What is the main benefit of using minimal base container images and SBOM attestation practices...

The use of minimal base container images and Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) attestation is a best practice for strengthening software supply chain security. Option B is correct because smaller base images contain fewer components, which inherently reduces the attack surface and the number of potential vulnerabilities. SBOMs, meanwhile, provide a detailed inventory of included libraries and dependencies, enabling vulnerability scanning, license compliance, and traceability.

Option A is only a partial benefit, not the primary goal. Option C (maximum flexibility) contradicts the principle of minimal images, which deliberately restrict included software. Option D (reducing storage costs) may be a side effect but is not the core benefit in a security-focused context.

By combining minimal images with SBOM practices, platform teams ensure stronger compliance with supply chain security frameworks, enable early detection of vulnerabilities in CI/CD pipelines, and support fast remediation. This is emphasized in CNCF security and platform engineering guidance as a way to align with zero-trust principles.