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Kubernetes, Containers & DevSecOps Security

Ship fast, without shipping vulnerabilities.

ThreatGaurd secures your path from code to production: Kubernetes clusters, container images, CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code, with security checks that fit how your engineers already work.

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Why it matters

Your delivery pipeline is now part of your attack surface.

Modern teams release many times a week through automated pipelines, container registries and Kubernetes. A leaked secret, a vulnerable base image or an over-privileged pipeline can put production at risk without a single line of application code being wrong.

We review and test every stage from code to cluster, and help you add the right checks into your pipeline, so security keeps pace with delivery instead of slowing it down.

  • Secrets in the wrong places

    API keys and passwords end up in code, images, pipeline logs and environment variables.

  • Clusters left on default settings

    Kubernetes is powerful but complex. Defaults, broad permissions and exposed dashboards leave clusters open.

  • Pipelines with too much power

    Build systems often hold production credentials, which makes them a high-value target for attackers.

Code to cloud

Security at every stage of your delivery pipeline.

Weaknesses can enter at any stage. We review each one, so issues are caught early, when they are quickest and cheapest to fix.

  1. Step 1: Code

    Developers commit application code, dependencies and infrastructure as code.

    What we check

    Secrets, vulnerable dependencies and IaC misconfiguration

  2. Step 2: Build

    The pipeline builds, tests and packages your software.

    What we check

    Pipeline permissions, runner isolation and secret handling

  3. Step 3: Registry

    Container images are stored and shared.

    What we check

    Image vulnerabilities, signing and registry access

  4. Step 4: Deploy

    Images and manifests are released to your clusters.

    What we check

    Admission control, policy checks and deployment credentials

  5. Step 5: Run

    Workloads run in Kubernetes and cloud services.

    What we check

    Cluster hardening, RBAC, network policies and runtime monitoring

Testing scope

Every part of your platform, from repository to running cluster.

Choose the areas that matter to you. Every engagement is scoped to your platform, tools and release process.

Kubernetes cluster security review

Managed and self-hosted clusters, such as Amazon EKS, Azure Kubernetes Service, Google Kubernetes Engine and OpenShift.

What we check

  • Control plane and API server exposure
  • RBAC roles, service accounts and namespaces
  • Network policies between workloads
  • Pod security standards and admission control
Cloud Infrastructure Security Assessment
Common findings in this area Sample
  • API server Reachable from the internet Critical
  • Service account Cluster-admin rights for a web app High
  • Namespaces No network policies between teams Medium

Container image security

Base images, application images and the registries that store them.

What we check

  • Known vulnerabilities in packages and base images
  • Secrets and credentials in image layers
  • Containers running as root
  • Image signing and trusted registries
Managed Vulnerability Management
Common findings in this area Sample
  • API image Cloud access key stored in a layer Critical
  • Base image End-of-life operating system High
  • Worker image Runs as root Medium

CI/CD pipeline security

Build and release systems such as GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins and Azure DevOps.

What we check

  • Pipeline permissions and production credentials
  • Runner and build environment isolation
  • Branch protection and release approvals
  • Third-party actions, plugins and dependencies
Web & API Security Testing
Common findings in this area Sample
  • Release pipeline Production keys available to every branch Critical
  • Build runner Shared between unrelated projects High
  • Main branch Changes can merge without review Medium

Infrastructure as code review

Terraform, CloudFormation, Bicep, Helm charts and Kubernetes manifests.

What we check

  • Insecure defaults caught before they reach the cloud
  • Public exposure and missing encryption
  • Over-permissive IAM in templates
  • Policy-as-code checks in the pipeline
Cloud Security Posture Assessment
Common findings in this area Sample
  • Terraform module Creates a public storage bucket High
  • Helm chart Privileged containers allowed High
  • IAM template Wildcard permissions Medium

Secrets management

How passwords, keys and certificates are stored, shared and rotated across your platform.

What we check

  • Secrets in repositories and commit history
  • Use of a central secrets manager
  • Rotation and expiry of keys and tokens
  • Secrets exposed in logs and variables
IAM Security
Common findings in this area Sample
  • Git history Database password committed Critical
  • Pipeline logs Token printed in build output High
  • API keys Not rotated for over a year Medium

Runtime security and monitoring

Whether you would detect and stop an attack inside a running cluster.

What we check

  • Runtime threat detection for containers
  • Audit logging of cluster activity
  • Alerts for suspicious behaviour
  • Incident response for containers
Discuss runtime security
Common findings in this area Sample
  • Cluster audit logs Not enabled High
  • Shell in a container No alert raised High
  • Crypto-mining pattern Not detected Medium

Methodology

Choose the scope that fits your platform.

We work alongside your engineering teams and agree the right approach with you during scoping.

  • Cluster and container review

    A focused review of your Kubernetes clusters, container images and registries.

    Best for

    Teams running Kubernetes in production.

  • Most common

    Code-to-cloud review

    Clusters and containers reviewed together with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code and secrets.

    Best for

    Most organisations. Covers every stage where risk can enter.

  • DevSecOps enablement

    We work with your engineers to add security checks, policies and guardrails into your pipelines.

    Best for

    Teams building security into everyday delivery.

Standards we follow

  • CIS Kubernetes Benchmark
  • CIS Docker Benchmark
  • NSA/CISA Kubernetes Hardening Guidance
  • OWASP Kubernetes Top 10
  • NIST SP 800-190
  • SLSA framework

How it works

From read-only access to a safer pipeline, in five steps.

Talk to a consultant

  1. 01

    Scope and connect

    We agree the clusters, pipelines and repositories in scope, and you grant read-only access. An NDA is signed before any access.

  2. 02

    Review the pipeline

    We review the code, build, registry and deployment stages, including infrastructure as code and secrets.

  3. 03

    Assess clusters and workloads

    We assess cluster configuration and test what a compromised workload could reach, without disrupting operations.

  4. 04

    Report and walk through

    You receive the reports, followed by a walkthrough with your platform, engineering and security teams.

  5. 05

    Fix and verify

    We help your engineers add checks to the pipeline and verify fixes once they are made.

Deliverables

Findings your engineers can fix, and a summary leaders can follow.

  1. Executive summary A short overview for leadership: overall risk, key issues and what to do next.
  2. Technical findings report Every finding with severity, evidence, affected clusters, images or pipelines, and clear remediation steps.
  3. Pipeline security blueprint Where to add scanning, policy and approval checks in your pipeline, without slowing delivery.
  4. Kubernetes hardening guide Prioritised settings for clusters, RBAC, network policies and pod security.
  5. Verification report Confirms which issues are fixed, for your records and your auditors.
Report summary Sample report

Overall risk

High → Low after retest

Critical
2
High
6
Medium
9
Low
7

Open findings

24before retest,3after retest

Fix first

Production cloud keys available to every pipeline branch

Owner: Platform team · 1 day

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FAQ

Questions leaders ask about container and DevSecOps security

Can’t find your answer? Our team is happy to help.

Contact our experts
What does a Kubernetes, container and DevSecOps review cover?

Your Kubernetes clusters, container images and registries, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, secrets management and runtime monitoring. The exact scope is agreed during scoping.

Which platforms and tools do you work with?

Managed Kubernetes such as Amazon EKS, Azure Kubernetes Service and Google Kubernetes Engine, self-hosted clusters, and common CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code tools such as GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, Terraform and Helm. Tell us your stack during scoping and we will confirm the approach.

Will this slow down our developers?

The aim is the opposite: catch issues early, when they are quick to fix, using checks that run automatically in the pipeline. We recommend controls that fit how your teams already work and avoid adding manual steps where possible.

What access do you need?

Read-only access to the clusters, registries, pipelines and repositories in scope, through accounts or roles you create and can remove at any time. Any hands-on work in your pipelines is agreed with your engineers in advance.

Do you test running clusters?

Yes, where it helps. With your agreement, we test what a compromised workload or container could reach inside the cluster, using controlled techniques that avoid disruption.

How long does a review take?

Most reviews take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the number of clusters, pipelines and repositories in scope. DevSecOps enablement work is planned with you after the review.

How is the cost calculated?

Cost depends on the number of clusters, pipelines and repositories, and how much hands-on support you need. After the scoping call you receive a fixed-scope proposal, so the cost is agreed before work starts.

Will this support SOC 2 or ISO 27001?

Both expect secure development and change management. Our findings, pipeline controls and verification report support that evidence. The final audit opinion always rests with your auditor.

Get started

Make security part of every release.

Tell us about your clusters and pipelines. We will come back with a clear scope and proposal, with no obligation.

Request Assessment Ask a question

What happens next

  1. A short scoping callWe learn your goals, environment and timelines.
  2. A fixed-scope proposalClear scope, approach, timeline and cost, in writing.
  3. Testing on your scheduleTesting starts on the agreed date, with regular updates.