Kubernetes STIG compliance. Zero findings.
DISA STIGs aren't optional for DoD Kubernetes. We implement STIG-compliant configurations, harden containers for federal requirements, and get you to ATO with zero findings. FedRAMP, IL-5, NIST 800-53 — we've done it.
Talk to a compliance engineerKubernetes STIGs we implement
We've implemented every Kubernetes-related STIG in production DoD environments. Not theoretical — battle-tested.
Kubernetes STIG
V-242381
DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide for Kubernetes
Container Platform STIG
V-242400
Container runtime and orchestration security requirements
Red Hat OpenShift STIG
V-257509
OpenShift Container Platform security configuration
Container Image STIG
V-252845
Secure container image development and deployment
STIG compliance in 90 days
We don't just scan and hand you a report. We remediate, validate, and document — getting you to ATO.
STIG Assessment
We scan your Kubernetes environment against DISA STIGs, identifying gaps, documenting findings, and prioritizing remediation based on CAT I/II/III severity.
Deliverables
- STIG scan results
- Gap analysis report
- Remediation roadmap
- Risk assessment
Hardening & Remediation
We implement STIG-compliant configurations across your cluster. Policy-as-code ensures configurations stay compliant. Automated scanning catches drift.
Deliverables
- Hardened configurations
- Policy-as-code
- Admission controllers
- Automated scanning
Validation & Documentation
We validate compliance with official STIG Viewer, generate eMASS-ready documentation, and prepare your team for assessment. Zero findings is the goal.
Deliverables
- Compliance validation
- eMASS documentation
- Assessment prep
- Knowledge transfer
DoD-compliant container security
Containers in DoD environments require hardening beyond commercial best practices. We implement the full Container STIG.
Base Image Security
- UBI/Chainguard hardened images
- CVE-free base layers
- Minimal attack surface
- FIPS-validated crypto
Build Pipeline Security
- Image signing & verification
- SBOM generation
- Vulnerability scanning gates
- Supply chain attestation
Runtime Protection
- Read-only root filesystem
- Non-root execution
- Seccomp/AppArmor profiles
- Resource limits enforced
Admission Control
- OPA/Gatekeeper policies
- Image allowlisting
- Privilege restrictions
- Network policy enforcement
Compliance frameworks we implement
Beyond STIGs: we implement the full spectrum of federal compliance requirements for Kubernetes.
DISA STIGs
Security Technical Implementation Guides for DoD systems
DoD contractors, federal agencies
FedRAMP
Federal cloud security authorization
Cloud service providers to federal agencies
NIST 800-53
Federal security and privacy controls
Federal agencies, contractors
CMMC 2.0
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
Defense industrial base
CISA Zero Trust
Federal zero trust architecture guidance
Federal agencies modernizing security
IL-4/IL-5/IL-6
DoD Impact Level requirements
DoD mission systems
FedRAMP controls in Kubernetes
How we implement key NIST 800-53 controls — required for FedRAMP — in Kubernetes environments.
AC-2 Account Management
RBAC with external IdP integration, automated account reviews, service account lifecycle management
AU-2 Audit Events
API server audit logging, container runtime events, network flow logs to SIEM
CA-7 Continuous Monitoring
Real-time compliance scanning, configuration drift detection, vulnerability monitoring
CM-2 Baseline Configuration
GitOps-managed configurations, STIG-compliant baselines, automated drift remediation
IA-5 Authenticator Management
Secrets management (Vault/External Secrets), certificate rotation, workload identity
SC-7 Boundary Protection
Network policies, service mesh mTLS, ingress/egress controls, micro-segmentation
A reference STIG compliance pipeline we've shipped to ATO
From gap assessment to zero-findings ATO, with continuous monitoring enforced in-pipeline.
STIG Gap Assessment
STIG Viewer · SCAP scanning · CAT I/II/III triage
Remediation & Hardening
OPA/Gatekeeper · Kyverno · Iron Bank/Chainguard images
ATO Validation
eMASS documentation · 3PAO/assessor prep
Continuous Monitoring
Automated STIG scanning · drift detection · POA&M
Policy-as-Code
OPA/Gatekeeper · Kyverno
STIG-compliant baselines enforced automatically, drift remediated in GitOps.
Audit Evidence
eMASS · audit logging · SIEM
Evidence collection on-demand — audit prep in hours, not weeks.
Defense contractor achieves IL-5 with zero STIG findings
Defense Industrial Base
The Challenge
A defense contractor required IL-5 compliant Kubernetes on AWS GovCloud to support a classified DoD program. Previous attempts with other vendors resulted in 40+ CAT I/II findings during assessment. Timeline was 90 days.
Our Approach
- Conducted comprehensive STIG assessment against Kubernetes and Container STIGs
- Implemented hardened EKS configuration with STIG-compliant node images
- Deployed OPA/Gatekeeper policies enforcing STIG controls
- Configured audit logging meeting eMASS requirements
- Built automated STIG scanning into CI/CD pipeline
Results
Zero
STIG findings
90 days
To IL-5 ATO
100%
Control coverage
24/7
ConMon active
Federal compliance expertise that delivers
Most consultancies can run a STIG scanner. Few can actually remediate findings, implement policy-as-code, and get you to ATO. We've done it for defense contractors, federal agencies, and cloud service providers — achieving zero findings on DoD assessments.
Our team includes US citizens with clearance eligibility who understand the realities of federal work: eMASS documentation, 3PAO assessments, POA&M management, and the bureaucracy of government IT. We don't just implement controls — we prepare you to defend them.
Unlike product vendors pushing their own compliance tools, we're vendor-agnostic. We implement STIGs using the tools that work for your environment: OPA/Gatekeeper, Kyverno, Anchore, Prisma Cloud — whatever gets you compliant and stays maintainable.
Frequently asked questions
What are STIGs and why do they matter for Kubernetes?
Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) are configuration standards developed by DISA for DoD systems. For Kubernetes, the Kubernetes STIG (V-242381) and Container Platform STIG define over 100 security controls covering API server hardening, RBAC, network policies, audit logging, and more. If you're running Kubernetes for DoD workloads, STIG compliance is mandatory for ATO.
How long does STIG compliance take for a Kubernetes cluster?
For a greenfield deployment, we can achieve full STIG compliance in 6-8 weeks. For existing clusters, it depends on the current state — our assessment identifies gaps and we typically remediate within 8-12 weeks. We've done it in 90 days for urgent ATO timelines.
What's the difference between STIG compliance and FedRAMP?
STIGs are DoD-specific configuration standards. FedRAMP is a federal program for authorizing cloud services. They overlap significantly — FedRAMP High maps closely to DoD requirements. If you're building for DoD on commercial cloud, you likely need both: STIG-compliant configurations within a FedRAMP-authorized environment (or GovCloud).
Can you help with eMASS documentation?
Yes. We've supported numerous DoD ATOs and understand eMASS requirements. We generate compliance documentation in the format assessors expect, map controls to evidence, and prepare your team for assessment questions. Our goal is zero findings.
Do you support continuous compliance monitoring?
Absolutely. Point-in-time compliance is worthless if configurations drift. We implement automated STIG scanning, policy-as-code enforcement, and real-time alerting. Your security team gets dashboards showing compliance status, and drift is automatically remediated.
What about FedRAMP continuous monitoring (ConMon)?
We implement the ConMon controls FedRAMP requires: automated vulnerability scanning, configuration monitoring, incident response integration, and monthly reporting. All feeding into your POA&M process. We can operate this for you or enable your team to self-manage.
Do you have clearances?
Our team includes US citizens eligible for security clearances. We understand the requirements of working in classified environments and have supported programs requiring clearances. We can discuss specifics under NDA.
What container registries do you recommend for DoD?
For IL-4/IL-5, we typically use Iron Bank (DoD's hardened container registry) or Chainguard images. Both provide STIG-compliant, CVE-free base images with proper provenance. We can also help you establish an internal registry with equivalent controls if required.
Technology Partners
Related Reading
FedRAMP Kubernetes: Containers for Federal Workloads
How to run Kubernetes in FedRAMP environments with compliant architecture patterns.
Zero-Trust Kubernetes: Network Policy From First Principles
Build defense-in-depth with Kubernetes network policies. STIG-compliant segmentation.
Government & Defense Kubernetes
Our full capabilities for federal agencies and defense contractors.
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US-based team · All US citizens · Continental United States only