eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) is one of the most transformative innovations to emerge from the Linux ecosystem in decades. By enabling programs to run safely and efficiently within the kernel, eBPF opens the door to a new class of high-performance tools for observability, networking, and security — without the need for invasive changes or performance tradeoffs.

eBPF allows developers to safely execute programs directly in the Linux kernel without altering its source code or loading external modules. This unlocks the ability to extend kernel functionality with high performance, safety, and portability — making it a foundational technology for modern observability, networking, and security. What was once only possible through complex kernel modules or user-space workarounds can now be achieved dynamically and safely, unlocking real-time insights and control across modern infrastructure.

Historically, placing security and observability logic in the kernel was risky and slow-moving, due to concerns over stability and performance. eBPF eliminates those barriers, enabling deep system-level visibility and enforcement without compromising the integrity of the operating system.

For an in-depth technical overview, visit ebpf.io.

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Why eBPF Matters for Modern Environments

Originally adopted in containerized and cloud-native environments, eBPF is now being recognized for its broader value across infrastructure and application layers. With eBPF, organizations can:

• Enhance Observability: Collect granular insights into performance and security events with minimal system impact.

• Optimize Networking: Improve efficiency in traffic routing, load balancing, and policy enforcement.

• Strengthen Security: Enforce runtime protections without requiring invasive kernel modifications or complex integrations.

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eBPF in Application Security: A Paradigm Shift

Legacy runtime security tools rely on bulky agents, require extensive configuration, and often degrade system performance. eBPF introduces a lightweight, dynamic alternative—one that offers real-time enforcement and deep observability without the operational burden.

Key benefits for security and engineering teams include:

• System-Level Observability – Monitor syscalls, file activity, API traffic, and network behavior in real time.

• Exploit Prevention – Intercept and block malicious activity during execution.

• Agentless Operation – No need for intrusive agents or kernel modules.

• Low Resource Overhead – Runs efficiently in the background, minimizing performance tradeoffs.

• Continuous Threat Detection – Always-on monitoring to detect and respond to anomalies instantly.

• Streamlined Deployment – Integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure with no application code changes.

eBPF enables security teams to transition from reactive detection to proactive defense—empowering them to identify threats earlier, respond faster, and reduce false positives.

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Why Run Security is Built on eBPF

At Run Security, we recognized early on that traditional runtime solutions were too heavy, too manual, and too disconnected from the pace of modern development. That’s why we built our platform from the ground up using eBPF.

Our architecture leverages eBPF to deliver:

• Always-Active Security – A continuous solution that never stops observing or detecting risks to your applications, so they can run without interruption.

• Zero-Friction Deployment – Easily installed without modifying code or rearchitecting infrastructure.

• Future-Proof Security – As eBPF capabilities expand, our platform evolves alongside it to meet tomorrow’s threats.

By embedding security into the kernel through eBPF, Run Security eliminates the overhead and complexity that traditionally hinder runtime security. The result? Seamless visibility and protection across dev, test, and production environments—without sacrificing speed or agility.

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Redefining Runtime Security

eBPF isn’t just a technological improvement—it’s a fundamental shift in how runtime security is delivered. With Run Security, organizations can adopt a modern, lightweight, and always-active approach to application protection that keeps pace with today’s dynamic software environments.

Want to see how eBPF powers modern runtime security?
Run Security is redefining what runtime application security should be: always-active,deeply observable, and designed to empower both DevOps and Security without slowing innovation. See for yourself and request a demo.