GitHub Unveils Passkeys and Innovation Graph: Boosting Security and Open Data for Developers

Passkeys Launch

On September 21, GitHub publicly released Passkeys for GitHub.com, a password‑less authentication method based on the FIDO2 standard. Passkeys combine public‑key cryptography with biometric or device‑PIN verification, allowing accounts to be secured with a single step that merges the benefits of passwords and two‑factor authentication.

Benefits include simpler setup, improved recoverability, and reduced risk of credential theft. Developers can protect their GitHub accounts more easily, lowering the chance of lockouts and unauthorized access.

GitHub product manager Hirsch Singhal noted that after a beta period with tens of thousands of developers, Passkeys are now available to all GitHub.com users, fulfilling the company’s commitment to secure every contributor with 2FA by the end of 2023 while preserving a smooth user experience. Cross‑device registration is supported, allowing smartphones to register keys that work on Linux and Firefox desktops.

Innovation Graph Introduction

On September 23, GitHub launched the Innovation Graph, an open data and insights platform that tracks global software development activity. The platform provides longitudinal metrics dating back to 2020, covering repository activity, language popularity, licensing, contributor statistics, and collaboration trends.

All data are available for download under a CC0 1.0 license, enabling researchers, policymakers, and developers to conduct empirical studies without the barriers of proprietary data sources.

The Innovation Graph aims to democratize access to valuable development data, supporting academic research, policy analysis, and strategic decision‑making across industries.

Impact for Developers and Policymakers

Developers gain richer context for their contributions, helping them align with global trends and showcase impact. Policymakers can leverage the data to design initiatives that promote digital transformation, high‑skill employment, and economic growth linked to open‑source activity.

GitHub also announced support for migrating projects from Bitbucket Server/Data Center via GitHub Enterprise Importer and for moving CI/CD pipelines from Atlassian tools using GitHub Actions Importer.

GitHub encourages community feedback to continuously improve the Innovation Graph and related services.