What eBPF Means for Container Threat Detection

eBPF (enhanced Berkeley Packet Filter) is a Linux kernel technology that offers a powerful and stable method of observing the Linux kernel. It’s like having a VM in the kernel that can safely run hooks (i.e. programs) for filtering data like network events, system calls, packets, and more. eBPF is being adopted at scale for its guaranteed stability, the ability to work directly in the kernel, and potential savings when factoring in the compute process for gathering telemetry on Linux servers and containers.

eBPF is rapidly gaining traction in cloud native applications, especially in places where traditional security monitoring doesn’t work. It’s eBPF is well suited for uses in distributed and container-based environments, including Kubernetes. The core benefits of the technology include speed and performance, a low level of intrusiveness, security, unified tracing, and programmability. It is safer than previous options because of the way it sees inside processes without introducing the risk of crashing the application or modifying the kernel in any way. eBPF is a preferred alternative to the audited framework because it is less invasive and more efficient.

By monitoring from the kernel layer, many of the challenges associated with observability in the cloud are solved. You can enjoy deeper visibility, more context, and more accuracy in your data. If you have an interest in increasing your container security, it’s worth learning more about what eBPF can do for you.