Architectural verification active. This briefing is engineered for OCI-compliance and software supply chain integrity.
Container Security
Securing the containerized estate requires shift-left logic. We analyze the tools and patterns required to maintain Image Integrity from the local registry to the production cluster.
Level 100: Static Analysis
- • Vulnerability Scanning: Identifying CVEs in base images and application dependencies.
- • Image Linting: Enforcing Dockerfile best practices to reduce attack surface.
- • Secrets Detection: Preventing sensitive data from leaking into image layers.
Architect’s Verdict: Security starts with the “distroless” mindset—remove what you don’t need.
Analyze Build SecurityLevel 200: Image Signing & Trust
- • Cosign/Notary: Digitally signing OCI artifacts to ensure origin and integrity.
- • Attestations: Attaching SBOMs (Software Bill of Materials) to signed images.
Architect’s Verdict: Unsigned images are a production liability; verify before you pull.
Analyze Image TrustLevel 300: Runtime & Admission
- • Admission Controllers: Using OPA/Gatekeeper to block unsigned or non-compliant images.
- • Runtime Auditing: Monitoring syscalls and anomalous process behavior via Falco.
- • Network Policies: Enforcing pod-level zero-trust segmentation.
Architect’s Verdict: Admission control is the last line of defense in the container fabric.
Advanced Runtime LabValidation Tool: Image Integrity Audit
Compliance Scanner ActiveA single vulnerable layer can compromise an entire cluster. Use this tool to scan your Private Registry for high-severity CVEs and missing cryptographic signatures.
Runtime Security: Falco vs. Gatekeeper
| Metric | OPA/Gatekeeper | Falco |
|---|---|---|
| Logic Level | Admission Control (Pre-Run) | System Call (During Run) |
| Enforcement | Prevention (Block Pod) | Detection (Alert / Kill) |
| Primary Use | Policy Enforcement | Intrusion Detection |
Architect’s Verdict: Admission control is proactive security; runtime auditing is reactive resilience. You must implement both to survive a cluster-wide breach.
Level 300: Zero-Trust Fabrics
- eBPF Runtime Security: Leveraging Kernel-level observability to detect anomalous file access and network sockets in real-time.
- mTLS Automation: Enforcing pod-to-pod identity through short-lived certificates issued by a service mesh or SPIRE.
- Confidential Computing: Utilizing hardware-encrypted enclaves (TEE) to protect sensitive data while in use by the container.
Architect’s Verdict: In a sovereign cloud, the network is hostile. Zero-trust is not a feature; it is the fundamental state of the infrastructure.
Advanced Security Lab