What Every Developer Needs to Know About GitHub Branch Protection

Branch protection is a set of controls within source code management platforms that regulate actions on git repositories. It allows repository administrators to enforce flexible, specific rules on branches, such as requiring pull request reviews and status checks before merging. This helps maintain structured workflows in software development projects by ensuring only code meeting team standards is merged. Branch protection plays a crucial role in DevOps and DevSecOps governance, enforcing policies and practices that guide the development and deployment process. It ensures code quality/security, prevents disruptions, and maintains control over sensitive environments.