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Module 4: Container Security 📦

Secure containerized applications and Kubernetes environments.

Learning Objectives

  • • Understand container security fundamentals
  • • Master Docker security best practices
  • • Configure Kubernetes security controls
  • • Implement container scanning and monitoring

Container Security Fundamentals

Container security requires understanding the unique challenges and threats in containerized environments.

Container Threats

  • Container Escape: Breaking out of container isolation
  • Privilege Escalation: Gaining elevated permissions
  • Image Vulnerabilities: Exploiting base image flaws
  • Runtime Attacks: Exploiting running containers
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Compromised container images

Security Challenges

  • Shared Kernel: Container isolation limitations
  • Image Management: Keeping images updated
  • Runtime Security: Monitoring running containers
  • Network Security: Container-to-container communication
  • Data Persistence: Securing container data

Docker Security

Docker Security Best Practices

  • Use Official Images: Trusted base images
  • Run as Non-root: Avoid privileged containers
  • Minimize Attack Surface: Remove unnecessary packages
  • Scan Images: Vulnerability assessment
  • Use Multi-stage Builds: Reduce image size

Docker Security Features

  • Content Trust: Image signing and verification
  • Secrets Management: Secure credential storage
  • Network Security: Container network isolation
  • Resource Limits: CPU and memory constraints
  • Security Profiles: AppArmor and SELinux

Kubernetes Security

Kubernetes provides comprehensive security controls for container orchestration.

RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)

  • Roles: Define permissions for resources
  • ClusterRoles: Cluster-wide permissions
  • RoleBindings: Assign roles to users/groups
  • ServiceAccounts: Pod identity and permissions
  • Namespace Isolation: Resource isolation

Network Security

  • Network Policies: Control pod communication
  • Pod Security Standards: Enforce security policies
  • Admission Controllers: Validate requests
  • Security Contexts: Pod-level security settings
  • Pod Disruption Budgets: Availability protection

Container Image Security

Image Scanning

  • Vulnerability Scanning: CVE detection in images
  • License Compliance: Open source license checking
  • Malware Detection: Malicious code identification
  • Secrets Detection: Credential scanning
  • Policy Enforcement: Custom security rules

Image Security Tools

  • Trivy: Comprehensive vulnerability scanner
  • Clair: Static analysis of container images
  • Anchore: Policy-based image scanning
  • Snyk: Developer-friendly security scanning
  • Grype: Fast vulnerability scanning

Runtime Security Monitoring

Runtime Protection

  • Falco: Runtime security monitoring
  • Aqua Security: Runtime threat detection
  • Sysdig: Container monitoring and security
  • Prisma Cloud: Cloud-native security platform
  • NeuVector: Container firewall and security

Monitoring Capabilities

  • Behavioral Analysis: Anomaly detection
  • Network Monitoring: Container communication
  • File System Monitoring: File access tracking
  • Process Monitoring: Container process tracking
  • Alert Management: Security incident response

Secrets Management

Proper secrets management is critical for securing sensitive information in containerized environments.

Kubernetes Secrets

  • Built-in Secrets: Kubernetes native secrets
  • External Secrets Operator: External secret integration
  • Sealed Secrets: Encrypted secrets for GitOps
  • Vault Integration: HashiCorp Vault integration
  • Secret Rotation: Automatic secret updates

Best Practices

  • Encryption at Rest: Encrypt stored secrets
  • Access Control: Limit secret access
  • Audit Logging: Track secret access
  • Secret Rotation: Regular secret updates
  • Least Privilege: Minimal secret permissions

Interactive Container Security Exercise

Configure container security controls and monitoring. Select the appropriate Docker security components, Kubernetes security components, and monitoring tools:

Scenario

Set up a secure containerized environment with proper security controls, scanning, and monitoring. Configure the appropriate components for comprehensive container security.

Docker Security Components

Non-root User
Run containers as non-root user
Multi-stage Builds
Reduce image size and attack surface
Content Trust
Image signing and verification
Secrets Management
Secure credential storage

Kubernetes Security Components

RBAC
Role-based access control
Network Policies
Control pod-to-pod communication
Pod Security Standards
Enforce security policies
Admission Controllers
Validate and modify requests

Monitoring Tools

Falco
Runtime security monitoring
Aqua Security
Container security platform
Sysdig
Container monitoring and security
NeuVector
Container firewall and security

Container Security Configuration

Click Docker security components, Kubernetes security components, and monitoring tools above to configure your container security

Configuration Explanation

Docker Security Components: Essential for securing container images and runtime.
Kubernetes Security Components: Critical for orchestrating secure container deployments.
Monitoring Tools: Provide runtime security monitoring and threat detection.
Best Practices: Follow the principle of least privilege and defense in depth.