What does containerization refer to in application security?

Containerization in application security refers to the practice of isolating applications so they can run securely in their own environments. This method encapsulates the application and its dependencies into a single container, ensuring that they operate independently from other applications. By doing so, containerization enhances security by minimizing the attack surface, as any potential vulnerabilities within a container do not easily affect other containers or the host operating system.

For example, if one container is compromised, the isolation provided by containerization helps to contain the breach, preventing the threat from spreading to other parts of the system. Additionally, containers typically run with limited access to system resources, further enhancing security.

Options involving virtual machines, storing data on removable media, or creating backups of databases focus on different aspects of system management and security that do not specifically emphasize the isolation principle that containerization provides. While these practices may contribute to a secure environment, they do not encapsulate the core concept of containerization in application security.