diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index 677adaeb0d..c6e636a218 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -21,19 +21,31 @@ github:
     - consensus
     - java
   enabled_merge_buttons:
-    squash:  true
+    squash: true
     squash_commit_message: PR_TITLE
-    merge:   false
-    rebase:  false
+    merge: false
+    rebase: false
   autolink_jira:
     - HDDS
     - RATIS
 
+  rulesets:
+    - name: "Default Branch Protection"
+      type: branch
+      branches:
+        includes:
+          - "~DEFAULT_BRANCH"
+          - "release-*"
+        excludes: []
+      bypass_teams:
+        - root
+      restrict_deletion: true
+      restrict_force_push: true
 notifications:
-  commits:      commits@ratis.apache.org
-  issues:       issues@ratis.apache.org
+  commits: commits@ratis.apache.org
+  issues: issues@ratis.apache.org
   pullrequests: issues@ratis.apache.org
   jira_options: link label worklog
 
 publish:
-  whoami:  asf-site
+  whoami: asf-site