As organizations modernize their infrastructure, containers offer unparalleled flexibility and scalability but they also introduce unique security challenges. In this blog we explain container security challenges, identify top threats and share how the newly released Tenable Enclave Security can keep your containers secure.
Containers are changing enterprise IT and are now essential in modern app development. In my two decades as a cybersecurity practitioner, I have seen technologies evolve from offering efficiency to becoming vulnerable points of attack due to neglected security measures. Containers are no different. They provide unmatched flexibility and scalability, yet they also introduce specific vulnerabilities that, when not remediated, can weaken an entire organization's security posture.
Containers have dramatically changed how organizations approach software development and deployment. Containers guarantee that software operates consistently in various environments by bundling an application and its dependencies into a single, transferable unit. This is a big change for development teams, enabling quick iteration and deployment. Yet, this flexibility introduces a complicated security environment that calls for a change in how organizations approach incorporating security into their development processes.
Containers, in contrast to traditional virtual machines, are lightweight, depend on the host operating system's kernel and frequently utilize shared images from both public and private registries. These interdependencies result in an environment in which a single weakness can lead to a series of consequences, highlighting the importance of container security as a vital necessity rather than just a recommended measure.
One base image can create thousands of attack points within an environment, so it is critically important to understand the base image vulnerabilities to reduce propagation to subsequent images.
Benjamin Franklin said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and this rings especially true in the context of containers. The security of a containerized environment hinges on decisions made at the very beginning of the container lifecycle — during the creation phase. Here’s why:
Understanding the potential consequences of container breaches is essential to appreciating the importance of proactive security measures. Here’s a deep dive into some of the most pressing threats and their implications:
Securing containers requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses every stage of the container lifecycle. Five key strategies are listed below. For a comprehensive checklist review, read the white paper Checklist: Securing containers from development to runtime.
We’re excited to announce Tenable Enclave Security, a new product designed to help highly secure environments expose and close IT and container vulnerabilities.
Tenable Enclave Security enables you to quickly know the risk in your IT assets and container images, expose their vulnerabilities and understand their breadth of impact and close exposures using priority scores to speed remediation efforts. Tenable Enclave Security protects containers by embedding security from the start, making it easy for DevOps teams to quickly detect and fix container vulnerabilities before they hit production, conducting thorough analysis into all images, layers and packages that need attention, reducing risk and ensuring the integrity of your containerized environments. Vulnerability priority scores help you focus your efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities to reduce vulnerability overload and maximize productivity.
Built specifically for highly secure environments, Tenable Enclave Security meets the needs of organizations with stringent cloud security and data residency requirements, such as those operating in classified or air-gapped environments, or federal agencies requiring FedRAMP High or Impact Level 5. Tenable Enclave Security helps government agencies meet key standards and guidelines for securing container environments such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-190 and Center for Internet Security (CIS) Docker Benchmarks and CIS Kubernetes Benchmark.
In the ever-changing realm of cybersecurity, containers bring about potential advantages as well as obstacles. Although containers foster flexibility and creativity, they also require a proactive and thorough security strategy. By integrating security at the beginning, carrying out comprehensive layer examination, and following established government guidelines, organizations can greatly lower their risk and protect the authenticity of their containerized setups.
Based on my experience, I have seen the outcomes of ignoring security measures. The organizations that prioritize security throughout the container lifecycle are the ones that will succeed in their efforts to embrace and use container technologies. As we progress in this world of containerization, let's stay alert, knowledgeable and steadfast in our dedication to securing the future of our systems.
Zach Bennefield is the Federal Security Strategist at Tenable and a Professor at UMGC teaching graduate level Cybersecurity courses. With 20 years of experience in information security, Zach has developed a strong expertise in risk detection, prioritization, and remediation. Zach’s background as a Security Engineer and Security Analyst for the United States Navy has been instrumental in the creation of new technologies and initiatives at Tenable focused on supporting the unique cybersecurity challenges in the Department of Defense (DoD).
Zach is a frequent speaker on Cybersecurity topics, has authored numerous articles on compliance within the Department of Defense, and is frequently sought after for advice on securing critical infrastructure. Zach is a creative thinker and innovative technology leader who takes a great deal of pride in the security industry. He works to ensure that mission-critical goals are met through rigorous requirements analysis and a bottom-up mentality that elevates ideas from the field while giving back best practices to advance organizations' security programs.
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