GitHub Copilot Security Checklist
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Use this checklist to ensure your GitHub Copilot application is secure before launch. 8 critical items require immediate attention.
Why This Security Checklist Matters
Security checklists serve as systematic guides for identifying vulnerabilities that might otherwise be overlooked during rapid development cycles. For GitHub Copilot applications specifically, this checklist addresses the most common security gaps that emerge when using AI-assisted development workflows.
Research from multiple security organizations indicates that approximately 80% of AI-built applications contain at least one exploitable vulnerability at launch. The vulnerabilities are often predictable—they follow patterns that this checklist is designed to catch. By systematically reviewing each item, you significantly reduce the risk of launching an insecure application.
Unlike generic security checklists, this guide focuses specifically on vulnerabilities prevalent in GitHub Copilot applications. Each item has been prioritized based on real-world attack patterns and the potential impact of exploitation. Critical items should be addressed before any production deployment.
Critical Priority
Critical items can lead to complete application compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized access to all user accounts. These must be addressed before deploying to production. Attackers actively scan for these vulnerabilities.
High Priority
High priority items represent significant security risks that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. While not immediately catastrophic, these vulnerabilities should be fixed as soon as possible.
Medium/Low Priority
Medium and low priority items strengthen your overall security posture. While they may not be immediately exploitable, addressing them prevents attack chains and defense-in-depth gaps.
Manual vs Automated Security Checking
While manual security reviews are thorough, they're time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated scanning catches common vulnerabilities instantly, freeing you to focus on business logic and complex security decisions.
Items VAS Automates
- Exposed API keys and secrets in JavaScript bundles
- HTTP security header configuration
- Supabase RLS policy testing
- Firebase Security Rules validation
- Cookie security attributes
Manual Review Still Required
- Business logic vulnerabilities
- Custom authentication implementations
- Access control logic in API routes
- Data validation requirements
- Third-party integration security
Privacy Configuration
Review telemetry settings
Understand what data Copilot collects and configure appropriately
Ensure .gitignore is comprehensive
AutoCopilot respects .gitignore - add all sensitive files and directories
Use Copilot for Business for sensitive code
Business tier offers better data protection than individual tier
Review organization policies
Understand your organization's Copilot usage policies
Code Suggestion Review
Review all suggestions before accepting
Copilot can suggest insecure patterns - always review before Tab
Check for hardcoded credentials in suggestions
AutoAI may suggest code with placeholder or real credentials
Verify input validation in suggested code
Copilot often suggests code without proper input validation
Review SQL and database queries
Check for SQL injection and proper parameterization
Authentication Code Review
Don't trust Copilot for auth implementation
Authentication is security-critical - use established libraries instead
Review session handling suggestions
Copilot may suggest insecure session management patterns
Check password handling code
Ensure proper hashing (bcrypt, argon2) not MD5 or SHA1
Verify JWT implementation
Check for proper signing, verification, and expiration handling
Secret Management
Never accept secrets from Copilot
If Copilot suggests a secret value, it may be from training data
Use environment variables for all secrets
AutoEnsure Copilot-suggested code uses env vars, not hardcoded values
Exclude secret files from Copilot context
AutoAdd .env and credential files to .gitignore
Audit code for accidentally committed secrets
AutoRun secret scanning tools to catch any leaked credentials
Don't Check Manually
VAS automatically checks 5 of these 16 items. Get instant results with detailed remediation guidance.
Run Automated Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between critical and high priority items?
Critical items represent immediate security risks that could lead to data breach if not addressed - like missing database access controls or exposed secrets. High priority items are important but typically require an additional vulnerability to exploit.
Can I skip low priority items?
Low priority items provide defense-in-depth but aren't immediate risks. Address all critical and high items before launch. Low items can be added post-launch, but shouldn't be ignored entirely - they protect against edge cases and future vulnerabilities.
How often should I re-run this checklist?
Re-run after major feature additions, authentication changes, or new database tables. Set up automated scanning with VAS to catch regressions. Many teams integrate security scans into their CI/CD pipeline for continuous verification.
What does 'Auto-Scanned' mean on checklist items?
Items marked 'Auto-Scanned' can be automatically verified by VAS. Instead of manually checking each item, run a VAS scan to instantly verify these items against your deployed application. Non-automated items require manual verification.