Key Metrics for Container Security

Measuring container security effectiveness requires tracking multiple metrics that provide insight into risk levels and improvement trends. Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) measures how quickly vulnerabilities are identified after they're introduced or disclosed. This metric helps evaluate scanning frequency and coverage. Shorter detection times reduce the window of exposure and demonstrate proactive security practices.

Mean Time to Remediation (MTTR) tracks how long vulnerabilities remain in production after detection. This metric reveals bottlenecks in the remediation process and helps identify areas for improvement. Breaking down MTTR by severity level ensures that critical vulnerabilities receive appropriate urgency. Tracking MTTR trends over time shows whether security processes are improving or degrading.

Vulnerability density metrics provide insight into overall security posture. Tracking vulnerabilities per image, per application, or per team helps identify problem areas requiring additional attention. Comparing vulnerability density across different base images can guide standardization decisions. These metrics should be contextualized with information about image usage and criticality to provide meaningful risk assessments.