Hands-on

Required lab evidence: Build a two-stage training pipeline that reads a non-sensitive test value from a Key Vault-linked group and pauses at a protected production environment. Capture build success, approval wait, and post-approval deployment; remove the test vault, group, and environment afterward.

Exam focus

• Recall the pillars of secure CD: secrets hygiene, least-privilege connections, approvals/gates.
• CD is the “what”; secure CD is the “how governed”.
• Know that secrets are referenced, never embedded.

Related

secure-cd · secrets-management · subscription-connection · Path MOC