## Secure container images: a priority for modern applications In the era of microservices and automated CI/CD pipelines, the security of container images has become an essential element. A single vulnerability in an image can compromise entire clusters and environments. Security-conscious companies are moving to minimal or enterprise-managed images, which offer guarantees of reliability and vulnerability management. Attacks on the software supply chain are increasing, making container security a priority. ## The 3 best secure container images In 2025, the best platforms for secure container images are: 1. **Echo**: Rebuilds images from scratch, eliminating known vulnerabilities. It uses artificial intelligence to detect vulnerabilities and automatically regenerate images. * Automated patching with strict SLAs * Governance and policy controls * Broad runtime and language support * Pipeline integration 2. **Google Distroless**: Extremely minimal images, containing only the dependencies needed to run the application. Reduces the attack surface. * Minimal composition * Reduced attack surface * Immutable infrastructure * Performance improvements * Dependency clarity 3. **Ubuntu Containers**: Offers stability and long-term maintenance. It provides a complete environment and supports a wide range of software ecosystems. * Long-term security updates * Software compatibility * Enterprise security * Community support * Stability ## Additional considerations Choosing the right container image is a strategic decision. It is necessary to evaluate: * Vulnerability management (proactive elimination vs. reactive patching). * The trade-off between minimalism and completeness. * Operational consistency between environments. * Compliance alignment. * Ecosystem compatibility. * Maintainability over time. ## Conclusions Secure container images are essential for cloud-native architecture. Echo, Google Distroless, and Ubuntu Containers offer valid approaches to container security, suitable for different business needs.