Artifact governance is the set of rules and controls that decide where generated files are stored, who can view them, and how long they remain available. An artifact can be a screenshot, log file, report, video capture, export, or other byproduct of a tool or workflow. In security programs, artifact governance helps prevent sensitive data from moving into places that were never meant to hold it.
This matters because many leaks happen after the file is created, not while it is being generated. In AI-assisted workflows, an agent may capture a screen, bundle evidence, or upload a file to a repository. If that destination is public or poorly restricted, internal data can become exposed even when the source system is secure. Defenders use private storage, access controls, retention limits, review steps, and classification policies to keep artifacts aligned with their sensitivity. It also complements secret scanning, which may not detect secrets visible inside images or recordings.