[VIRTUAL] Matteo Emili - SDLC Security in 2025 and Marcel Lupo - VS Code GHCP

This will be a virtual event on Zoom only, with Matteo and Marcel presenting remotely!

Are we still talking about security in your development lifecycle in 2025
- Matteo Emili

Secret scanning? Check. Dependency Management? Check. Static Code Analysis? Check. You manage your secure software development platform, right?

Defensive programming, risk profiles, supply chain management, bill of materials - these (and many more) are topics we must talk about in 2025 when it comes to our engineering practices. A staggering amount of projects still lack these and are vulnerable to security threats even with all the best intentions.

Any organisation is highly likely that you either have a mash-up of tools making up your development platform, or you are shortly going to look at one, because you know how important it is. It is however quite tricky to get right and there are a number of pitfalls in successfully setting up one, given the lack of standard offerings.

Microsoft has a surprisingly clear offer for these needs: GitHub Advanced Security and Defender for DevOps. Let's see how to put them in practice and ensure a safe development experience.

Supercharge VS Code GitHub Copilot using Instructions and Prompt Files - Marcel Lupo:

Unlock GitHub Copilot's true potential! This session dives into customising Copilot in VS Code using repository-level instructions and prompt files.

Go beyond generic suggestions and tailor your AI pair programmer to your team and projects unique coding standards, architecture, tooling, targeted knowledge and workflow.

Learn practical steps to boost code consistency, reduce boilerplate, and significantly enhance developer productivity by using instruction files and prompt files.

Perfect for any team looking to get more out of their AI-assisted development. We'll cover setup, best practices, and a live demo showing the power of a truly intelligent Copilot within VS Code.

What you will learn:

- How to configure repository-level GitHub Copilot instructions.
- The power of prompt files for specific coding scenarios.
- Strategies for enforcing team coding standards with AI.
- Practical tips to boost consistency and reduce boilerplate.
- Real-world benefits of a finely-tuned AI pair programmer.

Our Speakers:

Matteo Emili:

Matteo Emili is a Director of Software Engineering at Avanade UK and Ireland, leading the talent in Software Engineering and always looking at new ways of applying technology to solve business problems.

He is a passionate Agile advocate and a technologist at heart, a Cloud Architect who is always driven by using technology as a vehicle for change and continuous improvement.

A Microsoft MVP since 2010 (currently in the Azure DevOps and GitHub category), he enjoys sharing back as much as he can with the worldwide technical communities – especially about Agile and DevOps.

He founded several User Groups around Europe and he is a regular speaker at meetups and conferences.

You can find Matteo at;

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteoemili/
Sessionize: https://sessionize.com/matteoemili/

Marcel Lupo:

As a dual category Microsoft MVP in both DevTech and Azure with multiple accolades, his mission is to mentor and contribute to technical communities, ensuring that his dedication to DevOps and AI services not only enhances project outcomes but also empower the broader developer ecosystem and community.

His is a critical thinker with a strong advocacy for technology, continuously pursuing excellence and innovation, particularly in cloud technologies and automation. As a Cloud Solutions and DevOps Architect, he focuses on delivering scalable, efficient, and cutting-edge solutions and to solve complex technical problems.

Alongside his technical pursuits, he is deeply committed to promoting the responsible and ethical use of technology and AI, emphasising fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. His goal is to foster a balance between innovation and accountability, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society as a whole.

Also an Organiser of the London Microsoft DevOps Meetup/ DevOps, Data Science & GenAI Meetup User Group normally hosted at the Microsoft Reactor in London.

You can find Marcel at;

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-l-61b0a96b/
Sessionize: https://sessionize.com/pwd9000/

How to find us:

We'll be live on Zoom from 6.30PM.

Swag:

We'll be giving away a JetBrains license to one lucky attendee!

Food:

We'll have some wonderful food courtesy of Rebel Recruiters!