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Developers are constantly working to deliver features, fix bugs, and keep projects moving — and security isn’t always front and center. Without the right tools and visibility, vulnerabilities can slip through because they’re not seen or prioritized. However, as recent statistics show, this approach is no longer sustainable. This blog explores how to address the security gap in software development, why tools like GitHub Advanced Security and GitHub Copilot are critical to the solution, and how Xebia can guide you through the transformation. Let’s make security a core part of how we build, not just an additional task on the to-do list.
Over 1 Billion Impacted — The Time to Act Is Now
By 2024, the number of people impacted by risky software had almost tripled — rising from 400 million in 2022 to over one billion. This escalating crisis underscores an urgent reality: we need to take responsibility. Marcel de Vries, Global Managing Director and CTO of Xebia Microsoft Services, makes it clear: “As an industry, we can no longer afford to treat security as an afterthought. It’s time to shift our mindset and weave security into every phase of the development process, not just bolt it on at the end. With technology ingrained in every aspect of our lives, from essential services to everyday interactions, secure software is critical, and the time to act is now.”
The Culture Gap Holding Back Software Security
Speaking with De Vries, a clear pattern emerges — security often takes a back seat. Under constant pressure to deliver new features and keep up with day-to-day demands, many organizations push security down the priority list. But the issue runs deeper than just time constraints. De Vries highlights a broader industry mindset, “Security just isn’t embedded in our culture. It’s rarely emphasized in training programs, seldom championed within teams, and often treated as a one-off task rather than a continuous responsibility," he says. "Meanwhile, cyber criminals never rest. They’re always searching for weaknesses. If we don’t match that level of persistence, we will always be one step behind."
Security Built In — Not Bolted On
It’s clear that security needs to be taken more seriously. But knowing how to start can be tough, especially for teams already stretched thin. That’s where GitHub comes in. With GitHub Advanced Security, integrating security into every stage of your software development lifecycle becomes straightforward. It helps you shift left without slowing down. When combined with GitHub Copilot, security becomes a natural part of the workflow — less manual work and fewer blind spots. And for teams looking to adopt these tools effectively, guidance and training can make all the difference — ensuring not just implementation but lasting change.
GitHub Advanced Security in Practice
GitHub Advanced Security (GHAS) works quietly in the background, integrating seamlessly into your existing development workflow. As your team builds software —often using a mix of open-source components and internal code — GHAS continuously scans for known vulnerabilities, unsafe coding patterns, and outdated dependencies. Giving you clear, actionable insights directly in your development environment. When paired with GitHub Copilot, resolving issues becomes even simpler. GitHub Copilot suggests secure fixes, leaving you to review and apply them. It’s not about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about making security part of the way you already work.
"With AI like GitHub Copilot accelerating development and tools like GitHub Advanced Security shifting security left, GitHub is redefining what’s possible across the entire software development lifecycle."
Embedding Security in Your SDLC With Xebia
Integrating GHAS and GitHub Copilot into your software development lifecycle goes beyond deploying tools. It’s about embedding security into your entire process. At Xebia, we help you define clear initiatives, identify critical security elements, and work through them — systematically creating an internal campaign that you can monitor and improve over time. We guide you through the process of making GHAS a natural part of your SDLC, ensuring your team knows how to use it effectively and leverage GitHub Copilot to fix security issues with the right prompts. But it doesn’t stop there. Our approach also includes comprehensive security training to help your team prevent issues before they arise, reducing errors and strengthening your development practices from the start.
Turn Security Into a Strategic Advantage with GitHub
If your organization is already using GitHub but hasn’t taken advantage of GitHub Advanced Security, you could be missing a key layer of protection. With the right strategy and setup, GHAS helps your team find and fix vulnerabilities earlier, automate security checks, reduce risk, and streamline compliance. It’s not just about staying secure. It’s a strategic move toward building security into every stage of the software lifecycle.
Let’s connect to explore how GitHub Advanced Security can enable your developers to move faster without compromising on safety.
Discover More and Join Us Live!
If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, be sure to check out our dedicated webpage to learn more. We’re also excited to announce that we’re hosting an event series across EMEA, where we’ll explore these ideas further and bring together experts and enthusiasts alike. You can find all the upcoming GitHub (and more) events on Xebia's event page.
And if you enjoyed this article, we think you’ll love Beyond The Repo — How GitHub Copilot Is Redefining Software Development. It’s an eye-opening exploration of how Copilot is transforming the developer experience.