Executive Summary
As a software engineering intern at a major enterprise, I identified a critical gap in the deployment process: the lack of automated network security validation. Taking full ownership, I designed, built, and implemented a robust port scanning framework, integrated directly into CI/CD pipelines. The project evolved from a proof-of-concept into an enterprise-wide solution, automatically securing 70+ unique products across approximately 140+ deployment pipelines.
Business Challenge
Security Vulnerabilities
Inadvertently exposed ports could go undetected, creating potential attack vectors
Lack of Visibility
No centralized way to track or enforce network security posture across all products
Development Delays
Discovering security issues post-deployment led to reactive, time-consuming fixes
Inconsistent Practices
Manual and inconsistent port verification process across dozens of development teams
Technical Implementation
Technology Stack
Architecture Overview
Pipeline Integration
New stage added to existing Jenkins deployment pipelines, triggered after successful test deployments
Containerized Execution
Jenkins jobs execute within Docker containers running minimal Linux with configuration management tools
Dynamic Provisioning
Automated playbook provisions temporary cloud instances within the same network as the application
Targeted Scanning
Nmap performs highly-targeted scans against application EC2 instances, checking against predefined allowed ports
Automated Analysis
Scripts parse scan output and compare against baseline configurations for each application
Pass/Fail Decision
Pipeline fails if unexpected ports are found, immediately notifying development teams
Resource Cleanup
Temporary scanner EC2 instances are automatically terminated to control costs
Key Achievement: "Port 10001" Investigation
During initial rollout, the system immediately proved its value by flagging an unexpected open port. This discovery triggered a comprehensive investigation involving:
- Application Development Team - Application behavior analysis
- Security Leadership - Security implications assessment
- DevOps Team - Deployment process and cloud configurations review
The investigation revealed an obscure behavior in an underlying service on the base cloud machine image, validating the project's necessity and increasing senior leadership buy-in.
Results and Impact
Strategic Impact
- Enhanced Security Posture: Established consistent, enforceable baseline for network security
- Reusable Framework: Success led to new feature requests (Microsoft Teams integration, automated dashboards)
- Cultural Change: Promoted "security by design" mindset across development teams
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Improved communication between development, DevOps, and cybersecurity teams
- Business Case Development: Initiated integration with additional product teams, setting precedent for future implementations
Recognition & Achievements
#Spotlight Award
Received "Deliver with Focus" award in December 2023 for proactive ownership of critical security initiatives
Engineering Pulse Presentation
Successfully presented project to senior engineers and leadership at company-wide technical forum
Comprehensive Documentation
Created detailed schematics and documentation for smooth handover and continued success
Personal Growth & Leadership
From Intern to Project Owner
Transitioned from intern to sole project owner and driver of enterprise-wide initiative
Multiple Roles
Wore multiple hats: Solution Architect, DevOps Engineer, Security Liaison
Cross-Functional Leadership
Led investigations and collaborations across development, security, and operations teams
Problem Identification to Solution
Demonstrated ability to identify problems and drive solutions from concept to enterprise-wide implementation
Let's Discuss This Project
Interested in learning more about this security automation framework or discussing similar challenges?