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GitHub Preview Requires Proof of Presence for High-Impact Actions

GitHub’s public-preview feature adds an identity-provider check before selected sensitive actions for a narrowly defined set of Enterprise Cloud organizations.
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GitHub’s public-preview proof-of-presence feature adds an identity-provider check before selected sensitive actions—but it is available only to Enterprise Managed User enterprises on GitHub Enterprise Cloud that use Microsoft Entra ID for SSO. Depending on the enterprise’s policy, the check can require signing in again or completing multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Who can use the feature?

GitHub announced the public preview on September 24, 2026. It is limited to Enterprise Managed User enterprises on github.com and GHEC-DR that use Microsoft Entra ID as their SSO identity provider through SAML or OIDC. It is not a general security setting for every GitHub account. GitHub’s announcement describes the preview scope.

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What happens when someone attempts a covered action?

GitHub redirects the member to Microsoft Entra ID when they attempt a covered action. The identity provider evaluates the enterprise’s configured policy, which may require signing in again, MFA, a device-compliance check, or another condition. GitHub allows the action only after the member returns with evidence that the required policy was met.

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GitHub says proof of presence is intended to confirm that an authorized person is acting at the time of a sensitive operation, rather than relying only on an already-valid session or token. The company’s announcement does not report measured security outcomes or guarantee that every hijacked credential or automated action will be blocked.

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Which actions does it cover?

The announcement lists these examples:

  • Creating a token
  • Editing webhooks
  • Changing organization security settings
  • Viewing recovery codes

These include both changes and access to sensitive information. GitHub described proof checks before pull-request merges as coming soon; the announcement does not establish that merge checks were already available in the preview.

How do re-authentication and MFA differ?

The enterprise configures the requirement through its identity-provider policy. GitHub describes two choices:

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  • Re-authentication: The member signs in again with the identity provider. Depending on that provider’s policy, a password may be enough; re-authentication does not necessarily mean MFA.
  • MFA: The member signs in again and completes an additional configured factor. GitHub’s examples include an authenticator-app or biometric challenge.

The meaningful distinction is the assurance the enterprise’s actual policy requires and the additional interaction it introduces at sensitive actions. GitHub’s announcement does not quantify the friction or comparative effectiveness of the options, nor does it establish support for a particular physical security device.

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How long does a successful check last?

After a successful challenge, members can perform further high-impact actions in the same browser session for two hours before another proof-of-presence check. The prompt therefore does not recur before every covered action during that window; this is a session-based check, not continuous verification.

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  • WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
  • FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
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  • PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts

GitHub presents the feature as a way to reduce abuse involving stolen session cookies and long-lived tokens. The announcement provides no study, organization-level statistic, or measured reduction in attacks.

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  • WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
  • FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
  • TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
  • BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.

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