# 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

1. native push blocking for high-value repos
2. pipeline or repo scanning for broad coverage
3. one-time historic scan when enabling late
4. local scanner for developer machines and heterogeneous SCM
5. gate on newly introduced or unresolved secret findings

## Cross-links

* [🔐 Repository Secret Scanning](/application-security-and-secure-sdlc/index-1/repository-secret-scanning.md)
* [🚦 Secret Scanning in Quality Gates](/devsecops-cicd-and-supply-chain/index-1/secret-scanning-quality-gates.md)

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