Understanding Registry Scanning Architecture

Registry scanning operates differently from build-time scanning, requiring continuous monitoring rather than point-in-time checks. When a new CVE is published, images that were secure yesterday might become vulnerable today. Registry scanning automation must therefore run continuously, rescanning images as vulnerability databases update and alerting teams when new issues arise.

Modern container registries integrate with scanning tools through various mechanisms including webhooks, native integrations, and API-driven automation. Each approach offers different trade-offs between ease of implementation, scanning coverage, and operational overhead. Understanding these architectural patterns helps design scanning solutions that scale with your container infrastructure while maintaining security visibility.

The challenge of registry scanning extends beyond just running scanners. Organizations must manage scan results across potentially thousands of images, prioritize remediation based on image usage and criticality, and automate response workflows. Effective registry scanning automation transforms raw vulnerability data into actionable intelligence that development teams can use to maintain secure container deployments.