diff --git a/DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md b/DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md
index 2beb18edc526..5631c6a28695 100644
--- a/DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md
+++ b/DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md
@@ -280,19 +280,23 @@ This method can also be used to develop against the [full distribution of OpenSe
 
 ### Configure OpenSearch Dashboards for security
 
-_This step is only mandatory if you have the [`security` plugin](https://github.com/opensearch-project/security) installed on your OpenSearch cluster with https/authentication enabled._
+_This step is only needed if you want your dev environment to also start with security. To do so both the OpenSearch node and OpenSearch Dashboards cluster need to have the security plugin installed. Follow the steps below to get setup correctly._
 
-> 1. Run `export initialAdminPassword=<initial admin password>` since it's needed by the configuration script
-> 2. Run `yarn opensearch snapshot --security`
-> 3. Wait a few seconds while the plugin is installed, configured, and OpenSearch starts up.
+To startup the OpenSearch snapshot with security
 
-Then within another window. You can start:
+1. Run `export OPENSEARCH_INITIAL_ADMIN_PASSWORD=<initial admin password>` since it's needed by the configuration script
+2. Run `yarn opensearch snapshot --security`
+3. Wait a few seconds while the plugin is installed, configured, and OpenSearch starts up.
 
-> 1. Run `export OPENSEARCH_USERNAME=admin`
-> 2. Run `export OPENSEARCH_PASSWORD=<initial admin password>`
-> 3. Optional: Run `export OPENSEARCH_SECURITY_READONLY_ROLE=<read only role>`
-> 4. Run `yarn start:security`
-> 5. Navigate to OpenSearch Dashboards and login with the above username and password.
+Then within another window you can start OpenSearch Dashboards:
+
+> Before doing so make sure to clone the https://github.com/opensearch-project/security-dashboards-plugin repo into the plugins folder and build it and set it up using the instructions here https://github.com/opensearch-project/security-dashboards-plugin/blob/main/DEVELOPER_GUIDE.md#install-opensearch-dashboards-with-security-dashboards-plugin. Then do the following:
+
+1. Run `export OPENSEARCH_USERNAME=admin`
+2. Run `export OPENSEARCH_PASSWORD=<initial admin password>`
+3. Optional: Run `export OPENSEARCH_SECURITY_READONLY_ROLE=<read only role>`
+4. Run `yarn start:security`
+5. Navigate to OpenSearch Dashboards and login with the above username and password.
 
 Once the bootstrap of OpenSearch Dashboards is finished, you need to apply some
 changes to the default [`opensearch_dashboards.yml`](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch-Dashboards/blob/main/config/opensearch_dashboards.yml#L25-L72) in order to connect to OpenSearch.