When it comes to automation, small mistakes can have big consequences. In Ansible, a single variable from a vars file, or a risky module dependency, can silently propagate across hundreds of systems. By the time you notice, you’re already dealing with downtime, unexpected behavior, or compliance headaches.
Ansible Playbooks are just the tip of the iceberg. Modules, collections, plugins, and Python packages all introduce risk. Without proper input validation, assumptions about “trusted users” or “safe defaults” can lead to destructive behavior at scale.
A shift left approach catches problems early by analyzing playbooks and their dependencies before they reach production. This way, you can identify risky inputs, prevent unintended behavior, and ensure your automation runs safely and reliably — without costly downtime or last-minute firefighting.
Join our free webinar Shift left and secure: How to embed security in the Ansible development lifecycle to learn:
- Why shifting security left is critical for secure and scalable Ansible automation
- The most common security risks found in Ansible Playbooks and their dependencies
- Why understanding the full dependency chain is essential for managing risk
- The tools (such as playbook scanning, SBOM generation, CVE analysis, security reporting and supply chain management) that help embed security into the Ansible development lifecycle
During the session, you’ll also have the opportunity for a free Playbook Security Assessment to uncover hidden vulnerabilities and compliance gaps in their own automation workflows.
📅 Feb 19, 2026 | 3 PM CET | 45 min
Top comments (0)