Container Security

Container security addresses the unique risks introduced by containerized application deployments. Containers package application code and dependencies into lightweight, portable units that run on shared host kernels, creating a different security model than traditional virtual machines. Securing containers requires attention at every stage of the software development lifecycle, from building images to running workloads in production.

Image security is the first line of defense. Organizations should use minimal base images, scan images for known vulnerabilities before deployment, and sign images to ensure integrity. Container registries should enforce access controls and automatically reject images that fail policy checks. At runtime, containers should run with the least privileges possible, using read-only file systems, non-root users, and restricted Linux capabilities.

Network segmentation between containers limits lateral movement if a container is compromised. Security teams should also monitor container behavior for anomalies such as unexpected process execution, file system modifications, or network connections. Tools like Falco, Aqua Security, and Sysdig provide runtime visibility and threat detection for containerized workloads. Integrating container security into CI/CD pipelines ensures that vulnerabilities are caught early, before they reach production environments.