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Executive Briefing: 1-Click GitHub Security

Executive Summary

The Problem:

  • Data breaches cost $4.45M on average, 74% involve human error
  • 10 million secrets leaked to public GitHub repos in 2022 (67% increase from 2021)
  • Manual security tool integration is time-consuming and inconsistently applied across teams

The Solution:

One command installs 35+ security controls across Rust, Node.js, Python, Go, and generic projects. Blocks secrets, vulnerabilities, and policy violations before code reaches your repository.

Key Benefits:

  • Fast: Pre-push security checks complete in < 60 seconds
  • Automated: Fixes issues automatically where safe, blocks critical problems
  • Zero Dependencies: Single bash script, works on any Unix system
  • Open Source: Apache 2.0 license, no vendor lock-in or telemetry

Evaluation: Install on non-critical repository (~10 min), measure impact over 1-2 weeks, assess fit with existing tools.

Next Steps: Full documentation | Technical details below

Technical Overview

Open-source framework deploying 35+ security controls via git hooks and GitHub Actions. Supports Rust, Node.js, Python, Go, and generic projects with language-native tooling (cargo-deny, npm audit, bandit, govulncheck, gitleaks).

Architecture: Single-script installer (bash 3.2+, zero dependencies) that auto-detects project language and configures pre-push hooks (< 60s) + CI workflows for comprehensive analysis.

What Gets Deployed:

  • Git hooks (pre-commit format checking, pre-push security scanning)
  • GitHub Actions (security-audit.yml, CI, dependency-review, language-specific workflows)
  • Configuration (.gitleaks.toml, language security configs, audit logs)

Full technical documentation | Source code

Architecture & Design

Two-Tier Security Model:

  • Pre-push tier (< 60s): Blocks secrets, vulnerabilities, policy violations at commit time
  • CI/CD tier: Comprehensive SAST, SBOM generation, compliance checks, security metrics

Design Principles:

  • Single-script architecture (bash 3.2+, zero external dependencies)
  • Cryptographic verification (SHA256 checksums, Sigstore/gitsign commit signing, SLSA provenance)
  • Language-native tooling (leverages cargo, npm, pip, go ecosystems)
  • Standards alignment (OWASP, NIST, SLSA)

Implementation:

  • Auto-detection via file markers (Cargo.toml, package.json, go.mod, etc.)
  • Installs in ~10 minutes with checksum verification
  • All security decisions logged to .security-controls/logs/
  • No telemetry or external reporting

Maintenance:

  • Tools update via standard package managers
  • Re-run installer for hook updates
  • Optional Renovate bot for automated GitHub Actions updates
  • Emergency bypass: git push --no-verify for hotfixes

Performance: Pre-push hooks designed for < 60s total (actual time varies by repo size, dependency count, machine specs)

Evaluation & Customization

Pilot Process (2 weeks): 1. Install on non-critical repository (30 min) 2. Measure pre-push hook times, false positives, developer feedback 3. Assess fit vs. existing tools, maintenance overhead, customization needs

Customization Options:

  • .gitleaks.toml for secret patterns
  • Environment variables for tool configuration
  • Custom GitHub Actions workflows
  • Language-specific security settings

Resources & Support

Author: Albert Hui albert@securityronin.com LinkedIn Website

  • Enterprise security leadership at Deloitte, IBM, NTT, HSBC, Morgan Stanley
  • 20+ years Fortune 500 experience

License: Apache 2.0 - Free for commercial use