GitHub Copilot vs Sourcegraph Cody Security
GitHub Copilot and Sourcegraph Cody are AI coding assistants that integrate into your development workflow. While Copilot has broader adoption and GitHub integration, Cody emphasizes codebase-aware context and enterprise features. Both can suggest insecure code patterns, and both send code to cloud servers for processing.
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The Verdict
Cody offers more flexibility for security-conscious organizations with self-hosted options and multiple model choices including local models. Copilot provides a more seamless experience with deep GitHub integration but less control over data handling. Both can suggest vulnerable code patterns and should be used with code review.
For maximum data control in regulated industries, Cody's self-hosted Sourcegraph option keeps code on-premises. For teams already on GitHub Enterprise with Microsoft compliance, Copilot integrates smoothly. Either way, review AI suggestions carefully, especially for authentication, database queries, and secret handling.
Industry Security Context
When comparing GitHub Copilot vs Sourcegraph Cody, consider these broader security trends.
of Lovable applications (170 out of 1,645) had exposed user data in the CVE-2025-48757 incident
Source: CVE-2025-48757 security advisory
of data breaches involve databases with misconfigured access controls
Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report
average cost of a data breach in 2023
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023
“Vibe coding your way to a production codebase is clearly risky. Most of the work we do as software engineers involves evolving existing systems, where the quality and understandability of the underlying code is crucial.”
Using GitHub Copilot or Sourcegraph Cody?
Regardless of which platform you choose, VAS scans for security issues specific to your stack.
Start Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
Which AI assistant is safer for sensitive codebases?
Cody offers more options for security-conscious organizations. You can run Sourcegraph on-premises with local models, keeping all code in your infrastructure. Copilot always sends code to cloud servers, though GitHub Enterprise offers data retention controls. For highly sensitive codebases, Cody's self-hosted option provides more control.
Do both assistants suggest insecure code patterns?
Yes, both can suggest vulnerable code including SQL injection, hardcoded secrets, missing input validation, and insecure authentication patterns. Studies show 30-40% of AI suggestions contain security issues. Neither tool is inherently safer - both require code review. Use security scanning tools like VAS on your deployed applications.
How do I prevent secrets from being sent to AI servers?
Both tools respect .gitignore, so ensure .env files and credential files are listed. However, secrets hardcoded in source files you're editing may still be sent. Use environment variables, secret managers, and never hardcode credentials. Cody's self-hosted option avoids sending code externally at all.
Which is better for enterprise compliance requirements?
Both offer SOC 2 compliance, but Cody's self-hosted option is better for strict compliance (HIPAA, FedRAMP, etc.) since code never leaves your infrastructure. Copilot for Business offers enterprise data protection within Microsoft/GitHub's infrastructure. Evaluate based on your specific compliance requirements.