GitLab has unveiled the 8th edition of its annual Global DevSecOps Report, providing a detailed analysis of the software development landscape in Australia. The report, commissioned by GitLab and executed by Omdia, collected insights from 5,315 software professionals worldwide, including 397 participants from Australia in April 2024. It sheds light on the prevailing sentiments around security, developer productivity, and the dual role of AI as both a driver and a potential risk within the industry.
Craig Nielsen, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at GitLab, commented on the findings, noting, “As we continue to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of software innovation, it’s encouraging to see that Australia is the global leader in AI implementation. However, organisations should continue focusing their efforts on consolidating toolchains, measuring developer productivity, and efficiently addressing security concerns to accelerate innovation throughout their business further.”
The report highlights several key aspects specific to Australia. Notably, the nation stands out as a frontrunner in the integration of AI within software development. According to the data, 62% of Australian respondents are already utilizing AI in their development processes. This rate surpasses that of respondents from other countries, including Germany (53%), Japan (48%), France (48%), the United States (34%), and the United Kingdom (31%). Despite this high adoption rate, a significant 62% of Australian participants express concern about the risks associated with AI integration in the software development lifecycle.
In addition to AI, developer productivity remains a critical focus for Australian organizations. The report reveals that 66% of respondents consider the measurement of developer productivity essential for business growth. However, there is a notable dissatisfaction with current productivity measurement methods, with 60% of Australian respondents expressing discontent. This level of dissatisfaction is higher compared to their counterparts in Germany (56%), the United Kingdom (55%), and the United States (52%).
The pace of software delivery in Australia has also seen substantial improvement. The report indicates that 65% of respondents are now shipping software at least twice as fast as they were the previous year. Despite this acceleration, tool consolidation continues to pose a challenge. A significant 53% of respondents report using between 6 to 15+ tools for software development, and half of these respondents express a desire to streamline their toolchains for improved efficiency.
Security concerns, particularly in relation to the software supply chain, are prominently highlighted in the report. It reveals that 86% of developers in Australia work with more than a quarter of their code sourced from open-source libraries, the highest rate among the surveyed markets. Despite this reliance on open-source components, only 24% of respondents are currently using a software bill of materials (SBOM) to document their software components. Moreover, 70% report that organizational bureaucracy frequently impedes their ability to address vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
The report’s findings underscore the duality of progress and challenges within the Australian software development sector. While the nation leads in AI implementation and has significantly accelerated its software delivery pace, there are critical areas needing attention. These include enhancing methods for measuring developer productivity, consolidating toolchains for better efficiency, and addressing security practices more robustly.
Nielsen’s remarks underscore the imperative for Australian organizations to balance their innovative strides with a pragmatic approach to toolchain management and security. By addressing these areas, businesses can harness AI’s potential while mitigating its associated risks, thereby fostering a more secure and productive development environment.
In conclusion, GitLab’s 8th Annual Global DevSecOps Report offers valuable insights into Australia’s software development dynamics. It highlights both the remarkable progress and the pressing challenges that need to be tackled to maintain and enhance the country’s leadership in the global software development arena.
