An automated security gate is a security control mechanism integrated into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines that automatically enforces predetermined security policies and standards. It scrutinizes artifacts such as source code, configurations, container images, and third-party dependencies against defined criteria including vulnerability thresholds, compliance requirements, and coding best practices. When assessments fail to meet established standards, the gate halts the pipeline and flags issues for immediate remediation.

This mechanism is fundamental to modern DevSecOps practices, enabling a "shift-left" approach where security is embedded early in the software development lifecycle. By automating security assessments at critical checkpoints, organizations significantly reduce human error, accelerate risk identification, and ensure only validated, secure code progresses to production environments. This proactive approach strengthens overall cybersecurity posture while maintaining the speed required for continuous software delivery.