GitHub: Implementing security-focused code review processes

GitHub
1/12/2023

Implementing security-focused code review processes is an important aspect of maintaining the security of your repositories and organization in GitHub. This technical reference guide will provide you with a step-by-step process for implementing security-focused code review processes.

Implementing security-focused code review processes is an important aspect of maintaining the security of your repositories and organization in GitHub. This technical reference guide will provide you with a step-by-step process for implementing security-focused code review processes.

1. Setting up required status checks:

  • To set up required status checks in GitHub, navigate to the repository you want to set up required status checks for.
  • In the top right corner of the page, choose Settings.
  • In the left sidebar, choose Branches.
  • Use the branch protection interface to enable branch protection and set the required status checks.
  • You can set up required status checks to run security tools such as static analysis tools or to require the approval of a designated team member.

2. Setting up required pull request reviews:

  • To set up required pull request reviews in GitHub, navigate to the repository you want to set up required pull request reviews for.
  • In the top right corner of the page, choose Settings.
  • In the left sidebar, choose Branches.
  • Use the branch protection interface to enable branch protection and set the required pull request reviews.
  • You can set up required pull request reviews to require the approval of a designated team member or team members before a pull request can be merged.

3. Conducting security-focused code reviews:

  • To conduct security-focused code reviews in GitHub, create a new pull request or choose an existing pull request to review.
  • Review the code for security issues such as vulnerabilities, insecure coding practices, and the exposure of sensitive information.
  • Leave comments and suggestions for improving the security of the code.
  • If necessary, request changes to the code to address any identified security issues.

By following these steps, you can implement security-focused code review processes in GitHub to help ensure the security of your repositories and organization.