TL;DR
GitHub Copilot offers enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 compliance and optional code exclusion, while Amazon CodeWhisperer includes built-in security scanning and reference tracking for open source code. CodeWhisperer's Professional tier doesn't use your code for training, and Copilot Business provides the same guarantee. Both are solid choices, but CodeWhisperer's integrated security scanning is unique.
GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer are the two most established AI coding assistants from major tech companies. Both integrate into popular IDEs and provide intelligent code suggestions, but they have different approaches to security, privacy, and enterprise features. This comparison examines their security implications for developers and organizations.
Platform Overview
What Is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is Microsoft and GitHub's AI coding assistant powered by OpenAI models. It provides code completions, chat-based assistance, and now agent-like capabilities for multi-file edits. Copilot integrates deeply with GitHub's ecosystem, including pull request summaries and code review features. It's available as individual, business, and enterprise tiers.
What Is Amazon CodeWhisperer?
Amazon CodeWhisperer is AWS's AI coding assistant that provides real-time code suggestions and a built-in security scanner. It's trained on Amazon's internal codebase and open source code. CodeWhisperer integrates with AWS services and can suggest IAM policies and SDK patterns. It offers Individual (free) and Professional tiers.
Security Feature Comparison
| Security Feature | GitHub Copilot | Amazon CodeWhisperer |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Security Scanning | No (separate tool) | Yes, included |
| Reference Tracking | Shows matching code | Shows license info |
| Code Training Opt-Out | Business/Enterprise tiers | Professional tier |
| SOC 2 Compliance | Type II certified | Via AWS compliance |
| Data Encryption | In transit and at rest | In transit and at rest |
| Enterprise SSO | Enterprise tier | AWS IAM Identity Center |
| Content Exclusion | Repository-level exclusions | Not available |
| Audit Logging | Enterprise tier | CloudTrail integration |
Data Privacy Deep Dive
Copilot's Data Handling
GitHub Copilot Individual may use your code snippets to improve the model unless you opt out. Copilot Business and Enterprise explicitly don't use your code for training, and your prompts aren't stored beyond what's needed for the current session. Microsoft's data practices apply, with code processed on Azure infrastructure.
Key Copilot privacy features include:
- Business tier guarantees no training on your code
- Content exclusions to block specific repos from AI
- Duplicate detection filters out near-matches to public code
- Telemetry can be limited in IDE settings
CodeWhisperer's Data Handling
CodeWhisperer Individual tier may use your code context to improve the service. CodeWhisperer Professional guarantees your code isn't used for training and isn't stored after processing. AWS compliance frameworks apply, which may be beneficial if you're already in the AWS ecosystem with existing compliance documentation.
Key CodeWhisperer privacy features include:
- Professional tier no-training guarantee
- AWS PrivateLink option for network isolation
- CloudTrail logging for security auditing
- Integration with AWS Organizations for policy management
Security Scanning Capabilities
CodeWhisperer Security Scans
CodeWhisperer includes a built-in security scanner that analyzes your code for vulnerabilities as you write. It checks for common security issues like hardcoded credentials, SQL injection patterns, and insecure cryptographic practices. This scanner runs alongside code suggestions, providing real-time security feedback without requiring additional tools.
Copilot Security Approach
GitHub Copilot doesn't include built-in security scanning, but GitHub's ecosystem includes Dependabot and CodeQL for security analysis. These tools are separate from Copilot and require additional setup. The separation means you need to configure security scanning independently, but it also means more flexibility in your security tooling choices.
Choose Copilot When: You're already invested in the GitHub ecosystem and want deep integration with repositories, pull requests, and GitHub Actions. Copilot's content exclusion features and enterprise controls work well for organizations managing multiple repositories with varying sensitivity levels. Best for teams using GitHub Enterprise.
Choose CodeWhisperer When: You're building on AWS and want integrated security scanning without additional tools. CodeWhisperer's reference tracking helps manage open source license compliance, and AWS compliance documentation simplifies enterprise adoption. Best for AWS-centric organizations and those prioritizing built-in security features.
Open Source Code Handling
Reference and Attribution
Both tools can suggest code that resembles open source training data. CodeWhisperer flags when suggestions match training data and shows the associated open source license, helping you avoid license compliance issues. Copilot has a similar feature that shows matching public code, letting you decide whether to use the suggestion.
License Implications
Using AI-generated code that matches GPL or other copyleft licensed code could have licensing implications for your project. CodeWhisperer's license attribution makes this easier to track. Both tools recommend reviewing suggestions that match training data before incorporating them into commercial codebases.
Enterprise Deployment
Copilot Enterprise Controls
GitHub Copilot Enterprise includes organization-wide policy controls, SAML SSO, audit logs, and the ability to exclude sensitive repositories from AI processing. Administrators can set policies that apply across all developers, ensuring consistent security practices. Integration with GitHub Advanced Security provides comprehensive code analysis.
CodeWhisperer Enterprise Controls
CodeWhisperer Professional uses AWS IAM Identity Center for authentication and authorization. Organizations can use AWS Organizations service control policies to manage CodeWhisperer access. CloudTrail provides detailed logging of CodeWhisperer API calls, useful for security auditing and compliance reporting.
Best Practices for Both Tools
- Use Business/Professional tiers for any commercial or sensitive work
- Enable reference tracking to catch potential license issues
- Review AI-generated code for security issues before committing
- Configure telemetry settings according to your privacy requirements
- Use content exclusions for repositories with sensitive code
- Enable CodeWhisperer security scanning or set up GitHub security tools
- Document AI tool usage policies for your development team
Does GitHub Copilot store my code?
Copilot Business and Enterprise don't store your code after processing. Copilot Individual may use code snippets to improve the service unless you opt out. All tiers encrypt data in transit and limit retention to what's needed for immediate processing.
Is CodeWhisperer's security scanner reliable?
CodeWhisperer's security scanner catches common vulnerability patterns but shouldn't replace comprehensive security testing. It's useful as an early warning system during development but should be complemented with thorough security reviews and penetration testing for production applications.
Which tool is better for regulated industries?
Both have strong compliance credentials. CodeWhisperer benefits from AWS's extensive compliance certifications if you're already using AWS. Copilot Enterprise leverages GitHub and Microsoft's compliance frameworks. Evaluate based on your existing cloud provider relationships and compliance documentation needs.
Can I use both tools together?
Yes, though it may be confusing to have multiple AI assistants providing suggestions. Some teams use CodeWhisperer for AWS-specific work and Copilot for general development. Be aware that using both means your code context is sent to both Amazon and Microsoft infrastructure.
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