ABOUT SECURITY KUBERNETES ESSENTIALS COURSE

This Security Kubernetes Essentials course teaches you how to secure container-based applications and Kubernetes systems during build, deployment, and runtime. This online session is suitable for anyone with a CKA degree who is involved in or in charge of cloud security.

This course is intended to prepare students for the Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Exam and will significantly improve their ability to become certified. 

LAB INFO

If you’re using a cloud service like GCP or AWS, you should be able to finish the lab exercises with the free tier or credits that were given to you. However, you can be charged if you use more credits than the cloud provider originally allotted to you, or if the cloud provider’s terms and conditions change.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This Security Kubernetes course will teach you the information and skills required to manage protection in fast-paced, multi-project environments. This course addresses cloud production security concerns and explores topics relating to the security container supply chain, addressing topics from before a cluster has been deployed to implementation and ongoing, as well as agile use, including where to find ongoing security and vulnerability details. Hands-on labs are included in the course to create and protect a Kubernetes cluster, as well as track and record security incidents.

What is Security Kubernetes exactly?

On the basis of cloud native security, Kubernetes Security is built on the four C’s: Cloud, Cluster, Container, and Code.

Cloud

Kubernetes security is based on the physical architecture of the cloud (or a corporate datacenter/colocation facility). This is regardless of whether the cluster is housed in a private data center, a public cloud service, or a combination of both.

Cluster

The Kubernetes API and the security of all the apps that are part of the cluster are both aspects of securing a Kubernetes cluster. Because most cloud-native apps are built on microservices and APIs, apps are only as secure as the weakest link in the chain.

Container

Best practices for container design include beginning with a minimal code base, minimizing excessive rights for users, and providing that containers are inspected for vulnerabilities during build time.

Code

Any Kubernetes setup is vulnerable to attack because of the code. Preventing security vulnerabilities in production environments may be as simple as encrypted TCP using TLS handshakes, without exposing unused ports, screening, and monitoring on an ongoing basis.

Kubernetes Security is critical throughout the lifecycle of a container

Given the dynamic nature of a Kubernetes cluster, Kubernetes security is critical throughout the lifespan of a container. Each of the three stages of an application’s lifetime requires a unique security strategy. Kubernetes has built-in benefits in terms of security. Instead of patching or updating application containers, for example, container images are often swapped with newer ones. A vulnerability in new code may be quickly remedied because of rigorous version control and fast rollbacks.

Although individual pods are transitory and temporary, the changing runtime environment may provide issues for IT security experts since applications and API linkages to other apps and services are always changing.

Solutions for Kubernetes Security

Consider the following areas:

There are a plethora of options available within the K8s security solutions ecosystem, despite the fact that the security solutions that are incorporated into Kubernetes do not address all potential problems.

The following are some areas that should be considered:

Workload configuration

The configuration for running your apps in Kubernetes is often done in code. This may be accomplished via the use of Kubernetes YAML, Helm Charts, or other templating tools. This piece of code has an effect on the security rules inside Kubernetes, which govern how a workload is executed as well as what may or cannot occur in the case of a breach. For instance, restricting each task’s CPU, memory, and networking to the maximum intended utilization will assist to confine any breaches to the afflicted workload and guarantee that other services will not be impacted. 

Security for workloads

The vast bulk of the workloads managed by Kubernetes are containers that operate on Docker engines. Despite the fact that, in some circumstances, you may be utilizing alternative container solutions (such as CRI-O or Containerd) in parallel, the fact remains that you would still be running containers regardless of which engine is running on the back end. It is necessary to ensure that the code and any additional packages included inside such containers do not have any vulnerabilities.

Configuration of the Cluster

You have access to a variety of Kubernetes security evaluation tools for use with any clusters that are already in operation. In addition to their other capabilities, these tools verify that Kubernetes security best practices, as well as CIS and any other applicable standards, are followed.

Infrastructure security

Because Kubernetes is a distributed application that runs across multiple servers it is essential to secure your Kubernetes infrastructure, especially the master nodes, database, and certificates. If a hostile actor has successfully hacked your infrastructure, they may be able to obtain access to everything that is required to access your cluster as well as your apps.

Kubernetes networking

When it comes to Kubernetes, the importance of keeping the network security cannot be overstated. All of these things—pod communications, ingress, egress, service discovery, and, if necessary, service meshes (like Istio)—need to be taken into consideration. After a cluster has been compromised, every service and computer connected to the network is vulnerable to attack. As a result, it is essential to make certain that your services and the communication that occurs between them are restricted to just what is required. The combination of this with the use of encryption to keep your computers and services private may also assist to limit the danger and avoid a big breach that affects the whole network.

Why Kubernetes security is important?

Although every application and platform should be adequately protected, Kubernetes has received significantly more attention than other software platforms when it comes to securing it. What’s the reason behind this?

Firstly, Kubernetes may be used for both tiny apps (including those operating on a single development workstation) and ones with enormous clusters spanning up to 5,000 nodes—each needing distinct security controls and rules. Kubernetes, on the other hand, makes security a snap when compared to other software products since security is baked into every layer of the platform.

SECURITY KUBERNETES – JOB OVERVIEW

For web servers, cloud computing, mobile phones, and consumer electronics, Linux is the most popular operating system.

According to Payscale the average salary of a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) with Development Operations (DevOps) Skills in the U.S. is $ 119,114 per year.

Related courses:

Cost effective – Kubernetes Security Essentials (LFS260) + CKS Exam Bundle

Exam only – Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)

Instructor Led Certification – Kubernetes Security Fundamentals (LFS460)

Bundle savings of $1,300 with Cloud Engineer Bootcamp

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