Secret scanning detects generic passwords with AI (public beta)

Secret scanning now detects generic passwords using AI. Passwords are difficult to find with custom patterns — the AI-powered detection offers greater precision for unstructured credentials that can cause security breaches if exposed.

Passwords found in git content will create a secret scanning alert in a separate tab from regular alerts. Passwords will not be detected in non-git content, like GitHub Issues or pull requests, and are not included in push protection. Password detection is backed by the Copilot API and is available for all repositories with a GitHub Advanced Security license. You do not need a Copilot license to enable generic secret detection.

To start detecting passwords, select “Use AI detection to find additional secrets” within your code security and analysis settings at the repository level, or the code security global settings at the organization level.

• Learn more about secret scanning
• Learn more about generic secret detection
• Join the discussion within the dedicated feedback repository