GitLab 16.8 launches with Google Cloud Secret Manager and Maven dependency proxy

GitLab, the well-known GitHub competitor, has recently launched its 16.8 version. This update introduces Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Secret Manager support and a Maven dependency proxy to accelerate your builds.

The new integration with GCP Secret Manager simplifies its use in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) jobs. Secrets stored in the GCP Secret Manager can now be easily fetched and utilized, streamlining build and deployment processes.

The latest version also sees the general availability of Workspaces, aimed at enhancing developer efficiency. Furthermore, GitLab 16.8 provides an option to enforce the use of two-factor authentication (2FA) for administrators on their self-managed instances.

The Maven dependency proxy in GitLab 16.8 is designed to expedite builds. Additionally, the Issue Analytics report now includes data on the number of issues closed within a month, aiding in comprehensive velocity analysis.

A new feature in the form of the DORA Performers score panel has been added to the Value Streams Dashboard. This panel provides a visual representation of an organization's DevOps performance across various projects.

In addition to these significant updates, GitLab 16.8 also incorporates numerous other enhancements, changes, and bug fixes.