What is a significant benefit of using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in security?

A significant benefit of using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in security is the reduction of human error. IaC allows systems and applications to be defined and managed through code, which can be version-controlled and subjected to automated testing. This codification of infrastructure leads to a more consistent and repeatable process for deploying and managing systems, reducing the risk of mistakes that often occur during manual configurations.

By using IaC, organizations can enforce best practices, ensure compliance through templated configurations, and minimize variability across environments. This automation helps in catching misconfigurations and vulnerabilities early in the deployment process, ultimately leading to improved security posture.

IaC does not inherently provide faster execution times compared to traditional methods, nor does it emphasize manual deployment, which tends to be more prone to errors. Additionally, while IaC can be configured to enforce limited access to resources, this is a byproduct of good practices rather than the primary security benefit offered by IaC.