diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index afc9a60a..59b5b1f0 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -28,6 +28,18 @@ github:
     - kubernetes
     - helm
   enabled_merge_buttons:
-    squash:  true
-    merge:   false
-    rebase:  false
+    squash: true
+    merge: false
+    rebase: false
+  rulesets:
+    - name: "Default Branch Protection"
+      type: branch
+      branches:
+        includes:
+          - "~DEFAULT_BRANCH"
+          - "release/*"
+        excludes: []
+      bypass_teams:
+        - root
+      restrict_deletion: true
+      restrict_force_push: true