GitHub Enterprise Cloud with data residency: How we built the next evolution of GitHub Enterprise using GitHub

GitHub announced the launch of data residency for its Enterprise Cloud, starting in the European Union on October 29, 2024, to meet customer demands for geographical control over data storage. This enhancement allows organizations to store their GitHub code and repository data in their preferred regions, leveraging Microsoft Azure's security and infrastructure. The initiative, which began in 2022, was a collaborative effort across GitHub, focusing on creating a consistent developer experience despite the new data residency feature. The architecture was designed to extend the existing Enterprise Cloud, ensuring performance, reliability, and security, while maintaining synchronized deployments with GitHub.com. GitHub utilized its own platform for project organization, deployment, and testing, incorporating tools like GitHub Actions and Codespaces. The development process involved a phased deployment model, including internal testing, "Canary" phases, and gradual rollouts using feature flags to mitigate risk. The company also prioritized using the new environment internally to refine the product, deploying over 8,000 times to gather feedback and enhance stability. Future expansions of data residency to other regions are planned, with a showcase at GitHub Universe 2024 to further discuss its impact on software development.