Introduction
Container security requires three layers of defense: image vulnerability scanning before deployment, runtime threat detection during execution, and compliance monitoring for security benchmarks like CIS Kubernetes.
This roundup examines 5 tools addressing different aspects of container security, from kernel-level syscall monitoring to automated vulnerability remediation.
Falco provides runtime security through eBPF-based monitoring, Clair scans images for CVEs, Docker Bench validates CIS compliance, while commercial tools like Sysdig and Aqua Security combine multiple capabilities.
The selection depends on your Kubernetes distribution, team size, and whether you need open-source flexibility or commercial support. Each tool integrates differently with CI/CD pipelines, SIEM platforms, and cloud-native environments.
1. Falco
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- eBPF-based kernel monitoring with minimal performance overhead (1-3% CPU)
- Pre-built rule library detecting shell execution, privilege escalation, file access anomalies
- Kubernetes-native with Helm chart deployment and automatic pod monitoring
- Integration with SIEM platforms (Splunk, Elasticsearch), Slack, PagerDuty
- Plugin architecture supporting AWS CloudTrail, Okta, GitHub audit logs
1. Falco
CNCF graduated open-source runtime security tool that monitors Linux kernel events and syscalls to detect anomalous container behavior. Deploys as a DaemonSet in Kubernetes with pre-built rules for common attack patterns.
Key Highlights
- eBPF-based kernel monitoring with minimal performance overhead (1-3% CPU)
- Pre-built rule library detecting shell execution, privilege escalation, file access anomalies
- Kubernetes-native with Helm chart deployment and automatic pod monitoring
- Integration with SIEM platforms (Splunk, Elasticsearch), Slack, PagerDuty
- Plugin architecture supporting AWS CloudTrail, Okta, GitHub audit logs
2. Docker Bench for Security
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Automated validation of 200+ CIS Benchmark controls
- Checks Docker daemon configuration, image security, container runtime settings
- Kubernetes-specific tests for kubelet security, API server hardening, etcd protection
- JSON output for integration with CI/CD pipelines and compliance reporting
- No agent installation required - runs as a container
2. Docker Bench for Security
Open-source script that validates Docker and Kubernetes deployments against CIS Docker Benchmark and CIS Kubernetes Benchmark security standards. Runs automated checks for host configuration, Docker daemon settings, and container runtime security.
Key Highlights
- Automated validation of 200+ CIS Benchmark controls
- Checks Docker daemon configuration, image security, container runtime settings
- Kubernetes-specific tests for kubelet security, API server hardening, etcd protection
- JSON output for integration with CI/CD pipelines and compliance reporting
- No agent installation required - runs as a container
3. Clair
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Layer-by-layer container image scanning with package indexing
- Database-driven CVE matching against NVD, RHSA, Debian, Ubuntu, Alpine advisories
- REST API for CI/CD integration and automated scanning workflows
- Supports Docker, OCI, and container registry integration (Harbor, Quay, ACR)
- PostgreSQL backend for scalable vulnerability database management
3. Clair
Open-source static analysis tool for container image vulnerability scanning. Indexes container layers, extracts installed packages, then matches against CVE databases (NVD, Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu, Alpine) to identify vulnerable dependencies.
Key Highlights
- Layer-by-layer container image scanning with package indexing
- Database-driven CVE matching against NVD, RHSA, Debian, Ubuntu, Alpine advisories
- REST API for CI/CD integration and automated scanning workflows
- Supports Docker, OCI, and container registry integration (Harbor, Quay, ACR)
- PostgreSQL backend for scalable vulnerability database management
4. Sysdig
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Runtime threat detection using Falco with 300+ managed threat detection rules
- Image vulnerability scanning with exploit prioritization and risk scoring
- Kubernetes compliance monitoring for CIS, PCI-DSS, NIST, SOC 2
- Cloud security posture management (CSPM) for AWS, GCP, Azure misconfigurations
- Incident investigation with container forensics and timeline reconstruction
4. Sysdig
Commercial container security platform built on Falco for runtime threat detection, image scanning, compliance monitoring, and cloud security posture management. Provides unified visibility across containers, Kubernetes, and cloud services.
Key Highlights
- Runtime threat detection using Falco with 300+ managed threat detection rules
- Image vulnerability scanning with exploit prioritization and risk scoring
- Kubernetes compliance monitoring for CIS, PCI-DSS, NIST, SOC 2
- Cloud security posture management (CSPM) for AWS, GCP, Azure misconfigurations
- Incident investigation with container forensics and timeline reconstruction
5. Aqua Security
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Full lifecycle security from CI/CD image scanning to runtime workload protection
- Kubernetes admission controller with policy enforcement and image assurance
- Runtime protection using Linux capabilities, seccomp, AppArmor profiles
- Secrets scanning and management with Vault integration
- Serverless and VM workload support beyond containers
5. Aqua Security
Enterprise container security platform providing image scanning, admission control, runtime protection, and secrets management across the entire container lifecycle from build to production.
Key Highlights
- Full lifecycle security from CI/CD image scanning to runtime workload protection
- Kubernetes admission controller with policy enforcement and image assurance
- Runtime protection using Linux capabilities, seccomp, AppArmor profiles
- Secrets scanning and management with Vault integration
- Serverless and VM workload support beyond containers
Conclusion
Container security tool selection depends on your deployment environment and security maturity.
Falco offers the most comprehensive runtime detection using eBPF to monitor kernel syscalls, making it essential for production Kubernetes clusters where runtime threats are a concern.
Docker Bench for Security provides the fastest path to CIS compliance validation, ideal for teams starting container security or preparing for audits.
Clair delivers focused image vulnerability scanning with database-driven CVE matching, best suited for CI/CD pipelines requiring lightweight scanning.
For organizations needing integrated solutions, Sysdig (built on Falco) combines runtime detection with vulnerability management and compliance reporting in a single platform.
Aqua Security provides the most complete coverage from build to runtime with image scanning, admission control, and runtime protection.
Open-source teams should start with Falco for runtime monitoring and Clair for vulnerability scanning, while enterprises with compliance requirements should evaluate Sysdig or Aqua Security for their integrated capabilities and commercial support.