Intro

In today’s security-focused landscape, visibility and fast response are key. Wazuh is an open-source security platform that offers threat detection, integrity monitoring, incident response, and more. In this article, we’ll walk through how to get Wazuh up and running quickly using Docker—perfect for testing or deploying in a modern DevOps environment. Let’s start with some theory first…

🐳 What Is Docker?

Docker is a powerful open-source platform designed to make it easier to build, package, deploy, and run applications—using containers.

Instead of installing software directly on a host system, Docker lets you run everything inside a container, which is a lightweight, portable, and isolated environment that contains all the code, libraries, and dependencies an application needs.

🔍 In Simpler Terms:

Think of a container like a mini-computer that lives inside your computer, with everything an app needs to run. Docker helps you create and manage these containers efficiently.

🔐 What Is Wazuh?

Wazuh is an open-source security platform that helps you monitor and protect your systems from threats, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activity. It’s used by IT teams, system admins, and cybersecurity professionals to keep their servers, applications, and data secure.

🔍 In Simpler Terms:

Think of Wazuh like a security camera system for your digital environment.
It watches your computers, servers, and networks — checking for signs of trouble, alerting you to suspicious behavior, and helping you respond fast when something goes wrong.

💡What Can Wazuh Do?

• Detect intrusions and malware

• Monitor system logs and file changes

• Scan for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations

• Ensure compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, etc.)

• Send real-time alerts for suspicious activity

🧠 How It Works (Simplified)

1. Agents are installed on the systems you want to monitor (like servers or workstations).

2. These agents collect data and send it to the Wazuh Manager.

3. The Manager analyzes the data, looking for problems or security risks.

4. You view everything from a nice Dashboard — with alerts, stats, and visualizations.

✅ Why Use Wazuh?

• It’s free and open-source

• Easy to integrate with Docker, cloud, or on-prem systems

• Gives you real-time visibility and control over your security

• Works well for both small teams and large organizations

🛠️ What You’ll Need

• Basic Docker knowledge

• Docker and Docker Compose installed

• A machine with 4GB+ RAM (more is better for smoother performance)

• Terminal access (Linux or WSL preferred)

🔜 Coming Up Next: Part 2

In the next part of this guide, we’ll walk through the full process of setting up Wazuh using Docker—step by step. From pulling the images to launching your security dashboard, you’ll have a working environment ready in no time. Stay tuned!