How do I learn Container Security?

Table of Contents:

1. Why should I learn container security?
2. Free Vs. Paid Resources and Course
3. List of certifications to pursue
4. Container security best practices for beginners
5. Container security training for enterprise development teams: Beginners guide to container security

‍

Over the past few years, container use has increased exponentially. Although container technologies have been around for a while, it was only until the introduction of Docker in 2013 that adopting a container-first development and operations paradigm became more feasible for businesses. 

The 2020 CNFC Survey reports that more than 92 percent of businesses use containers in their manufacturing process. It marks a 300 percent increase since 2016. As a result, container technologies like Kubernetes, OpenShift, and others are used everywhere.

‍

As security threats within organizations escalate, it is becoming crucial for businesses to evaluate their system's attack surface to pinpoint any potential points of vulnerability. Thus, a thorough security assessment must include container security. 

Container security utilizes a combination of security technologies and rules to safeguard containerized applications from potential risk. Risks in the environment can be managed by container security, including those in the infrastructure, CI/CD pipeline, container runtime, and lifecycle management applications that use containers. 

‍

The container security market is booming thanks to the rise in microservices and IoT implementation globally. The worldwide demand for container security is expected to reach 3.6 billion USD by 2026 at a CAGR of 22%.

Industry pundits believe there will be an increased demand for container security specialists as the market expands rapidly. The supply of qualified security analysts will be lower than the demand- hence it can prove to be a good career prospect with a thick salary slip. 

‍

Do you need any further encouragement to learn container security? Read on to find out more!

‍

Why should I learn container security?

While containers provide some built-in security benefits, such as improved application isolation, they also widen the danger landscape for a company. Containers are a more tempting target for malicious actors and increase system demands due to the huge increase in container utilization in production systems. 

A weak or compromised container could end up serving as a point of entry into the larger environment of an organization.

‍

As additional entry points open up to attackers, potential threats keep growing. The malware contained in container images is one of the most frequent risks to container security. Docker discovered five malicious container images in August 2021 that contained code that silently mined cryptocurrency on the computers of 120,000 users. 

Conventional network security measures do not cover lateral assaults. To lower the security threats to your company, it's essential to learn container security procedures. In today's digital landscape, security threats have become omnipresent, and companies are looking for experienced professionals. They are ready to pay high salaries to qualified and experienced professionals. If you want to get ahead in your career- becoming a certified Container or Kubernetes security professional can be lucrative.

‍

Free Vs. Paid resources and courses

If you want to learn the basics of container security, Docker courses are ideal for beginners. Docker is a container platform, created in 2013. Developers can quickly create, test, and deploy apps using this software framework. 

‍

When to choose free resources?

Free Docker classes benefit anyone who wants to become knowledgeable about this platform. Several websites offer these. Besides, you will find many books covering the basics of container security and the Docker platform. These resources are ideal for when you want to build a base in the field. You can check out these free courses which give you learning but don't come with certification. 

1. Docker Certified Associate (DCA) Certification Training Course 

2. Introduction to Containers w/ Docker, Kubernetes & OpenShift

‍

When to choose paid resources?

While free resources are easily accessible and economical, they do not always come with a certification. If you want to advance your career and secure high-salaried jobs in container security, you should enroll in a paid course with certification. These courses will help you secure high-level jobs and allow you to be an expert in the field. Here is the best recommendation for a paid course. 

 AppSecEnginner Container Security Training Program

‍

AppSecEngineer provides one of the most comprehensive container security courses. If you are a beginner or a professional looking to learn container security, this is the perfect resource! These container security training programs were created with two goals in mind. First, the basics of container security, such as DevSecOps and CI/CD. And second, to serve as resources that are still helpful as reference materials after you have finished the courses and have begun working on containerized applications in the real world. Using the most cutting-edge strategies employed by both sides, you will explore the nature of container design, the many orchestration platforms, and container security in this Learning Path.

‍

Fees: Paid

Grade: All Grades

Timeframe: Flexible

Offered by: AppSecEngineer

Eligibility: For beginners

‍

These courses are suitable for those:

• Anyone with a curiosity about containers and Docker
• Engineers working in DevOps deploying containerized software.
• Developers creating containerized apps
• Engineers interested in application security.

‍

Courses at AppSecEngineer start at $399 per year or $69 per month. Check here to know more.

‍

List of certifications to pursue

In addition to learning about ancillary DevOps principles, DevOps certifications can include various certifications that will enhance your Docker expertise. These certificates often involve coursework that is completed online, followed by an exam. Tests can be taken online or in person at testing facilities, as is the case with most certifications.

‍

1. Docker Certified Associate

For power users who wish to learn more about Docker and prove their expertise through certification, Docker only offers one major certification, the Docker Certified Associate.

‍

2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Application Developer

The development engine Kubernetes integrates with Docker to produce a simplified, totally cloud-based environment that is distinctive. From a certification perspective, learning about Kubernetes can also teach you about Docker and assist you in landing more substantial jobs.

‍

3. Certified Kubernetes Security (CKS) Specialist

The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) program verifies that a CKS possesses the skills, knowledge, and competence to secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during creation, deployment, and runtime. Certification in CKA is a prerequisite to sit for this examination.

‍

Container security best practices for beginners

Although containers provide numerous benefits, they also present some security issues that can be difficult to resolve. Let's look at three container security best practices:

‍

1. Securing Images

Containers are made using container images. Vulnerabilities in container images can be introduced into containers used in production via misconfiguration or malicious activities. You must secure container images to ensure that your workloads and apps running in containers are healthy. You can include your application in a container image, using trustworthy images, or by including as little as possible.

‍

2. Using small containers to decrease the attack surface

Containers are made to be light and transient. Each container should include as few components as possible, and all containers should be as thin as possible. The attack surface can be decreased using this strategy. Additionally, you should deploy a fresh, new container as soon as a vulnerability in standard images is discovered and then promptly fix the problem.

‍

3. Using container security tools

Platforms for container orchestration, such as Kubernetes, offer built-in security features. These measures, however, are insufficient to guarantee the safety and soundness of containerized applications.

Rogue processes may be able to get through isolation and access other containers and container images, making them a potential threat to containers.

Utilizing container security technologies to manage access, test security, and safeguard your infrastructure can help you reduce security threats. It will help you find zero-day vulnerabilities, simulate attacks from common threat sources, and establish security rules with feature testing.

‍

Container security training for enterprise development teams

The way applications are created, tested, and deployed is changing due to the new and improved container technologies. Given their operational flexibility and computational density, containers have seen a spike in popularity during the past few years. 

‍

Most companies are these days using containers in some manner. With more adoption, the probability of a security breach happening increases manifold. One of the biggest breaches happened in 2019. Docker revealed a data breach affecting 190,000 users in their popular container platform's online repository. The number of victims of the assault represents around 5% of Docker's user base. However, because many Docker users work for businesses that frequently have access to production pipelines and container environments, the scope and impact of the hack may be greater than the figures show, as authentication controls may be circumvented using the stolen information.

‍

As container technology becomes increasingly popular, particularly among organizations that follow the DevOps methodology of focusing on rapid development and deployment, security remains an issue and a goal.

Because containers are immutable, legacy patching procedures are no longer valid. They are transient, making an incident response and forensics challenging. Visibility is a problem that necessitates a new approach to danger identification. With microservices, the number of services to manage grows.

Thus, today it is extremely vital that security teams are taught how to identify and mitigate container security breaches just like in any other Application Security model.

‍

If you are looking to learn container security and become a certified professional in Docker and container security, check out AppSecEngineer's online resources! 

‍