You control who can access your source code with security groups and role-based permissions, the principle of least privilege, multi-factor authentication, and regular reviews of who has access to what. The aim is that only the right engineers can reach the right repositories, and access is removed the moment someone no longer needs it. Your code is the business, so controlling access to it is fundamental.
Loose code access is a quiet risk that grows as a team changes. Here’s how to keep it tight.
1. Group-based, role-based access
Managing access through security groups tied to roles, rather than person by person, makes it consistent and easy to control. When someone changes role, their access changes with it, cleanly.
2. Least privilege
People should have access to the repositories they genuinely work on and no more. Keeping access tight limits the damage if an account is ever compromised, and reduces the risk of code leaking.
3. MFA in front of everything
Multi-factor authentication on the accounts that reach your code means a stolen password alone cannot get to it. It is one of the most effective protections for your most valuable asset.
4. Review and remove access
Regularly reviewing who can reach your code, and removing access promptly when people leave or move on, keeps the list accurate. A clear joiners and leavers process is key to this.
A real example: code access by security group
We supported a software company serving financial trading firms where access to code repositories and development tools was controlled through security groups, so only the right engineers could reach the right code, and changes to who had access were quick and consistent.
For most technology and trading firms, this sits within fully managed IT at about £45 to £100 per user per month, billed per user, with the security and resilience these businesses rely on built in.
Why technology and trading firms choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including software and technology companies and firms that serve financial markets. We know the systems these teams depend on: secure VPN and remote access, source control and build pipelines, virtual dev and test environments, Microsoft 365 and Teams, and the security that banks and regulators expect, from multi-factor authentication and endpoint protection to application allowlisting and email security. We work with technology and trading firms in London and across Essex and Hertfordshire. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support organisations with 10 to 100 employees across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Sure you know who can reach your code? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll tighten it up.