Container Security

‘Container’ has become the buzzword in the application world. A container refers to an application virtualization technology that helps in application development, packaging, marketing, and promotion. Container technology helps you automatically package and run different apps in a portable and reusable manner.

The term container is used because, in the shipping industry, containers serve as an area to store distinct objects and goods in the same location while also keeping them separated from each other. Application virtualization keeps all the applications stored in a container isolated from each other. Technically, this means that a number of applications can share the same operating system (OS) kernel instance while being isolated from each other. Thus, containers are an important means of application security.

However, as application technology has gained widespread popularity this past decade, malicious workers have targeted software applications that are otherwise meant to ease our lives. It is, thus, important that targeted steps be taken to safeguard the integrity of any container.

Integrate container security with your organization’s information security policies

Container security requires that both the container infrastructure as well as the application contained in it remain secure.Most organizations already have application security linked to their information security policies through policies relating to third-vendor parties and compliance.Along the same lines, it is also important that container security is integrated with the information security policies of your organization.

Use only trusted sources

The layers of files that form a container, known as container images, can affect container security. The base layer is known as the base image. This is vital for container security as all other images are derived and developed from this base layer. You must ensure that the containers you are using to develop your applications are created from container images that are shared or downloaded from sources you can trust.

Increase the visibility of container hosts

Whether your container hosts are located at the site of your business operations or in a cloud, you must have complete visibility in order to secure your containers and their hosts. Moreover, all container images, including the base layer, must be made visible for easy threat identification.

Update container layers and the host operating system regularly

Secure access to container images

As you build containers or container images, it is important to secure both the images you download and the images you create during the container development process. Think of robust ways to control and manage access to all container images. One possibility is to use a private registry to manage access in an automated fashion.

Conclusion

Storing your applications in secure containers is considered a great way to ensure application security. However, simply equating container usage with security could not be more wrong. Conscious steps need to be taken to ensure container security. Follow our tips to make your containers secure.