Container Orchestrator Security Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current container technologies lack automated orchestration for secure and efficient computing, particularly in responding to security threats and infrastructure load, and they require complex user instructions for network management and encryption, making deployment insecure and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a container orchestrator to interpret external and manual inputs, generating shell scripts for deploying and managing containers securely and efficiently, utilizing standard APIs and existing tools to apply countermeasures and manage resources dynamically, allowing for secure and resilient container operations based on policy and real-time threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If container isolation features (user namespaces, control groups) are enabled to improve security, then security is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomplexity of container configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting security threats and configuring appropriate isolation features without requiring user expertise. The security module monitors container behavior and autonomously enables namespaces, control groups, or other isolation mechanisms based on detected threats, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex security settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring container performance and security metrics, then using this information to dynamically adjust isolation configurations. When security threats are detected or resource constraints are identified, the system responds by modifying container settings in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If container isolation features are enabled to improve security, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of container deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically configures security isolation features without requiring user intervention. When a container is deployed, the security module autonomously determines the appropriate isolation level based on the application type and threat model, then applies the necessary namespaces, control groups, or other security mechanisms transparently to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary security configuration before container deployment. Security policies, isolation settings, and resource constraints are pre-configured based on application categories and threat assessments, so that when containers are deployed, they automatically inherit the appropriate security context without requiring users to specify complex security parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If containers are allowed to use all host resources to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to resource starvation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic resource allocation where container resource limits are not fixed but adapt based on system conditions and application needs. The monitoring module continuously assesses host resource availability and container performance, dynamically adjusting CPU quotas, memory limits, and other resource constraints to maintain both high productivity and system stability under varying workloads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes resource allocation parameters dynamically based on monitoring data. When the host is under heavy load or security threats are detected, the system adjusts container resource limits by modifying parameters such as CPU shares, memory reservations, and I/O weights, thereby balancing productivity gains with system-wide stability and security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If automated orchestration is implemented to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of container managementVSAvoidcomplexity of orchestration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The orchestration system implements multi-functionality by combining security monitoring, resource management, threat detection, and container deployment capabilities into a single unified platform. This universal system handles multiple management tasks simultaneously, reducing the need for separate specialized tools and simplifying the overall system architecture despite the advanced functionalities provided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3635543B1Containerised programming
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3635543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Containerised computing processes are generated by an orchestration processor (5) interpreting user commands (1) and user profile data (3) to build a deployment specification specifying functions to be run by a containerised process, using a shell script run on a host virtualisation container (6). External events such as security threats and computing resource overloads can be used to generate the virtualised process, allowing vulnerability detection, and apply countermeasures such as deployment or migration of containers during attacks to lesser prone infrastructure, and allows the orchestration of non-container tools to provide security and resilience.