How to improve source code security and avoid IP theft

Gain actionable visibility through dashboards and risk indicators that spotlight high-value repos and paths.

Source code is ranked as one of the top three most valuable IP data types, especially for technology, medical device, and software companies. Yet, protecting it from unsanctioned use is difficult for security teams. 88% of security leaders wish they had more visibility into source code that is sent to repositories to ensure it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.

The most recent update from the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property estimates the cost of U.S. intellectual property theft (IP) at between $180 billion and $540 billion. Having a way to accurately detect and respond to IP theft helps businesses avoid financial loss, protect their competitive advantage, and yes, ensure no damage is done to their reputation.

For example, software developers utilize Git to create source code. Much of their Git usage is sanctioned as part of their everyday work: creating or pulling existing code and pushing it to corporate and/or open-source repositories. However, engineers who want to exfiltrate IP could also use Git to send code to a personal code repository service, such as GitHub.

Incydr watches all Git activity to identify if the code came from your corporate repository. This allows security to accurately pinpoint source code exfiltration and speed response times without getting in the way of sanctioned development or impacting engineering team productivity.

What good source code security looks like

Effective source code security programs do three things exceptionally well: they see, know, and act. Strong visibility allows teams to see code movement in context — tracking pushes, pulls, copies, compressions, uploads, and shares across endpoints, browsers, terminals, IDEs, cloud drives, personal email, external repositories, and paste sites. This continuous awareness helps identify when legitimate collaboration ends and potential exfiltration begins.

The second element is knowing what activity is sanctioned and what isn’t. Security teams must distinguish trusted corporate repositories and approved collaboration spaces from personal or unknown destinations. This distinction minimizes unnecessary noise by allowing legitimate pushes, pulls, and automated operations to continue uninterrupted while spotlighting true risks.

Finally, good programs act with proportional response. They match each action to the intent and impact behind it. Accidental or first-time mistakes can be addressed through user coaching, while confirmed exfiltration attempts warrant containment, investigation, and formal documentation. This balanced approach preserves developer productivity while protecting valuable intellectual property.

Common risks to address

Source code security programs must anticipate a range of potential risks. One of the most common involves untrusted repositories and personal accounts — when code is moved from corporate repositories to unmanaged Git services or personal mirrors. Cloud storage and collaboration tools also pose challenges, as developers may upload archives or files to unapproved drives, chat platforms, or ticketing systems.

Secrets exposure remains another key security issue. Credentials, tokens, and encryption keys embedded in code or configuration files can lead to larger security incidents if not managed properly. Developers may also unintentionally paste sensitive code into generative AI tools or temporary paste sites, expanding the risk of unauthorized access. Endpoint behaviors such as bulk zipping, copying to external drives, or unusual terminal activity before an employee’s departure can also signal exfiltration attempts. Lastly, offboarding gaps — where access is retained after notice periods or role changes — can leave critical code repositories vulnerable.

Best practices for source code security

A strong source code security framework starts with access control. Apply least-privilege principles so only authorized users can read, clone, or push to sensitive repositories, and require multi-factor authentication for high-privilege accounts. Implement branch protection rules and mandatory code reviews to prevent unauthorized or insecure changes to key components.

Maintain strong secrets hygiene by keeping credentials and sensitive information out of source code entirely. Rotate keys regularly and manage service account credentials in secure vaults. Integrate static and dynamic testing into the development lifecycle — using Static Application Security Testing (SAST) to catch potential security vulnerabilities early and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) to validate security in running applications.

Secure your CI/CD environment by protecting runners, artifacts, and pipelines. Sign builds and maintain a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for traceability and compliance. Continuous monitoring is also vital; observe code movement patterns, track anomalous volumes, and alert only when risk is genuine. Finally, document your offboarding procedures clearly. Align HR, IT, and security to create scenario-based workflows that ensure access is revoked, data is secured, and accountability is recorded at every stage.

With Mimecast Incydr, security teams can:

• Continuously monitor developer endpoints for Git commands
• Access the Source Code Risk Dashboard for easy visibility into all the risky Git activity
• Ensure legitimate Git push activity does not generate alerts, thus avoiding alert fatigue for administrators
• Custom source Incydr Risk Indicators (IRIs) for source code repository paths so you can identify your highest value repository
• Monitor Git pull, clone, and fetch activity to trace files coming from a corporate repository
• Receive alerts on unsanctioned source code movement
• Tailor your response to risk based on the offender and the offense with a full response strategy

Learn more here

Developer-friendly by design

Security only works when it respects how developers build. Incydr reduces friction by:

• Focusing on risky destinations and anomalous behavior, not every command.
• Preserving normal Git operations and CI/CD workflows.
• Providing clear, contextual alerts that help responders act without guesswork.

The bottom line

Source code security requires visibility, context, and proportional response. Organizations that can track how code moves, distinguish sanctioned activity from risk, and act without disrupting developer productivity are better positioned to protect valuable intellectual property.

By focusing on continuous monitoring and contextual risk assessment, teams can reduce the likelihood of silent source code leaks while maintaining the speed and flexibility modern engineering teams rely on.

Explore Source Code Security Solutions

**This blog has been updated from a previous version.