gVisor
The Container Security Platform
Overview
gVisor is an open-source application kernel, written in Go, that provides a secure sandbox for containers. It intercepts application system calls and acts as the guest kernel, all while running in user-space. This provides a strong isolation boundary between the application and the host kernel, reducing the attack surface.
✨ Key Features
- Application kernel for containers
- Strong isolation with a user-space kernel
- OCI-compliant runtime (runsc)
- Integration with Docker and Kubernetes
- Written in a memory-safe language (Go)
🎯 Key Differentiators
- User-space kernel approach for isolation
- Lower resource overhead compared to full VMs
- Written in a memory-safe language
Unique Value: Offers a unique balance of security and performance by providing kernel-level isolation in user-space.
🎯 Use Cases (3)
✅ Best For
- Used in Google Cloud's serverless offerings
- Securing CI/CD pipelines
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Performance-critical applications that are sensitive to system call overhead
- Applications requiring direct access to hardware devices
🏆 Alternatives
Provides stronger isolation than traditional containers and is more lightweight than VM-based solutions like Kata Containers.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
- ✓ Dedicated Support (None tier)
💰 Pricing
Free tier: gVisor is a free and open-source project.
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