StackRox (by Red Hat) - Detailed Review
Security Tools
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Product Overview
StackRox Overview
StackRox, now part of Red Hat, is a Kubernetes-native security platform that plays a crucial role in the security tools and AI-driven product category. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
StackRox is designed to integrate security into every aspect of the application lifecycle, from development to deployment and runtime. It focuses on providing comprehensive security for Kubernetes environments, ensuring the security of supply chains, infrastructure, and workloads.
Target Audience
The primary target audience for StackRox includes security professionals, DevOps teams, and engineering teams. Initially, the platform targeted security professionals, but it found more traction when it shifted its focus to DevOps users and platform teams who are responsible for building and managing cloud-native applications.
Key Features
Supply Chain Security
- Simplifies DevOps processes by integrating security into existing workflows.
- Provides continuous image scanning and assurance within CI/CD pipelines and image registries.
- Scans images for OS- and language-level vulnerabilities.
- Integrates with SIEM tools and notification platforms for remediation and response.
Infrastructure Security
- Hardens the underlying infrastructure by ensuring compliance with CIS benchmarks or custom policies.
- Prevents configuration drift through regular compliance checks.
- Analyzes RBAC rules to prevent insecure access and authorizations.
- Monitors the Kubernetes API for high-risk actions like configmap changes or container exec commands.
Workload Security
- Prevents high-risk workloads from deploying or running using deploy-time and runtime policies.
- Enforces network policies based on the principle of least privilege.
- Uses allow-listing and behavioral modeling to detect anomalous application behavior indicative of threats.
- Monitors known good behavior to configure custom policies and alerts for anomalous and malicious behavior.
Additional Benefits
- Provides visibility and consistency across all Kubernetes clusters, reducing the time and effort needed for security implementation and remediation.
- Streamlines security analysis, investigation, and remediation processes.
- Integrates security into container build and CI/CD processes, enabling earlier identification and addressing of security issues.
By open-sourcing StackRox, Red Hat aims to foster a community-driven approach to security, encouraging innovation and collaboration to enhance the security of Kubernetes environments.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - User Interface and Experience
User Interface and Experience of StackRox
The user interface and experience of StackRox, now open-sourced as part of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes (RHACS), are designed to provide a comprehensive, intuitive, and integrated security management platform for Kubernetes environments.
Centralized Dashboard
StackRox offers a centralized dashboard that provides visibility into various security aspects, including risks, compliance status, suspicious traffic, and system violations. This dashboard presents data in the form of graphs or charts, making it easier for administrators to monitor and manage security across their cloud environment.
Ease of Use
The interface is structured to simplify DevOps processes by integrating security into existing workflows. It allows developers to access security context directly within their familiar tools and workflows, such as CI/CD pipelines and image registries. This integration helps in continuous image scanning and assurance, reducing the cognitive overhead associated with security management.
Key Features and Functionality
Vulnerability Scanning
The platform includes a built-in image scanner that identifies risks in container images based on specific layers, packages, or languages. It scans for both operating system (OS) and language-level vulnerabilities.
Compliance Management
StackRox enables detailed compliance checks, including adherence to regulatory requirements such as HIPAA and PCI DSS. It also allows for compliance checks against CIS benchmarks or custom policies.
Policy Management
Users can create and modify security policies to minimize risks based on configurations, vulnerabilities, and other factors. This includes preventing high-risk workloads from deploying or running and enforcing network policies that adhere to the principle of least privilege.
Integration with Other Tools
StackRox integrates with various third-party systems such as Jenkins, Travis CI, GitLab, Slack, JIRA, and Splunk, among others. This facilitates seamless integration with existing DevOps and security tools.
User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by the platform’s ability to provide real-time alerts and risk analysis. It offers data visualization, incident response, anomaly detection, and risk profiling, all of which contribute to a more transparent and collaborative security management process. The API and pre-built plugins further simplify the integration and use of the platform.
Accessibility and Support
StackRox provides multiple support options, including a knowledge base, phone support, and email/help desk support. This ensures that users have access to the resources they need to effectively use and manage the platform.
Conclusion
In summary, the user interface of StackRox is designed to be user-friendly, integrated, and comprehensive, making it easier for developers and security teams to manage and secure their Kubernetes environments efficiently.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Key Features and Functionality
StackRox Overview
Now open-sourced as part of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes (RHACS), StackRox is a comprehensive Kubernetes security solution that integrates deeply with DevOps and security tools. Here are the main features and how they work:
Supply Chain Security
- Continuous Image Scanning: StackRox scans container images for both operating system (OS) and language-level vulnerabilities, ensuring that images are secure before they are deployed. This is done through the Scanner component, which analyzes all image layers to check for known vulnerabilities from the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) list.
- CI/CD Pipeline Integration: StackRox integrates with CI/CD pipelines to provide continuous image scanning and assurance. This allows developers to receive security context within their existing workflows, simplifying DevOps processes.
- Image Registry Integration: It integrates with image registries like Quay, allowing it to analyze images uploaded to these registries and utilize vulnerability scans produced by tools like Clair.
Infrastructure Security
- Configuration Compliance: StackRox performs compliance checks against CIS benchmarks or custom policies to ensure the underlying infrastructure is configured securely. This prevents configuration drift and ensures that the environment remains hardened.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Analysis: It analyzes existing RBAC rules to prevent insecure access and authorizations, ensuring that access privileges are minimized according to the principle of least privilege.
- Kubernetes API Monitoring: StackRox connects with the Kubernetes API to monitor high-risk actions such as configmap changes or container exec commands, providing real-time security monitoring.
Workload Security
- Deploy-Time and Runtime Policies: StackRox prevents high-risk workloads from deploying or running using out-of-the-box deploy-time and runtime policies. This ensures that only secure workloads are allowed to run in the environment.
- Network Policies: It enforces network policies that adhere to the principle of least privilege, providing only the necessary access privileges to complete tasks. This hardens workloads and reduces the attack surface.
- Behavioral Modeling and Anomaly Detection: StackRox uses allow-listing and behavioral modeling to detect anomalous application behavior indicative of threats at runtime. It monitors known good behavior to configure custom policies and alerts for malicious behavior.
Integration and Automation
- DevSecOps Automation: StackRox automates DevSecOps processes by integrating security into the development lifecycle. This includes shifting security left into the container build phase and introducing monitoring and automation to improve application development, particularly during integration and testing phases.
- Integration with DevOps Tools: It integrates with various DevOps tools, such as Tekton Pipelines, using API tokens and secrets to authenticate and connect with the StackRox API. This facilitates seamless security checks within existing workflows.
Components and Architecture
- Central Component: This component gathers and displays information from other components, handles data persistence, API interactions, and UI access. It can manage multiple clusters.
- Sensor and Collector: The Sensor monitors the cluster and collects data, while the Collector monitors container activities such as runtime and network activity on each node.
- Scanner: The Scanner component scans images for vulnerabilities, analyzing all image layers and identifying vulnerabilities from package managers and language-level dependencies.
- Admission Controller: This optional component interacts with the Kubernetes API server to prevent the creation of workloads that do not adhere to security policies.
AI Integration
While the sources do not explicitly detail AI-specific features, StackRox’s advanced security capabilities, such as behavioral modeling and anomaly detection, suggest the use of sophisticated algorithms to identify and mitigate security threats. These algorithms help in detecting anomalous behavior and configuring custom policies based on observed good behavior, which can be seen as leveraging advanced analytical techniques, though the term “AI” is not directly mentioned.
Conclusion
In summary, StackRox provides a holistic approach to Kubernetes security by integrating deeply with DevOps and security tools, automating security checks, and ensuring compliance and vulnerability management across the entire lifecycle of applications.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
- RHACS has made significant strides in performance, particularly with its latest 4.0 release. This version includes a switch to PostgreSQL, which can improve database performance and scalability.
- The platform now offers full host-level scanning for Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS) nodes, which enhances the overall security posture by identifying vulnerabilities in the entire host operating system, not just Kubernetes components. This comprehensive scanning capability is backed by Red Hat-provided vulnerability data, ensuring accurate results.
- RHACS supports multi-arch builds and extends its support to various architectures, including IBM Power, IBM zSystems, and IBM LinuxONE, which broadens its deployment flexibility and performance across different environments.
Accuracy
- The accuracy of RHACS is significantly enhanced through its integration with Red Hat-provided vulnerability data. This ensures that the vulnerability scanning results are precise and reliable, especially for RHCOS components.
- The platform includes an updated and improved Network Graph (currently in Tech Preview), which provides more accurate visibility into network communications within the Kubernetes cluster.
- RHACS also features enhanced runtime events and reporting, along with improved search capabilities and Syslog integration. These improvements help in accurately identifying and reporting security issues in real-time.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
- While RHACS has strong support for various Kubernetes environments, including cloud marketplaces like AWS, GCP, and Azure, there might be ongoing efforts needed to keep up with the evolving security landscape. For instance, continuous updates are necessary to address new vulnerabilities and security best practices.
- The platform’s dependency on specific databases (now PostgreSQL) and the need for periodic updates to its vulnerability data can be areas where maintenance and updates are crucial to maintain performance and accuracy.
- There are feature requests and areas identified for improvement, such as better support for seccomp profiles and the ability to revoke certificates, which have been long-standing requests in the Kubernetes security community.
Integrations and Compliance
- RHACS integrates well with other security tools and platforms, such as Splunk, Sumo Logic, and PagerDuty, which helps in streamlining security operations and remediation. These integrations contribute to the overall accuracy and effectiveness of the security measures.
- The platform also ensures compliance with industry standards like CIS Benchmarks and NIST, and it includes FIPS Compliance validation, which is crucial for maintaining high standards of security and accuracy.
Conclusion
In summary, RHACS demonstrates strong performance and accuracy through its comprehensive scanning capabilities, accurate vulnerability data, and extensive integrations. However, like any security tool, it requires ongoing updates and maintenance to address emerging security threats and user requests.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure of StackRox
The pricing structure of StackRox, now part of Red Hat’s offerings, is based on several key factors and does not follow a traditional tiered plan model in the way many other software products do. Here are the main points to consider:
Subscription Model
StackRox is sold as a subscription license, available on either a one-year or three-year term. The pricing is calculated based on the number of nodes rather than a flat fee per user or a specific tiered plan.
Node-Based Pricing
The cost is determined by the number of nodes, with pricing varying based on volume. This means that larger deployments will have different pricing compared to smaller ones, as the cost scales with the number of nodes involved.
Cloud and On-Premises
The StackRox Container Security Platform can be deployed both on premises and in the cloud, with the pricing structure remaining consistent across these environments.
Hourly Billing for Cloud Service
For the Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security (RHACS) Cloud Service, which includes StackRox, the cost is charged hourly per secured core or vCPU of a node belonging to a secured cluster. This model is particularly relevant for cloud deployments and is calculated based on the actual resources utilized.
No Free Options
There is no indication of a free version or trial plan for StackRox. However, with Red Hat’s acquisition of StackRox, the platform has been made available as an open-source project, allowing the Kubernetes and container security community to use and contribute to the codebase. This open-source version can be accessed and used without a subscription fee, but it may lack the full support and features available in the commercial version.
Features Across Plans
The features of StackRox are generally consistent across deployments, including native vulnerability scanning, multi-factor risk profiling, attack detection, and integration with various third-party tools like Slack, JIRA, and Google Cloud Security Command Center. These features are part of the comprehensive security platform and are not segmented into different tiers.
Summary
In summary, the pricing for StackRox is node-based for on-premises and subscription-based with hourly billing for cloud deployments, with no free trial but an open-source version available for community use.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with DevOps and Security Tools
StackRox is designed to integrate with various DevOps and security tools, making it easier to operationalize security within existing workflows. It supports native integrations with security information and event management (SIEM) tools such as Splunk, Sumo Logic, and incident management platforms like PagerDuty. This allows for the direct sending of alerts and policy violation data, streamlining operations and remediation processes.
CI/CD Pipelines and Image Registries
StackRox integrates with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and image registries, enabling continuous image scanning and assurance. For example, it supports integration with Jenkins and CircleCI, allowing developers to incorporate security checks into their build processes. This ensures that security is integrated early in the development lifecycle, aligning with DevSecOps practices.
Cloud Marketplaces and Kubernetes Platforms
StackRox is available on major cloud marketplaces, including AWS, GCP, and Red Hat OpenShift Marketplace. This simplifies deployment and increases flexibility for customers running on these providers. It also supports multiple Kubernetes platforms such as Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
Infrastructure and Workload Security
StackRox enhances infrastructure security by hardening the environment and ensuring compliance with CIS benchmarks or custom policies. It analyzes role-based access control (RBAC) rules to prevent insecure access and authorizations. For workload security, it prevents high-risk workloads from deploying or running using deploy-time and runtime policies. It also enforces network policies based on the principle of least privilege and uses behavioral modeling to detect anomalous application behavior.
Additional Integrations and Compatibility
StackRox supports various container operating systems, including Google Container-Optimized OS (GCOS) and CRI-O, a lightweight runtime optimized for Kubernetes. It also integrates with service meshes like Istio, providing visibility into Istio services and their network traffic. This enables organizations to apply policy controls on allowed connectivity in Kubernetes environments running Istio.
Microsoft Teams and Other Platforms
StackRox natively integrates with Microsoft Teams to deliver security alerts and violation data directly to the relevant teams. This facilitates prompt action and collaboration between security and DevOps teams. Additionally, it supports Kubernetes on Distributed Cloud Operating System (DC/OS) and other cloud-native environments, ensuring broad compatibility across different platforms.
Conclusion
In summary, StackRox’s comprehensive integration capabilities and broad compatibility make it a versatile and powerful tool for securing Kubernetes environments, aligning well with the needs of both security and DevOps teams.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Customer Support and Resources
Support Options
Red Hat offers several tiers of support to cater to different customer needs:Self-Support
Access to Red Hat products, the knowledgebase, and various tools.
Standard Support
Includes access to support engineers during standard business hours.
Premium Support
Provides 24×7 access to support engineers for high-severity issues.
Enhanced Solution Support
This option includes access to senior-level engineers, resolution and restoration SLAs, and help in restoring operations quickly. It is particularly beneficial for critical issues in production environments.
Additional Resources
Knowledgebase and Documentation
Customers can search the Red Hat knowledgebase and access product documentation to find answers to common questions and detailed guides on using the product.
Technical Account Management
Technical Account Managers are available for collaborative planning and specialized guidance, helping customers streamline deployments, resolve issues, and shape their technology strategy.
Community Support
The StackRox community provides additional resources, including a community hub, Slack channel, and blogs for event updates and other relevant information.
Product Security Center
Access to the product security center where customers can find security advisories, updates, and best practices.
Integrated Tools and Workflows
Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes integrates seamlessly with existing DevOps tooling and workflows. This includes continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, which helps in providing integrated security guardrails that support developer velocity while maintaining the desired security posture.
Expert Engagement
Red Hat’s support team works closely with the best engineers in the industry to quickly address customer feedback and turn it into product improvements. This direct line of communication helps in proactive fixes that can impact the customer’s bottom line.
By leveraging these support options and resources, customers can ensure they have the necessary tools and expertise to effectively secure their Kubernetes environments using StackRox and Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes (powered by StackRox)
Comprehensive Security Coverage
This solution provides a Kubernetes-native architecture, offering protection across the entire application lifecycle, including build, deploy, and runtime phases. It integrates seamlessly with Kubernetes to manage vulnerabilities, policy violations, and application runtime behavior.
Lower Operational Costs
By guiding development, operations, and security teams to use common Kubernetes-native security tooling and practices, it reduces the cost of addressing security issues by catching and fixing them early in the development stage.
Reduced Operational Risk
The platform aligns security and infrastructure to minimize application downtime, using Kubernetes capabilities like network policies for segmentation and admission controllers for security policy enforcement. It can automatically respond to breaches by scaling suspicious pods to zero or deleting and restarting breached applications.
Increased Developer Productivity
It actively scans for vulnerabilities in repositories, development pipelines, and production environments, integrating with CI/CD tooling to support developer velocity while maintaining security posture. The solution also synchronizes updates with Red Hat OpenShift releases, ensuring compatibility and up-to-date security features.
Enhanced Visibility and Risk Profiling
The platform provides a numerical risk-based ranking for each deployment, correlating image vulnerabilities with contextual data to help teams prioritize and remediate high-risk issues first. This ensures that the most critical security issues are addressed promptly.
Configuration Management and Compliance
Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security evaluates and enforces configuration best practices based on industry standards like CIS Benchmarks and NIST guidelines. It identifies misconfigurations and allows for the creation of custom policies to enforce better configuration at build and deploy times.
Advanced Security Controls
Features include automated process whitelisting, dynamic admission control, and Kubernetes RBAC assessment. These controls help in identifying and mitigating threats, managing user access, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Integration with Existing Toolchains
The solution integrates with SIEM and incident management platforms like Splunk, Sumo Logic, and PagerDuty, as well as cloud marketplaces such as AWS, GCP, and Azure. This streamlines operations and remediation processes.
Disadvantages of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes (powered by StackRox)
Complex Setup for Some Features
While the platform offers extensive features, setting up some of the advanced security controls, such as eBPF instrumentation or integrating with Istio service mesh, might require additional technical expertise and time.
Resource Intensive
Implementing and maintaining a comprehensive security solution like Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security can be resource-intensive, especially for smaller teams or organizations with limited IT resources.
Cost Considerations
As a premium security solution, it may come with a higher cost compared to other security tools, which could be a barrier for some organizations, especially those with limited budgets.
Learning Curve
The extensive set of features and integrations can have a learning curve, requiring teams to invest time in training and familiarization to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.
While the disadvantages are notable, the advantages of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes often outweigh them, especially for organizations that prioritize comprehensive and integrated security solutions for their cloud-native applications.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing StackRox (now known as Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes or RHACS) with other AI-driven security tools, several key features and distinctions become apparent.
Unique Features of StackRox (RHACS)
- Kubernetes-Native Security: StackRox is specifically designed for Kubernetes environments, offering a full-lifecycle security solution that integrates seamlessly with Kubernetes clusters. It detects, manages, and mitigates security risks, including configuration issues and vulnerabilities (CVEs).
- Comprehensive Policy Management: StackRox allows users to create and modify security policies based on configurations, vulnerabilities, and other factors. It also includes an admission controller that can prevent the deployment of workloads that do not adhere to security policies.
- Component Architecture: The tool consists of several components, including Central, Sensor, Scanner, Collector, and an optional Admission Controller. Each component plays a specific role in monitoring and securing the Kubernetes environment.
- Open Source Availability: Red Hat has open-sourced StackRox, allowing the community to use and contribute to the codebase. This makes it a unique option for organizations looking for a community-driven security solution.
Comparison with Other AI Security Tools
Balbix
- Broad Enterprise Coverage: Balbix provides a more general enterprise security solution, analyzing over 100 billion signals across the IT environment to discover assets, identify vulnerabilities, and predict cyberattacks. It quantifies cyber risk in monetary terms and prescribes mitigation actions, but it is not specifically focused on Kubernetes.
- Financial Risk Metrics: Balbix stands out by quantifying cyber risk exposure in financial terms, which can be particularly useful for CISOs to communicate risk to boards and executives. However, it lacks the Kubernetes-specific focus of StackRox.
SentinelOne
- Endpoint Security: SentinelOne is an AI-driven endpoint security solution that focuses on advanced threat hunting and incident response. It does not have the same level of integration with Kubernetes or container security as StackRox.
- Autonomous Response: SentinelOne offers fully autonomous cybersecurity, which is different from StackRox’s more integrated approach within the Kubernetes ecosystem.
Vectra AI
- Network Metadata: Vectra AI uses network metadata to reveal and prioritize potential attacks. While it is effective in hybrid environments, it does not have the Kubernetes-specific security features that StackRox provides.
Darktrace
- Autonomous Response Technology: Darktrace is known for its autonomous response technology that interrupts cyber-attacks in real-time. However, it is more focused on general network security rather than the specific needs of Kubernetes environments.
Potential Alternatives
If you are looking for alternatives that also focus on Kubernetes security, here are a few considerations:
- Other Kubernetes Security Tools: While there may not be exact duplicates of StackRox’s feature set, other tools like KubeBench, KubeHunter, or even custom solutions built around Kubernetes’ native security features might offer some of the functionalities you need.
- General AI Security Tools with Kubernetes Integration: Some of the broader AI security tools, like those mentioned above, might have integrations or modules that can be used in Kubernetes environments, although they may not be as deeply integrated as StackRox.
In summary, StackRox (RHACS) stands out due to its Kubernetes-native architecture, comprehensive policy management, and open-source availability. While other AI security tools offer powerful features, they often cater to broader security needs rather than the specific requirements of Kubernetes environments.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about StackRox, now part of Red Hat, along with detailed responses:
Q: What is StackRox and what does it do?
StackRox is a Kubernetes-native security platform that protects cloud-native applications across their entire lifecycle, from build to runtime. It provides comprehensive visibility, vulnerability management, and configuration management to enhance container and Kubernetes security posture.
Q: How does StackRox enhance Kubernetes security?
StackRox enhances Kubernetes security by offering features such as scanning container images for vulnerabilities, enforcing policy enforcement at build, deploy, and runtime stages, and providing visibility into deployments, network traffic, and system-level events. It also analyzes Kubernetes role-based access control (RBAC) settings and tracks secrets and their usage.
Q: What are the key features of StackRox?
Key features include interactive dashboards for risk-prioritized snapshots, discovery of Kubernetes vulnerabilities, language-specific vulnerability scanning, and support for various ecosystems like CRI-O container runtime and Kubernetes on Distributed Cloud Operating System (DC/OS). Additionally, it integrates with Microsoft Teams for security alerts and supports multiple Kubernetes platforms like Amazon EKS, Azure AKS, and Google GKE.
Q: How does StackRox integrate with other Red Hat products?
StackRox complements Red Hat’s existing Kubernetes and container management solutions, such as OpenShift and Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management. This integration allows for a full-stack security solution, enabling organizations to secure cloud-native workloads more effectively and consistently across their hybrid cloud environments.
Q: What is the Adversarial Intent Model (AIM) in StackRox?
The Adversarial Intent Model (AIM) is a threat model developed by StackRox to focus on risk and threat detection by identifying attacker “action choke-points.” This model guides threat research and detection, enabling decisive and responsive actions to harden container environments against threats.
Q: Can StackRox be used with other Kubernetes platforms besides Red Hat OpenShift?
Yes, StackRox supports multiple Kubernetes platforms, including Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), in addition to Red Hat OpenShift.
Q: How does StackRox support DevSecOps practices?
StackRox helps organizations “shift left” by securing containerized applications earlier in the development lifecycle. It integrates with CI/CD pipelines to enforce security policies at build time and uses dynamic admission controls at deploy time, aligning with DevSecOps principles.
Q: What kind of support can StackRox customers expect after the acquisition by Red Hat?
StackRox will continue to provide service and support as required through and following the closing of the acquisition. After the acquisition, customers can expect to benefit from Red Hat’s industry-leading container and Kubernetes expertise and world-class support.
Q: How does StackRox handle configuration management and policy enforcement?
StackRox delivers pre-built DevOps and security policies to identify configuration violations, analyzes Kubernetes RBAC settings, and tracks secrets. It enforces configuration policies at build time with CI/CD integration and at deploy time using dynamic admission controls. It also analyzes Kubernetes YAML files and Helm charts for compliance and security issues.
Q: What is the impact of StackRox on existing Red Hat customers and partners?
Existing Red Hat customers will benefit from StackRox’s complementary Kubernetes-native security solutions, enhancing their overall security posture. Red Hat will continue to work closely with its ecosystem of partners, providing added value through StackRox’s capabilities.
StackRox (by Red Hat) - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of StackRox (by Red Hat) in the Security Tools AI-driven Product Category
StackRox, now integrated into Red Hat’s offerings, stands out as a comprehensive security solution for organizations leveraging container and Kubernetes technologies. Here’s a detailed assessment of its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Benefits
Comprehensive Security
StackRox provides a Kubernetes-native security platform that integrates deeply with Red Hat OpenShift, offering a layered security approach. This includes visibility across all Kubernetes clusters, enforcement of security best practices, and configuration management for both containers and Kubernetes.
Advanced Threat Detection
The platform features an Adversarial Intent Model (AIM) that focuses on risk and threat detection by analyzing the attack lifecycle, including foothold, privilege escalation, persistence, lateral movement, and objectives. This model helps in identifying and responding to threats more effectively.
Streamlined Incident Response
StackRox enhances incident analysis and remediation by providing chronological views of security events, custom notes, and automated remediation processes. This reduces the time and effort needed to respond to security incidents.
Policy Enforcement and Compliance
The platform includes a policy engine with hundreds of built-in controls to enforce security best practices and industry standards such as CIS Benchmarks and NIST. This ensures consistent enforcement of security and compliance policies across the environment.
DevSecOps Integration
StackRox integrates with CI/CD pipelines, enabling organizations to shift security left into the container build and deployment phase. This helps in catching potential security issues early in the development process.
Who Would Benefit Most
Organizations Using Kubernetes and Containers
Companies that have adopted or are planning to adopt Kubernetes and container technologies for their cloud-native applications will significantly benefit from StackRox. It helps in securing the entire container lifecycle and operationalizing full container life-cycle security.
DevOps and DevSecOps Teams
These teams will appreciate the integration of StackRox with their existing tools and workflows, enabling them to quickly operationalize container security and streamline security analysis, investigation, and remediation.
Enterprises with Hybrid Cloud Environments
Organizations operating in hybrid cloud environments will benefit from StackRox’s ability to secure applications across multiple cloud platforms, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Overall Recommendation
StackRox, as part of Red Hat’s security offerings, is a strong choice for any organization looking to enhance the security of their Kubernetes and container environments. Its ability to provide comprehensive security, advanced threat detection, and streamlined incident response makes it an invaluable tool for maintaining a secure and compliant cloud-native application stack.
Given its integration with Red Hat OpenShift and other cloud platforms, StackRox is particularly suitable for enterprises seeking to build, deploy, and secure open applications across hybrid cloud environments. Its focus on shifting security left into the development process aligns well with modern DevSecOps practices, making it a recommended solution for organizations committed to securing their software supply chain from the outset.