Published via [GitHub Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights "Executive insights, curated just for you")

## Why traditional application security tools fall short

Organizations spend billions annually on cybersecurity tooling and services, with companies [averaging more than 70 tools each](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/organizations-76-security-tools/). Yet security and developer teams still struggle to keep up with rising security debt—the amount of unresolved vulnerabilities that build up over time. 

The primary reason for this? Traditional [application security](https://github.com/resources/articles/security/what-is-application-security) tools often fail to meet developer needs. These tools aren’t designed with developers in mind, despite developers being the ones tasked with remediation. The solutions require developers to context switch, forcing them to leave their familiar coding environments and workflows to run manual security tests—increasing cognitive load. Furthermore, most developers aren’t security experts, so fixing vulnerabilities takes far longer than it should.

The end result is that [developer productivity](https://resources.github.com/developer-productivity/) gets drained and [security debt](https://resources.github.com/enterprise/understanding-secret-leak-exposure/) continues to rise. 

![Risks of not addressing security debt](//images.ctfassets.net/wfutmusr1t3h/66XR0BRly3SHqkToaZNzqY/aeaddc5b89796c568693eea1b25f2f63/Screenshot_2025-04-07_at_4.40.57_PM.png)

## How security debt builds up in developer workflows

Additionally worrisome: when the security tools developers use surface issues, the alerts often provide little context and aren’t actionable. For example, many alerts are false positives. Others are low risk—meaning, if a malicious actor exploits one, there won’t be much harm. Overwhelmed by the alerts’ lack of usefulness and context, developers often end up ignoring them altogether and lose trust in their security tooling. 

What teams don’t need is just more alerts, detection capabilities, or additional security tooling. They need solutions that go beyond discovery, helping them prioritize and scale remediation efforts to do what matters: securing new code and (even more importantly) paying down security debt.

---

__Current GitHub customers:__ Quickly assess your secret exposure

GitHub’s secret risk assessment provides immediate, aggregated insights into your organization's exposure to leaked credentials. It helps you identify occurrences of publicly exposed secrets, evaluate internal exposure, and pinpoint the most common credential types at risk. Admins can run this assessment directly from their organization’s ‘Security’ tab, enabling rapid action to protect your organization from breaches.

[Share this link](https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/securing-your-organization/understanding-your-organizations-exposure-to-leaked-secrets/viewing-the-secret-risk-assessment-report-for-your-organization?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle) with an org admin to run a secret risk assessment now.

---
## Why DevSecOps is essential for scalable security tooling
Over the years, DevOps has transformed how many organizations build and ship software. However, one aspect of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) was left outside of the DevOps model: security. But then came along DevSecOps—which mindfully adds security to traditional DevOps by embedding automated security testing throughout the SDLC and into every aspect of DevOps culture, tooling, and processes. Put simply, DevSecOps is the natural evolution of DevOps, with security baked into the process. 

## Developer experience is key to fixing application security
DevSecOps is critical to getting application security right. A Harris poll found that nearly three in four developers responded that software supply chain security tools were debilitating to their productivity, while fewer than half of CISOs said they believed that developers were “very familiar” with the security risks associated with their tools and workflows. This disconnect between teams creates friction and helps no one. Developers need security tools embedded into their workflows so they can fix vulnerabilities without hindering creativity and productivity. 

## How GitHub makes application security part of the workflow
At GitHub, we experienced this firsthand. Which is why we began offering native security capabilities for free on all public repositories, and licensed features for private repositories. By integrating security into the development workflow, GitHub helps teams catch vulnerabilities early, reduce friction, and make security native to the development process.

The result? Developers spend less time chasing false positives and more time building secure, high-quality software. 

## AI-powered application security turns 'found' into 'fixed'
Thanks to advances in AI, organizations can scale their efforts and tackle security debt more effectively. With the new technology, developers no longer need to be security experts, as AI can help developers fix issues in real time. At GitHub, our goal is to augment, accelerate, and empower teams with AI—specifically through [GitHub Copilot](https://github.com/features/copilot), the world’s most widely adopted AI developer tool. We started by automating tedious tasks for developers. Now, we’re extending that innovation to application security.

Our vision for security is simple: “[Found means fixed](https://github.blog/news-insights/product-news/found-means-fixed-introducing-code-scanning-autofix-powered-by-github-copilot-and-codeql/).” With AI, developers can remediate vulnerabilities the moment they’re discovered—almost instantly and with just a few clicks. [Copilot Autofix](https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/code-scanning/managing-code-scanning-alerts/responsible-use-autofix-code-scanning) goes beyond just surfacing issues, as it provides automatically generated vulnerability analysis, detailed alert explanations, and, most importantly, AI-powered fixes. This ensures that security flaws don’t just get detected—they get resolved, helping developers stay focused on building great software.

![Copilot Autofix vs manual](//images.ctfassets.net/wfutmusr1t3h/2Ydv7ms8n6jGLuDC5SJxdE/a7e7f17b0843248f2fc266b9831ba981/Screenshot_2025-04-09_at_8.47.27_AM.png)

## The bottom line: reduce security debt and boost productivity

Traditional security tools create friction for developers, slowing productivity and increasing security debt. DevSecOps addresses these challenges by embedding security into the development workflow, enabling teams to remediate vulnerabilities faster and more effectively. With AI-powered solutions like GitHub Copilot and Copilot Autofix, developers can fix security issues in real time—without leaving their workflow. By shifting security left and automating remediation, organizations can reduce security debt, improve software quality, and empower developers to focus on innovation.

---

This content was taken from our gated ebook, *Secure your code: The essential guide to managing security debt*, providing a three-step action plan for reducing security debt. 
[Download the ebook now to start your action plan >](https://github.com/resources/whitepapers/secure-your-code?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=seo "Download the ebook")


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April ‘25 enterprise roundup

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Secrets—such as API keys, passwords, tokens, encryption keys, and other credentials—are essential for modern software development. Developers frequently interact with credentials throughout the software development process—they securely connect your applications with critical infrastructure, databases, cloud services, and third-party APIs. However, __keeping secrets safe can be challenging__.  Without strict controls and automated safeguards, these credentials can inadvertently end up in repositories, logs, or other unsecured locations, increasing the risk of exposure.

In 2024 alone, we detected more than [39 million leaked secrets](https://github.blog/news-insights/octoverse/octoverse-2024/) on GitHub. According to the [IBM Cost of Data Breach Report (2024)](https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach), breaches involving compromised credentials cost organizations an average of $4.88 million per incident—a 10% increase from the previous year. 

> The impact of leaked secrets is growing, and as pressure to rapidly deliver software intensifies, organizations must adopt proactive security without burdening developers.

This article will help you understand how secret leaks occur, their financial and operational impact, and how to assess your organization’s unique risk profile. For current GitHub customers, we’ll also highlight the new secret risk assessment tool, which provides real-time insights into potential vulnerabilities within your codebase—helping teams take proactive security measures.

---

__Are you a current GitHub customer? Have an organization admin [run a secret risk assessment](https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/securing-your-organization/understanding-your-organizations-exposure-to-leaked-secrets/viewing-the-secret-risk-assessment-report-for-your-organization?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle) to see your organization's secret leak footprint.__

---
## How do secrets get leaked?
Secret leaks commonly occur when credentials are inadvertently committed to repositories, mistakenly stored in logs, or exposed through misconfigured cloud environments. Attackers typically discover these secrets by scanning public repositories, exploiting misconfigurations, or through phishing and social engineering to infiltrate networks.

Once attackers gain access to these leaked credentials, they can move undetected through your systems, escalating privileges, accessing sensitive information, or even deploying ransomware. For instance, the [2022 LastPass breach](https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/lastpass-cyberattack-timeline/643958/) began with attackers gaining access to a single compromised credential, ultimately leading to extensive data exposure and [untold financial losses](https://cointelegraph.com/news/lastpass-threat-actor-steals-over-5-million-from-40-victims). 

<div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9">
<iframe title="Introduction to secret leaks with GitHub" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vMhDkt5JNN0?si=r5Z2oimunGMGbcyk" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

## The hidden costs of data exposure
The true cost of data exposure extends far beyond immediate financial losses. As if a $4.88 million price tag per incident weren’t damaging enough, organizations also face consequences that go beyond financial impact. When sensitive information such as proprietary data, financial records, or customer details is compromised, the resulting damage can severely erode customer and partner trust. According to the [Ponemon Sullivan Privacy Report](https://ponemonsullivanreport.com/2017/11/how-data-breaches-affect-reputation-and-share-value/), “65% of data breach victims lost trust in an organization as a result of a breach.”

Data breaches don’t just harm external reputation and finances—they disrupt internal operations as well. Organizations must redirect significant resources toward remediation and investigations, consuming valuable time and derailing progress on key business goals. Ultimately, the intangible costs—loss of trust, disrupted productivity, and strained relationships—can have an even greater and longer-lasting impact than the immediate financial losses.
## How to analyze your organization’s risk of secret leaks
Understanding and quantifying your organization's exposure to secret leaks is essential for strengthening your security posture and preventing breaches before they occur.

__Factors that increase risk:__
- __Complexity of credential usage__: Organizations using a wide variety of credentials across numerous repositories, cloud integrations, and third-party services inherently have more secrets to manage, increasing the likelihood of accidental exposure.
- __Developer access and credential use__: Companies with numerous developers requiring regular access to sensitive credentials face greater exposure risk, particularly when secret rotation processes—periodically updating or replacing credentials to limit their lifetime and reduce exposure risk—are manual or inconsistent.
- __Deployment frequency and speed__: Organizations rapidly shipping new code are at heightened risk, as fast-paced development cycles increase the chance of secrets being inadvertently included or exposed.
- __Manual versus automated processes__: Companies relying heavily on manual checks are more vulnerable compared to those employing integrated, automated security measures.
- __Open source and public repositories__: Contributing to public repositories or sharing code between private and public environments increases the chance of inadvertently exposing secrets. Automated scanning tools regularly monitor public repositories, making exposed credentials quickly discoverable and potentially exploitable.

__Quantifying your organizations risk__
- __Inventory audits__: Continuously identify and catalog secrets used across your codebase, infrastructure, and workflows.
- __Incident history analysis__: Examine past incidents to spot patterns and common weaknesses.
- __Benchmarking against industry standards__: Compare your secret management practices against established security standards such as the [OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS)](https://github.com/OWASP/ASVS), NIST guidelines, and GitHub's documentation on [keeping your credentials secure](https://docs.github.com/en/rest/authentication/keeping-your-api-credentials-secure?apiVersion=2022-11-28). Gaps in compliance with these guidelines may indicate areas of heightened risk.
- __Security training completion__: Regularly audit developer participation and completion rates for security training and education programs. Organizations with inconsistent or incomplete training practices are more susceptible to secret leaks.

By implementing these strategies, you can improve your understanding of your organization's secret exposure. Identifying and quantifying your risk level is a critical step toward strengthening your security posture and ensuring alignment with your development processes.

---

__Current GitHub customers: Quickly assess your secret exposure__

GitHub’s secret risk assessment provides immediate, aggregated insights into your organization's exposure to leaked credentials. It helps you identify occurrences of publicly exposed secrets, evaluate internal exposure, and pinpoint the most common credential types at risk. Admins can run this assessment directly from their organization’s ‘Security’ tab, enabling rapid action to protect your organization from breaches.

[Share this link](https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/securing-your-organization/understanding-your-organizations-exposure-to-leaked-secrets/viewing-the-secret-risk-assessment-report-for-your-organization?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle) with an org admin to __run a secret risk assessment now.__

---

Throughout this article, we've examined the growing risks associated with secret leaks, including how quickly leaked credentials can escalate into costly breaches and the significant, long-term impacts on customer trust and operational productivity.

If you want to go beyond understanding your organization’s exposure and learn more about proactive security measures, check out our in-depth eBook, [Secret Scanning: A Key to Your Cybersecurity Strategy, where you'll discover](https://github.com/resources/whitepapers/secret-scanning-a-key-to-your-cybersecurity-strategy?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle):

- Comprehensive secrets management approaches.
- Key principles to enhance your organization's security posture.
- Practical guidance on implementing or improving your secrets management processes.

Additionally, check out [GitHub Secret Protection](https://github.com/security/advanced-security/secret-protection?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle) to learn how you can prevent secrets from being leaked across your enterprise and have your developers ship secure code, by default.

Want to learn more about the strategic role of AI and other innovations at GitHub? Explore [Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights) for more thought leadership on the future of technology and business.

39 million secrets leaked last year. Are yours safe? Here’s what you should know.

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