Github Advanced Security Certification: Complete Guide 2026
GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY
The GitHub Advanced Security certification (GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY) is built for security engineers, DevSecOps practitioners, GitHub administrators, and developers who secure modern software delivery pipelines. This GitHub Advanced Security overview focuses on the skills that matter most: code scanning, secret scanning, dependency security, and governance. With 75 questions in 120 minutes and a passing score of 700/1000, the exam validates practical knowledge for teams that need stronger repository protection, safer CI/CD workflows, and measurable security maturity.
Exam Details
Resources
Everything you need to pass
Comprehensive preparation materials for your GitHub Advanced Security exam
Exam Content
Exam Domains & Topics
Master these 4 domains to pass your exam
Code Scanning and Analysis
Secret Scanning and Protection
Dependency Management and Security
Security Policies and Governance
Who Should Take This Exam?
- Security engineers responsible for securing development pipelines
- GitHub administrators managing enterprise security policies
- DevOps professionals integrating security into CI/CD workflows
- Developers working with security-critical applications
Study Timeline
6-10 weeks
Recommended duration
Foundation · Weeks 1-2
Review exam objectives & core concepts
Deep Dive · Weeks 3-6
Study each domain with hands-on labs
Practice & Review · Weeks 7-8
Take practice exams & target weak areas
Study Guide
GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY Study Plan
The GitHub Advanced Security certification validates your expertise in implementing and managing security features within GitHub repositories. This certification demonstrates proficiency in code scanning, secret detection, dependency management, and security governance - essential skills for DevSecOps professionals working with GitHub Enterprise.
Week 1-2
Foundation and Code Scanning
Build foundational knowledge and master code scanning features
- Complete GitHub Advanced Security documentation overview
- Set up code scanning on 3+ repositories with different languages
- Write and test at least 5 custom CodeQL queries
- Understand SARIF format and alert triage process
- Configure GitHub Actions workflows for code scanning
Week 3-4
Secret Scanning and Protection
Master secret detection and prevention mechanisms
- Enable secret scanning on organization and repository levels
- Configure push protection and practice bypass workflows
- Create custom secret patterns for organization-specific tokens
- Practice secret remediation procedures
- Understand partner program integration and notifications
- Work with secret scanning API
Week 4-5
Dependency Management Deep Dive
Master Dependabot and dependency security features
- Configure Dependabot for 5+ different package ecosystems
- Write complex dependabot.yml configurations
- Enable and test dependency review in pull requests
- Practice vulnerability triage and dependency updates
- Understand supply chain security concepts
- Configure private registry access for Dependabot
Week 6
Security Policies and Governance
Learn organization-wide security management
- Configure organization-level security policies
- Set up security overview dashboard and generate reports
- Create security advisories and SECURITY.md files
- Configure branch protection rules with security requirements
- Practice with audit logs and compliance reporting
- Understand license management for GitHub Advanced Security
Week 7
Integration and Advanced Topics
Master integrations and advanced configurations
- Integrate third-party security tools
- Configure complex security workflows with GitHub Actions
- Practice API usage for security features
- Review security hardening for GitHub Actions
- Work through end-to-end security implementation scenarios
Week 8
Review and Practice
Comprehensive review and exam preparation
- Review all exam domains systematically
- Complete practice questions for each domain
- Review weak areas identified during practice
- Set up end-to-end security configuration in test organization
- Create summary notes and flashcards
- Take final practice assessments
Study tips
Hands-on Practice Strategy
- Create a test organization with multiple repositories to practice organization-level configurations
- Fork open-source projects and enable all GHAS features to see real-world alerts
- Practice with at least 3-4 different programming languages for code scanning
- Intentionally commit test secrets and vulnerabilities to practice detection and remediation
- Set up a personal lab environment with different repository configurations to test all features
CodeQL Mastery
- Start with GitHub's CodeQL query library and study existing queries before writing your own
- Practice writing queries for the language you know best first, then expand
- Use the CodeQL playground in VS Code for rapid query development and testing
- Understand the difference between path-problem and alert queries
- Study common vulnerability patterns and how they're detected in CodeQL
- Learn to read and interpret Abstract Syntax Trees (AST) for code analysis
Secret Scanning Focus Areas
- Memorize the list of supported secret types and partner providers
- Understand push protection bypass scenarios and when they're appropriate
- Practice creating custom patterns using regular expressions
- Know the difference between generic secrets and partner patterns
- Study proper secret rotation procedures for different credential types
- Understand the audit trail for secret scanning events
Dependabot Configuration
- Practice writing dependabot.yml files for multiple ecosystems (npm, pip, Maven, NuGet, etc.)
- Understand version update strategies and scheduling options
- Learn to configure private registry authentication for various package managers
- Know how to group dependencies and customize pull request behavior
- Study the difference between security updates and version updates
- Practice triaging and prioritizing vulnerability alerts
Exam-Specific Preparation
- Focus heavily on configuration syntax and YAML files for Dependabot and Actions
- Understand the percentage weights: Code Scanning (30%) gets most questions
- Know the API endpoints and REST API usage for security features
- Memorize organization-level vs repository-level permission requirements
- Study the security overview dashboard metrics and filtering options
- Understand license seat consumption for GitHub Advanced Security
- Know branch protection rule options specific to security features
Documentation Navigation
- Bookmark key documentation sections for quick reference during study
- Use GitHub's documentation search effectively by including version numbers
- Study the changelog to understand recent feature updates
- Read troubleshooting sections for common issues and solutions
- Review API documentation even if not a developer - endpoints indicate feature capabilities
- Pay attention to GitHub Enterprise Cloud vs Server feature differences
Exam day checklist
- Review the 4 main domains and their weightings before starting: Code Scanning (30%), Secret Scanning (25%), Dependency Management (25%), Security Policies (20%)
- Time management is crucial: 120 minutes for 75 questions means roughly 1.6 minutes per question
- Read questions carefully - many will test understanding of when to use features, not just what they do
- Look for keywords in questions: 'organization-level', 'repository-level', 'required', 'recommended'
- Questions about YAML configuration will likely appear - know the syntax for dependabot.yml and workflow files
- If unsure about a question, eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then make an educated guess
- Flag difficult questions and return to them - don't let one question consume too much time
- Pay attention to scenario-based questions requiring you to recommend the best solution
- Remember that push protection is different from secret scanning - they're often confused in questions
- CodeQL query questions may test understanding of query structure and results interpretation
- Know the difference between Dependabot alerts, security updates, and version updates
- Understanding audit logging and compliance reporting is crucial for governance questions
- Some questions may reference specific file names like SECURITY.md or dependabot.yml
- Review your answers if time permits, especially checking for misread questions
Career
Career Opportunities
Roles and salary potential for GitHub Advanced Security certified professionals
Related Job Titles
$115,000
Average Annual Salary
From the Blog
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Guides and insights for GitHub Advanced Security professionals
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Prerequisites
Working knowledge of GitHub repositories and workflows Understanding of basic security concepts and vulnerabilities Experience with code repositories and version control Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and development practices
GitHub Advanced Security FAQs
Common questions about the GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY certification exam
The GitHub Advanced Security certification validates your ability to implement and manage GitHub's security features including code scanning, secret scanning, and Dependabot. It demonstrates expertise in securing the software development lifecycle using GitHub's native security tools.
The exam is considered intermediate level, requiring hands-on experience with GitHub Advanced Security features. Candidates should have practical experience implementing security scanning, managing vulnerabilities, and configuring security policies in GitHub environments.
Professionals with GitHub Advanced Security certification typically earn between $95,000 and $135,000 annually, with an average of $115,000. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and whether combined with other DevSecOps or cloud security certifications.
Sources
About the GitHub Advanced Security Certification
The GitHub Advanced Security (GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY) is a associate-level certification offered by Microsoft Azure. This certification validates your expertise in cybersecurity and is recognized globally by employers seeking qualified professionals. The exam consists of 75 questions to be completed in 120 minutes, with a passing score of 700/1000. The exam fee is $99, and the certification is valid for 3 years.
Why Get GitHub Advanced Security Certified?
- Career Advancement: Certified professionals earn an average of $115,000 per year. Microsoft Azure-certified professionals are among the most sought-after in the cybersecurity industry.
- Industry Recognition: Microsoft Azure certifications are respected worldwide by employers, demonstrating verified competency in cybersecurity technologies and practices.
- Skill Validation: The GitHub Advanced Security exam rigorously tests your knowledge across 4 domains, ensuring you have the practical skills employers demand.
GitHub Advanced Security Exam Format & Details
The GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY exam is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Candidates are given 120 minutes to complete the exam, which contains approximately 75 questions. A score of 700/1000 is required to pass. As an associate-level certification, it requires a solid understanding of the core technologies and some hands-on experience. Prerequisites include: Working knowledge of GitHub repositories and workflows Understanding of basic security concepts and vulnerabilities Experience with code repositories and version control Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and development practices.
Exam Domains & Topics
The GitHub Advanced Security exam covers 4 key domains. Understanding the weight of each domain helps you allocate your study time effectively:
- Code Scanning and Analysis (30% of exam)
- Secret Scanning and Protection (25% of exam)
- Dependency Management and Security (25% of exam)
- Security Policies and Governance (20% of exam)
Who Should Take the GitHub Advanced Security Exam?
This certification is designed for professionals in the following roles:
- Security engineers responsible for securing development pipelines
- GitHub administrators managing enterprise security policies
- DevOps professionals integrating security into CI/CD workflows
- Developers working with security-critical applications
Career Opportunities & Salary
Earning the GitHub Advanced Security certification opens doors to roles such as DevSecOps Engineer, Security Engineer, GitHub Administrator, Application Security Specialist. Certified professionals earn an average salary of $115,000 per year, reflecting the high demand for cybersecurity skills in today's job market.
Recertification & Renewal
The GitHub Advanced Security certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your credential, you will need to meet Microsoft Azure's renewal requirements before your certification expires. This may include earning continuing education credits, passing a recertification exam, or earning a higher-level certification.
Exam Registration & Cost
The GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY exam costs $99. You can register through Microsoft Azure's official website or an authorized testing center. Most candidates choose between in-person testing at a Pearson VUE or PSI center and online proctored exams taken from home. Be sure to review the exam policies, including identification requirements and prohibited items, before your test date.
How to Prepare for GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY
We recommend 6-10 weeks of dedicated study time to prepare for the GitHub Advanced Security exam. Start by reviewing the official exam objectives, then work through each domain systematically. Regular practice with exam-style questions is essential for building confidence and identifying weak areas. Combine reading with hands-on practice to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
HydraNode publishes free exam dumps with answers and explanations for more than 80 certification exams. Every question is written to the published objectives, so what you practise matches the format and difficulty of the actual GH-ADVANCED-SECURITY exam.