Conftest

Overview

Conftest is a devsecops tool that appears across devsecops workflows in this knowledge base. It is referenced as part of higher-level security analysis, investigation, monitoring, or validation activity rather than as an end in itself.

What It Is

Conftest is best understood as a devsecops tool in this knowledge base. Its role is conceptual and system-facing rather than procedural: it gives analysts or defenders a structured way to examine evidence, model system behavior, or reason about security state.

How It Works

Conftest works by turning technical inputs into more interpretable outputs at the system level. Across the source skills, it appears as part of larger analysis, investigation, monitoring, or validation loops rather than as a standalone end state.

Core Concepts

• devsecops
• cicd
• opa
• gatekeeper
• policy as code
• kubernetes
• secure sdlc

Typical Workflow

• helm repo add gatekeeper https://open-policy-agent.github.io/gatekeeper/charts
• --set audit.writeToRAMDisk=true
• apiVersion: templates.gatekeeper.sh/v1

Use Cases

• When enforcing organizational security policies across Kubernetes clusters programmatically
• When requiring admission control that blocks non-compliant resources from being created
• When implementing policy governance that can be version-controlled, tested, and audited
• When standardizing security rules across multiple clusters and environments
• When needing a flexible policy engine that extends beyond Kubernetes to APIs and CI/CD

Limitations

• Output still depends on context, data quality, and surrounding analysis.
• The tool should be interpreted as part of a broader workflow, not as a complete answer by itself.
• Capabilities and visibility vary depending on environment, integrations, and available inputs.

Related Tools

• And Distribution, Gatekeeper, Kyverno, Open Policy Agent, Styra DAS, Testing

Sources

• implementing-policy-as-code-with-open-policy-agent