GitLab, a leading enterprise DevSecOps platform, has just launched its latest significant update, GitLab 16.



This new release boasts an impressive range of features that cover security, compliance, AI/ML, and value stream analytics. These new capabilities enable users to release software more efficiently while upholding a high level of security.

GitLab 16's AI-based features include Code Suggestions, which assists in writing code both faster and more effectively. Additionally, it offers observability, proactive vulnerability detection, Security testing, Suggested Reviewers, Explain This Code, Explain This Vulnerability, and Value Stream Forecasting. More AI-focused features, such as Refactor This Code and Resolve This Vulnerability, will continue to improve the platform's AI capabilities.

Security is a crucial part of GitLab's offerings, and they offer enterprises end-to-end software supply chain security. By establishing policies, gaining visibility into the threat landscape, and ensuring adherence to compliance, organizations can accelerate the delivery of secure software. GitLab 16 comes with centralized policy administration, expanded compliance reports and controls, compliance dashboards, and SLSA Level 3 attestations by default.

According to David DeSanto, GitLab's Chief Product Officer, GitLab 16 is the industry's most comprehensive AI-powered enterprise DevSecOps platform. GitLab Dedicated, a single-tenant software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering, will soon be launched to fulfill the complex compliance and regulatory requirements of highly regulated industries.

Value Stream Management is one of the new features included in GitLab 16. This feature allows customers to manage and visualize end-to-end DevSecOps workflows through Value Stream Analytics. The Value Stream Dashboard displays metrics such as cycle durations, critical vulnerabilities, deployment frequency, and DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) metrics across the enterprise.

GitLab's integration of AI into their platform is in line with what developers want. According to their 7th Annual Global DevSecOps report, 65% of developers plan to employ AI and machine learning in their testing efforts within the next three years. The same report shows that DevSecOps platforms provide better security, automation and efficiency.

GitLab's innovative approach has already had a positive impact. Director of Platform Engineering at CARFAX, Mark Portofe, cited a 33% decrease in vulnerabilities in less than a year, plus a 20% increase in deployments year over year due to GitLab's DevSecOps platform.

According to Stephen O'Grady, Principal Analyst at RedMonk, AI-powered DevOps platforms have the potential to improve workflows while uplifting compliance and security standards.

GitLab 16 is an AI-powered enterprise DevSecOps platform that aims to enhance collaboration, automation, and security in software development. It combines essential tools and features for seamless development and deployment, making it easier for teams to build, test, and deliver high-quality software at scale.

One of the key highlights of GitLab 16 is its AI capabilities. It leverages machine learning algorithms to provide intelligent insights and automate various aspects of the software development lifecycle. This includes automated code review suggestions, predictive analytics, and performance optimization recommendations.

The platform also focuses on enhancing security with its built-in DevSecOps functionalities. It offers security scanning tools that analyze code vulnerabilities and help developers identify and resolve issues early in the development process. Additionally, GitLab 16 incorporates automated security testing, compliance tracking, and vulnerability management to ensure secure software delivery.

In terms of collaboration, GitLab 16 provides a centralized platform where teams can collaborate and work together efficiently. It offers features like issue tracking, project management, code reviews, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. These features enable teams to streamline their workflows and improve productivity, eliminating the need for multiple disparate tools.

Furthermore, GitLab 16 emphasizes automation by providing a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline with integrated testing and deployment capabilities. This allows teams to automate the build, test, and deployment processes, reducing manual effort and ensuring faster and more reliable software delivery.

Here are some additional details about GitLab 16:

1. AI-Powered Code Review: GitLab 16 utilizes AI algorithms to automatically review code and provide intelligent suggestions for improving code quality and maintainability. This helps developers catch potential issues early on and enhance overall code efficiency.

2. Predictive Analytics: The platform leverages predictive analytics to anticipate the impact of code changes, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize performance. By analyzing historical data and patterns, GitLab 16 helps teams make informed decisions and improve software delivery predictability.

3. Compliance Tracking: GitLab 16 includes features for tracking compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. It provides visibility into compliance status, automates compliance checks, and assists with generating necessary reports. This helps organizations ensure that their software development processes align with relevant regulations.

4. Vulnerability Management: GitLab 16 integrates vulnerability scanning tools that automatically detect and prioritize security vulnerabilities in code. It provides actionable insights and recommendations for remediation, empowering developers to address security issues efficiently and proactively.

5. Integrated Project Management: The platform includes project management features such as issue tracking, Kanban boards, and milestones. These tools enable teams to track progress, assign tasks, and collaborate seamlessly within the GitLab ecosystem.

6. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): GitLab 16 offers a robust CI/CD pipeline that automates the build, test, and deployment processes. It supports various workflows, including multi-stage pipelines, parallel execution, and environment-specific deployments. This helps teams achieve faster feedback loops and deliver software more frequently and reliably.

7. Extensibility and Integrations: GitLab 16 allows for easy integration with other development tools and third-party services. It offers an extensive API and supports integrations with popular services like Jira, Slack, and AWS. This flexibility enables organizations to streamline their tooling ecosystem and align with existing workflows.

8. Auto Remediation: GitLab 16 incorporates auto-remediation capabilities that automatically fix common code issues based on predefined rules and best practices. This helps optimize code quality, reduces manual effort, and ensures consistent coding standards across projects.

9. Container Registry: GitLab 16 includes a built-in container registry that enables teams to store and manage Docker containers within the GitLab platform. This allows for easier packaging, versioning, and distribution of application containers, facilitating seamless deployment across different environments.

10. Performance Monitoring: The platform integrates performance monitoring tools to analyze application performance in real-time. It provides insights into response times, resource consumption, and other critical metrics, helping teams identify and address performance bottlenecks quickly.

11. Enhanced DevOps Analytics: GitLab 16 offers enhanced analytics capabilities to gain deeper insights into the software development process. It provides metrics and visualizations to track team efficiency, identify bottlenecks, and measure key performance indicators. These analytics enable data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

12. Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) Integration: GitLab 16 integrates with AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service, allowing users to deploy, manage, and scale Kubernetes clusters directly from the GitLab interface. This simplifies the process of deploying applications to Kubernetes and facilitates seamless container orchestration.

13. Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Support: GitLab 16 supports multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, allowing teams to deploy their applications across different cloud platforms or on-premises infrastructure. This flexibility gives organizations the freedom to choose their preferred cloud providers and adapt to changing requirements.

14. Compliance Dashboard: GitLab 16 introduces a compliance dashboard that provides a centralized view of compliance status across projects. It helps organizations monitor and enforce compliance policies, track approvals, and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.

15. GitLab Geo: GitLab 16 introduces GitLab Geo, a feature that enables distributed teams to collaborate efficiently by providing faster access to Git repositories and reducing latency for global deployments. It helps improve performance and productivity for teams spread across different geographical locations.