Binary Authorization for containers in GCP - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Binary Authorization for containers

Developer builds container image

↓

Image pushed to Container Registry

↓

Binary Authorization checks image signature

↓

Image deployed

↓

Container runs with verified image

This flow shows how Binary Authorization checks container images before deployment, allowing only trusted images to run.

Execution Sample

GCP

1. Build container image
2. Push image to registry
3. Deploy with Binary Authorization enabled
4. Binary Authorization verifies signature
5. Deployment allowed or blocked

This sequence shows the steps from building a container image to deployment with Binary Authorization enforcing image trust.

Process Table

Step	Action	Image Signature Present?	Verification Result	Deployment Outcome
1	Build container image	No	N/A	N/A
2	Push image to registry	No	N/A	N/A
3	Deploy with Binary Authorization	Yes	Signature Verified	Deployment Allowed
4	Deploy with Binary Authorization	No	Signature Missing	Deployment Blocked

💡 Deployment stops if image signature is missing or invalid, ensuring only trusted images run.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 3 (Valid Signature)	After Step 4 (Missing Signature)
Image Signature Present	No	No	Yes	No
Verification Result	N/A	N/A	Signature Verified	Signature Missing
Deployment Outcome	N/A	N/A	Allowed	Blocked

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does deployment get blocked even if the image is pushed to the registry?

Because Binary Authorization requires a valid signature on the image before deployment. Pushing alone does not add a signature (see execution_table step 4).

What happens if the image has a valid signature?

Binary Authorization verifies the signature and allows deployment to proceed (see execution_table step 3).

Is it possible to deploy an unsigned image with Binary Authorization enabled?

No, deployment is blocked if the image lacks a valid signature to ensure security (see execution_table step 4).

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the deployment outcome when the image signature is verified?

A Deployment Blocked

B Deployment Pending

C Deployment Allowed

D No Deployment

💡 Hint

Check the row where Verification Result is 'Signature Verified' in the execution_table.

At which step does Binary Authorization block deployment?

A Step 2

B Step 4

C Step 3

D Step 1

💡 Hint

Look for the step where Deployment Outcome is 'Deployment Blocked' in the execution_table.

If the image signature is missing after pushing, what will Binary Authorization do during deployment?

A Block deployment

B Ignore signature and deploy

C Allow deployment

D Request manual approval

💡 Hint

Refer to the Verification Result and Deployment Outcome columns in the execution_table for missing signatures.

Concept Snapshot

Binary Authorization ensures only trusted container images run.
It checks image signatures before deployment.
Unsigned or invalid images are blocked.
This protects your environment from unverified code.
Enable it in your GCP cluster for secure deployments.

Full Transcript

Binary Authorization is a security feature in Google Cloud that checks container images before they run. Developers build and push images to a registry. When deploying, Binary Authorization verifies if the image has a valid signature. If yes, deployment proceeds. If not, deployment is blocked. This process helps keep your containers safe by only allowing trusted images to run.