GitLab is a cloud-based Git repository and version control system that allows DevOps teams to cover the full software development lifecycle from a single application. It offers comprehensive security and compliance management features, including access control, vulnerability scanning, and code analysis tools.
Access Control
GitLab simplifies auditing and compliance with granular access controls and reporting. It offers advanced access control features such as protecting project creation/deletion, limiting visibility into projects, groups, and snippets, and identifying who owns certain repository files or paths with Code Owners.
Here are some examples of access control options in GitLab:
- Protecting project creation/deletion: GitLab allows administrators to restrict who can create or delete projects, ensuring that only authorized users can perform these actions.
- Limiting visibility into projects, groups, and snippets: GitLab enables administrators to limit the visibility of projects, groups, and snippets to specific users or teams, ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized personnel.
- Identifying who owns certain repository files or paths: GitLab Code Owners helps teams identify who owns certain repository files or paths, so contributors can share changes with owners to ensure quality.
Source: How to implement version control with GitLab
Vulnerability Scanning
GitLab makes it possible to automatically scan code for quality and security with every commit. It offers various security scanning tools, including Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Dependency Scanning, Container Scanning, and License Compliance.
Here are some examples of vulnerability scanning options in GitLab:
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST): GitLab can scan application code for security vulnerabilities during the development process, providing immediate feedback to developers.
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): GitLab can scan running web applications for security vulnerabilities, simulating attacks to identify potential security risks.
- Dependency Scanning: GitLab can scan project dependencies for known security vulnerabilities, ensuring that all dependencies are up-to-date and secure.
- Container Scanning: GitLab can scan container images for known vulnerabilities, ensuring that all container images are secure and compliant.
- License Compliance: GitLab can scan project dependencies for open source licenses, ensuring that all dependencies comply with the project’s license requirements.
Source: Security and compliance management
Code Analysis Tools
GitLab offers various code analysis tools, including Code Quality, Code Review, and Performance Analysis. These tools help developers write high-quality, secure, and performant code.
Here are some examples of code analysis tools in GitLab:
- Code Quality: GitLab can analyze application code for quality issues, such as code smells, bugs, and security vulnerabilities.
- Code Review: GitLab offers a code review tool that enables developers to review and comment on each other’s code, ensuring that all code changes meet quality and security standards.
- Performance Analysis: GitLab can analyze application performance, identifying potential bottlenecks and performance issues.
Source: Discover four ways developers can write secure code with GitLab
Secure Partner Integration
GitLab offers a Secure Partner Integration onboarding process that describes the developer workflow GitLab intends for users to follow with regards to security results. This process ensures that partner integrations fit with the workflow GitLab users are already familiar with.
Here are some examples of secure partner integration options in GitLab:
- Integration Tiers: GitLab offers various integration tiers that provide different levels of security and compliance features.
- GitLab Developer Workflow: GitLab provides a developer workflow for integrating with the Secure Stage, ensuring that security results are integrated correctly.
- Onboarding Resources: GitLab provides various resources for onboarding as a partner, including technical documentation and best practices.
Source: Secure Partner Integration - Onboarding Process
Compliance Certifications
GitLab offers various compliance certifications, including SOC 2 Type 1 Report (Security and Confidentiality criteria), ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO/IEC 27017:2015, and ISO/IEC 27018:2019. These certifications ensure that GitLab meets various security and compliance standards.
Source: GitLab Dedicated
Conclusion
GitLab offers comprehensive security and compliance management features, including access control, vulnerability scanning, and code analysis tools. These features help developers write high-quality, secure, and performant code, ensuring that all code changes meet quality and security standards. Additionally, GitLab offers various compliance certifications, ensuring that it meets various security and compliance standards.
