3 Ways CARIAD Configures Docker Business for Security and Compliance | Docker

CARIAD, an automotive software and technology company, unites more than 6,000 global experts and aligns major brands in the Volkswagen Group under one software strategy. Founded in 2020, CARIAD provides solutions to securely and compliantly update the fleet from mere transport to fully integrated digital experiences. CARIAD’s use of Docker provides a framework for embedding advanced software into existing systems.

As a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, CARIAD has expertise in complex identity access requirements, including integrating Docker with multiple Active Directory instances. Security and compliance requirements are critical, with added layers of complexity due to environment requirements introduced when developing embedded systems.

Docker Business is a specialized containerization platform for large enterprises, providing features that enhance security, compliance, and scalability. CARIAD leverages Docker Business to integrate Single Sign-On (SSO) and Image Access Management (IAM), which are crucial for meeting their stringent security requirements. These features allow CARIAD to control access to Docker resources effectively, supporting their security and compliance requirements.

Integration with WSL 2 

Docker Desktop makes it simple for CARIAD developers to run Linux containers natively on their Windows machines without the need for a dual-boot setup or a dedicated Linux machine.

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2) provides a hybrid development environment, with a Linux kernel running in a lightweight virtual machine, fully managed by Windows, yet offering near-native performance. 

Before WSL 2, the original WSL used a translation layer between Windows and the Linux file system, which introduced potential performance bottlenecks, especially for running build scripts or version control operations. WSL 2 introduces a full Linux kernel with a real Linux file system, stored in a virtual disk image. This greatly improves file IO performance and supports a broader range of tools and applications with better Linux system call support.

WSL 2 also improves resource management by dynamically managing memory and CPU resources allocated to the Linux subsystem. This functionality is crucial for CARIAD because it allows efficient scaling of resources based on workload demands, which is particularly important when developing and testing resource-intensive applications.

Docker Desktop integrates well with WSL 2 and provides the capability to execute Docker commands with any Linux distribution installed within WSL 2. This approach enables CARIAD to execute Docker commands within a custom WSL distribution that adheres to their organizational policy requirements.

Single Sign-On and User Access Management

CARIAD integrates Docker SSO, available in Docker Business, with its existing Azure Active Directory instances to ensure that only authenticated and authorized users access Docker resources, aligning with required policies. Enhancing the benefits of Enterprise SSO, this feature is crucial for proper configuration and enforcement of other security measures, like Image Access Management (IAM).  

Image Access Management 

CARIAD ensures it uses only authorized images from Docker Hub, enforced through tailored administrative configurations with IAM. This approach manages access levels by group and is a key component in enforcing security protocols, particularly in safeguarding container environments. Properly configured and enforced IAM, which is automatically enabled by enforcing sign-in, reduces the risk associated with unauthorized or unsecured images.

This process involves activating IAM, setting permissions that align with user roles and project requirements, and testing to ensure the permissions are working as intended (Figure 1).

The CARIAD team explains the importance of RAM and IAM when using WSL 2 this way: “While WSL 2 seamlessly grants elevated root capabilities within its environment, it is fortunate that these permissions do not extend to SYSTEM rights on the Windows host. However, if both registry and image access management are absent by the Docker Desktop setup, the lack of firewall and anti-malware protection could introduce a potential malicious container attack and a local privilege escalation.” 

Conclusion

CARIAD’s strategies for deploying Docker Business into a secure enterprise environment represent strong choices for any organization managing similar security, compliance, or identity access management requirements. For organizations looking to enhance their development operations, CARIAD’s model offers a blueprint for deploying Docker Desktop to large enterprises.

Using Docker Business features and WSL 2, CARIAD ensures compliance and supports a developer-friendly workflow. Within the stringent requirements necessary for automotive systems, developers at Volkswagen Group work with best-in-class tools and processes to build securely and quickly. CARIAD’s approach provides valuable lessons for enterprises looking to improve their development operations with Docker.

Read more from CARIAD in their case study — Building a Secure and Compliant Framework with Docker at CARIAD — and white paper — Using Docker Desktop in Large-Scale Enterprises — and get inspiration for secure, compliant Docker implementations in the automotive industry.

Learn more