The Story
Follow the narrative to build a mental model of how everything connects.
The Enterprise
Everything starts with the GitHub Enterprise account — the top-level container that governs multiple organisations. Whether running on Cloud (SaaS) or Server (self-hosted), the enterprise account sets the tone for policies, billing, and support tiers.
The Identity Gate
Before anyone touches code, identity must be established. SAML SSO connects GitHub to your IdP. SCIM keeps users in sync automatically. For maximum control, Enterprise Managed Users let the IdP own the entire account lifecycle — users can’t even join external organisations.
The Team Structure
With identities in place, teams form the backbone of access control. Nested teams inherit parent permissions. IdP group sync keeps team membership aligned with directory groups. Custom repository roles extend the five base roles for fine-grained control.
The Repository Fortress
Repositories are where code lives, and their governance determines who can push, merge, and deploy. Branch protection rules enforce review requirements and status checks. Rulesets add layered enforcement with bypass actors. CODEOWNERS ensures the right people review the right files.
The Automation Engine
GitHub Actions powers CI/CD, automation, and developer workflows. Enterprise admins control which actions are allowed, manage runner infrastructure, and scope runners to specific teams. OIDC eliminates the need for stored cloud credentials.
The Security Shield
GitHub Advanced Security provides three pillars of defence: code scanning finds vulnerabilities with CodeQL, secret scanning detects leaked credentials, and Dependabot keeps dependencies patched. Push protection stops secrets before they reach the repository.
The Audit Trail
Every action leaves a trace. The audit log captures administrative and security events across the enterprise. Streaming sends events to your SIEM for real-time alerting. IP allow lists and 2FA requirements add layers of access control.
The Policy Cascade
Enterprise policies set the rules that flow down to every organisation. Repository creation, visibility defaults, forking restrictions, Actions permissions, and 2FA requirements are all configured here. Organisations can be more restrictive but never more permissive than the enterprise.
The Migration Path
When organisations move to GitHub Enterprise, migration tools smooth the transition. GitHub Enterprise Importer handles repos, issues, and PRs from other platforms. Server-to-Cloud migration paths connect self-hosted installations to the managed service.
The Day-Two Operations
After setup, day-two operations keep the platform healthy. Monitor GHAS adoption via security overview. Review audit logs for anomalies. Manage runner capacity. Rotate deploy keys and tokens. Maintain IP allow lists. Keep GHES updated with the latest releases.
