Why adopt GitHub Actions for CI/CD
GitHub Actions has become one of the most popular CI/CD platforms in the world. Natively integrated into GitHub, it allows you to automate the entire software lifecycle directly from your repository: build, testing, code analysis, deployment and monitoring. For companies in Switzerland, adopting GitHub Actions means reducing dependency on external tools, simplifying the DevOps toolchain and accelerating the pace of releases.
At ITTA in Geneva and Lausanne, the GitHub Actions training (GH-200) is delivered in one day by an instructor specialized in CI/CD and DevOps practices. You will work on concrete scenarios that reproduce real enterprise development environments.
GitHub Actions workflow architecture
A GitHub Actions workflow is defined in a YAML file stored in the repository. The GH-200 training teaches you to structure workflows with events (push, pull_request, schedule, workflow_dispatch), jobs and steps. You will learn to orchestrate parallel and sequential jobs, use matrices to test multiple configurations simultaneously and optimize execution times with caching and conditional steps.
The training also covers reusable workflows and composite actions that allow you to standardize CI/CD practices across the organization. You will discover how to create shared workflow templates and maintain a consistent automation strategy.
Marketplace actions and custom actions
The GitHub Actions marketplace offers thousands of ready-to-use actions. The training teaches you to evaluate, select and integrate marketplace actions into your workflows. You will also learn to create custom actions in JavaScript or Docker to meet your specific needs and share them within your organization.
Action versioning, update management and dependency security are covered to ensure the reliability of your pipelines in production.
Security and secrets management
Security is a critical aspect of CI/CD automation. The GH-200 training covers secrets management (tokens, API keys, credentials), environment variables, permission configuration for workflows and protection of production environments. You will learn to use OpenID Connect (OIDC) to authenticate with cloud providers without storing long-lived credentials.
The training also addresses common risks: script injection, malicious actions, excessive permissions and supply chain attacks. You will know how to secure your pipelines while maintaining development fluidity.
Continuous deployment and cloud environments
The final part of the training focuses on continuous deployment. You will configure deployments to Azure, AWS or other cloud providers with GitHub Actions. Environment management (development, staging, production), approval rules, deployment protection and rollback strategies are covered to give you a complete production-ready framework.
You will also learn to configure deployment notifications, monitor workflow execution and set up alerts for failures. These skills are essential for maintaining reliable CI/CD pipelines in a professional environment.
FAQ
Do I need to know YAML to take the GH-200 training?
A basic knowledge of YAML syntax is helpful but not mandatory. The training covers YAML syntax in the context of GitHub Actions workflows.
What certification do you get with this training?
The GH-200 training prepares you for a Microsoft Applied Skill that validates your practical skills in CI/CD automation with GitHub Actions.
Is the training available as a virtual class?
Yes. You can attend the training in person in Geneva or Lausanne, or as a virtual class with the same instructor and the same hands-on exercises.
What is the difference between GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps Pipelines?
GitHub Actions is natively integrated into GitHub and uses YAML files in the repository. Azure DevOps Pipelines is a separate service from the Azure DevOps suite. Both tools enable CI/CD, but GitHub Actions benefits from tighter integration with the GitHub ecosystem and a very rich marketplace of actions.
Does the training cover self-hosted runners?
Yes. You will learn to configure and manage self-hosted runners to execute your workflows on your own infrastructure, which is necessary for environments with specific network or security constraints.
Can I take GH-200 without having completed GH-100?
Yes. GH-200 focuses on GitHub Actions and has no prerequisite related to GH-100. A basic knowledge of GitHub and Git is sufficient to take this training.