GitHub is a platform that has revolutionized the way developers collaborate, host, and manage their code. It is an essential tool for any development team and has a plethora of features that can improve the efficiency and security of the development process.

Given GitHub’s popularity in the developer community, it is no surprise that many organizations have started using it as a repository for their application security (AppSec) projects. With the growing need for application security, it is becoming increasingly important for organizations to understand the best practices for using GitHub as a tool for managing their AppSec projects.

And while knowing about AppSec is important, it is equally important to know how your organization can benefit from it.

What are the benefits of using GitHub in AppSec development?

In the realm of AppSec (application security), GitHub offers several key benefits that can help organizations improve not only the security of their applications but also their overall development process. Here are some of the top benefits of GitHub for AppSec:

Security alerts

GitHub provides security alerts for vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies, which can help developers identify and fix potential vulnerabilities in their code. These alerts can be configured to automatically notify developers of any new security vulnerabilities. This feature helps organizations stay up-to-date with the latest security vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies and reduce their risks of being attacked by hackers.

Open-source libraries

GitHub is home to many open-source libraries that developers can use in their projects. These libraries are often written with security in mind and are maintained by experts, which means they’re more secure than most code that’s created in-house. This allows developers to easily incorporate security features from these libraries into their own code.

Using open-source libraries is a great way to improve application security, but it’s important to keep in mind that even these libraries have flaws. It’s crucial for developers to perform their own tests and audits on any code they use from a third party, especially when the code is used in production environments.

Continuous integration and delivery

GitHub can be integrated with continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) tools, which automate the build, test, and deployment process. This allows developers to verify and validate the quality of their code before it’s deployed. The use of AI in security and development reduces the risk of human error in the build process, which can be especially important for applications that handle sensitive data and require a high level of security.

This is notably important in AppSec development, as it allows for the rapid deployment of code fixes and helps ensure that applications are always up to date with the latest security patches.

Issue tracking

GitHub has an issue-tracking system that allows developers to identify and track issues with their code. This is a great way to keep tabs on what needs fixing, what’s broken, and what still needs to be done. This can help organizations better manage the quality of their code and reduce the number of bugs that make it through to production.

Especially when the issue tracker is integrated with other tools, the ability to track issues can help organizations better understand the health of their applications and systems.

Code review

GitHub allows developers to conduct code reviews, which can help flag potential security vulnerabilities before they make it into production. A code review is a process in which two or more developers examine the source code of an application to identify potential security vulnerabilities. Code reviews can be performed manually or through automated tools like static analysis.

GitHub makes it easy for organizations to conduct manual code reviews by providing tools that allow them to synchronize their projects with other team members, who can then view changes made by others and provide feedback. This is a crucial step in AppSec, as it can help prevent attacks on applications.

Version control

GitHub allows developers to track changes made to their code and easily roll back to previous versions if necessary. It also helps teams collaborate more efficiently by allowing them to work on different versions of the same file or project at once.

With this type of functionality, organizations can create a secure repository that stores all their application security-related code and easily record any changes made over time. This is especially useful in AppSec, as it helps identify and fix vulnerabilities that may have been introduced with new code.

Collaboration

Speaking of collaboration, GitHub makes it easy for developers to work together on projects and share code with each other. Developers can easily collaborate on projects by creating a team, inviting other users to join it, and then sharing the repository with them. Teams can also create repositories that are accessible only to specific members of their organization. This allows companies to keep sensitive information secure while still allowing team members access when needed.

GitHub Enterprise also offers organizations the option to set up private repositories for their own use or share them with outside parties such as customers or partners. This is especially useful when developing secure applications because it allows developers to integrate security best practices into the development process from day one.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, GitHub is a powerful tool that can be used to streamline your company’s AppSec and development process.

Its version control system allows developers to track changes to their code and collaborate with others in real-time. Its open-source platform allows for a vast array of available tools and resources, as well as the ability to contribute back to the community. Additionally, GitHub’s security features such as vulnerability alerts and secure code reviews help to ensure the security of projects.

By implementing best practices into their development process, developers can ensure the security of their projects and maintain an overall higher level of security across all aspects of their software development lifecycle.