Not just flightless birds: How EMUs secure and scale identity and access management for your GitHub Enterprise

Enterprise Managed Users (EMUs) are a feature introduced in GitHub Enterprise Cloud (GHEC) to enhance security and management for organizations using GitHub. Originating from the evolving needs of enterprises for identity management and content protection, EMUs allow organizations to provision standardized accounts through their identity providers, ensuring that user information like usernames and email addresses are consistent and managed centrally. This model emphasizes security by preventing EMU users from creating public repositories or collaborating outside of their enterprise's context, thereby providing a clear separation between professional and personal GitHub activities. The EMU model caters to enterprises requiring strict user management and data protection, offering a more controlled and secure environment compared to the traditional "bring your own account" approach. While migrating to the EMU system involves a process, it offers administrators simplified management and increased security, making it an appealing option for organizations seeking comprehensive control over their GitHub user accounts.