Profile

ARMO is a comprehensive cloud-native security tool built specifically for Kubernetes environments, combining an open-source foundation (Kubescape) with enterprise-grade commercial capabilities. The solution leverages extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) technology to provide runtime-based security monitoring and threat detection, distinguishing itself from traditional tools that rely solely on static analysis. As a CNCF incubating project with widespread adoption across organizations from startups to enterprises, ARMO delivers continuous security assessment, automated remediation, and compliance management through flexible deployment models including SaaS, on-premises, and air-gapped environments.

Focus

ARMO addresses the fundamental challenge of securing dynamic Kubernetes environments where traditional security approaches prove inadequate. The tool tackles three core problems: the overwhelming volume of security alerts and vulnerabilities that require prioritization, the complexity of implementing effective runtime security without performance impact, and the challenge of maintaining continuous compliance across distributed cloud-native architectures. By combining behavioral analysis with configuration assessment, ARMO enables organizations to identify actual security risks rather than theoretical vulnerabilities, while providing automated remediation capabilities that reduce the expertise required for effective security management.

Background

ARMO originated in 2021 when its founders recognized the need for a comprehensive, open-source Kubernetes security solution. The project began with Kubescape, focusing initially on configuration validation against the NSA-CISA Kubernetes Hardening Guidance before expanding into a full security platform. The technology has achieved significant adoption, with notable implementations including Orange Business's Managed Kubernetes Service and Gitpod's SOC 2 compliance infrastructure. Now operating under CNCF governance as an incubating project, ARMO maintains active development through both community contributions and commercial development, with regular releases and feature additions.

Main features

Runtime-based behavioral security monitoring

The platform's core security engine leverages eBPF technology to instrument the Linux kernel and observe system calls, network activity, file operations, and process execution in real-time. This kernel-level visibility enables comprehensive behavioral profiling across the entire application stack, from operating system to application code, without requiring modifications or imposing significant overhead. The system establishes baseline behavior patterns for applications and detects anomalies that may indicate security threats, providing context-aware security monitoring that can identify sophisticated attack techniques that evade traditional signature-based detection.

Intelligent vulnerability prioritization and remediation

ARMO implements a sophisticated approach to vulnerability management that analyzes both theoretical severity and actual runtime behavior to determine true risk levels. The system examines which vulnerabilities exist in code paths that applications actually execute, typically reducing the number of critical issues requiring immediate attention by 97%. When security issues are identified, the platform generates specific remediation recommendations with exact configuration changes needed, displayed in side-by-side comparisons that show current versus recommended states. This capability enables efficient resource allocation for security improvements while maintaining operational stability.

Comprehensive compliance automation and reporting

The platform provides automated assessment and reporting capabilities across major security frameworks including NSA-CISA guidelines, MITRE ATT&CK, CIS Benchmarks, and various regulatory standards. Through continuous monitoring and assessment, ARMO maintains real-time compliance status and identifies drift before it results in violations. The system maps individual security controls to multiple compliance frameworks simultaneously, enabling efficient demonstration of regulatory adherence while reducing duplicate effort. Organizations can generate detailed compliance reports that document their security posture and track progress toward compliance objectives.