This third part of the “Implementing Backstage” series explains how to integrate Backstage with existing tools and plugins. If you’re at an earlier stage of your Backstage implementation, the two previous installments in this series focus on getting started and using the core features. If you’re looking for a more general introduction to Backstage, you can read the first article in the “Evaluating Backstage” series.

The fast-paced nature of modern software development means developers are capable of deploying changes to production multiple times a day. But, while DevOps allows development teams to deliver new features faster, increased deployment frequency can make it more difficult to stay on top of security threats. It only takes one malicious or incompetent change to dramatically increase the risk exposure of an application.

This second last part of the “Implementing Backstage” series explains how to use the Kubernetes plugin in Backstage using real-world scenarios. The previous installments covered getting started, using the core features, integrating with existing tools using plugins, and security and compliance. If you’re entirely new to Backstage and want to learn more, you can read the first entry in the “Evaluating Backstage” series.

This final part of the “Implementing Backstage” series focuses on how to deploy Backstage on Kubernetes. This tutorial is a direct continuation of Using the Kubernetes Plugin in Backstage, which you should complete before tackling this one. The other installments in this series covered getting started, using the core features, integrating with existing tools using plugins, and security and compliance.

This is the fourth part of the “Implementing Backstage” series and explores how to ensure your Backstage application is secure and how Backstage can contribute to more secure practices in general. The previous installments focused on how to get started, using the core features, and integrating with existing tools using plugins. If you’re unfamiliar with Backstage and need an introduction, check out part one of the “Evaluating Backstage” series.

According to the latest Crowdstrike report, in 2022 cloud-based exploitation increased by 95%, and there was an average eCrime breakout time of 84 minutes. Just as significantly, in 2021, the Biden administration passed an executive order to improve the nation’s cybersecurity standards. There are also upcoming laws like DORA in the European Union. So, increased cyber attacks and legislative pressures mean you need to (a) actively protect against threats and (b) prove that you are doing so.

Many DevOps teams work proactively to meet security and compliance standards. They consider security best practices when developing software with open source components, scanning code for vulnerabilities, deploying changes, and maintaining applications and infrastructure. Security is a key feature of many of the tools they’re using, and the policies and industry standards they’re following.

This article is the second installment of the “Implementing Backstage” series and focuses on how to use Backstage’s core features. Backstage has an extensible plugin architecture in active development and large community support and offers simplified tool management, workflow optimization, and time-saving features. However, to reap these benefits, you need to know how to use Backstage’s core features, including its software catalog, templates, documentation, and search.