🆚 GitHub and GitLab Native Secret Scanning Comparison
Intro: Native secret scanning is strongest when it blocks or flags leaks close to the platform event itself.
| Area | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Push-time blocking | Push protection | Secret push protection |
| Post-commit scanning | Secret scanning | Pipeline secret detection |
| Governance | Alerts, bypass review, custom patterns | Security reports, policies, approvals |
| Historic coverage | needs explicit scanning strategy | historic scan recommended after enablement |
Operating model
- native push blocking for high-value repos
- pipeline or repo scanning for broad coverage
- one-time historic scan when enabling late
- local scanner for developer machines and heterogeneous SCM
- gate on newly introduced or unresolved secret findings
Cross-links
