Several strategies exist to apply the principles of zero-trust security to development environments based on Docker Desktop to protect against the risks of security breaches, Docker senior technical leader Jay Schmidt explains.
The zero-trust security model has gained traction in the last few years as an effective strategy to protect sensitive data, lower the risk of security breaches, get visibility into network traffic, and more. It can be applied to traditional systems as well as to container-based architectures, which are affected by image vulnerabilities, cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and other security risks.
The fundamental idea behind the zero-trust model is that both external and internal actors should be treated in the same way. This means going beyond the traditional “perimeter-based” approach to security where users or machines within the internal perimeter of a company can be automatically trusted. In the zero-trust model, instead, privileges are granted exclusively based on identities and roles, with the basic policy being not trusting anyone.
In his article, Schmidt analyzes how the core principles of the zero-trust model, including microsegmentation, least-privilege access, device access controls, and continuous verification can be applied to a Docker Desktop-based development environment.
Microsegmentation is designed to establish various secure zones within a network such as testing, training, and production domains, ensuring that if one segment is attacked, others remain unaffected and operational.
Docker Desktop facilitates the creation of finely-tuned network configurations. As Schmidt indicates, one can utilize the bridge network for establishing segregated networks or employ the Macvlan network driver which treats containers like separate physical units. An additional method to tailor network access includes the use of air-gapped containers.
Adopting the least-privilege access principle, enhanced container isolation (ECI) aids in ensuring that users possess only the essential privileges necessary for tasks, enhancing security.
Proper implementation of least-privilege access in container technology involves the use of AppArmor/SELinux, implementing seccomp profiles, ensuring containers operate without root access, and adhering to restrictions on acquiring additional privileges.
ECI enforces a variety of security measures such as executing all containers with non-privileged rights, remapping user namespaces, limiting file system access, blocking critical system calls, and segregating containers from the Docker Engine’s API.
Security features in Docker Desktop also include authentication and authorization through role-based access control (RBAC). This is further enhanced by features like Single Sign On for group management and role enforcement, along with Registry Access Management (RAM) and Image Access Management (IAM) which are critical in preventing supply chain threats.
Logging and the utilization of a software bill of materials (SBOM) through Docker Scout are part of the Docker Desktop’s security framework. SBOMs are instrumental in ongoing security assessments against CVEs and compliance with security guidelines, such as enforcing solutions for critical CVE notices, verifying root images, etc.
Enhancing Docker security can also be achieved by ensuring container immutability, meaning containers remain unchanged and uncompromised. Docker supports this through options like the --read-only flag or the read_only: true configuration in the Docker Compose file.
This is a summary of the tools and features that Docker Desktop offers to support the zero-trust approach. For an in-depth understanding, make sure to read the full article.
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