Kubernetes Security
Kubernetes security refers to the set of practices and controls used to protect Kubernetes clusters, workloads, and data from unauthorized access and exploitation. It spans cluster configuration, network policies, role-based access control, and runtime protection.
Kubernetes has become the de facto standard for container orchestration, but its complexity introduces a broad attack surface that requires careful security management. Kubernetes security involves hardening the cluster itself, securing the workloads running within it, and protecting the data processed and stored by those workloads.
At the cluster level, security starts with securing the API server, which is the central management point for all Kubernetes operations. Role-based access control (RBAC) should be configured to follow the principle of least privilege, granting users and service accounts only the permissions they need. The etcd datastore, which holds all cluster state and secrets, must be encrypted at rest and protected with strong access controls.
Network policies control traffic flow between pods, preventing unrestricted lateral movement within the cluster. Pod Security Standards (or their predecessor, Pod Security Policies) enforce baseline security requirements such as preventing privileged containers, restricting host namespace access, and requiring non-root execution. Secrets management should leverage external solutions like HashiCorp Vault or cloud-native KMS services rather than storing sensitive data in plain-text ConfigMaps. Regular cluster audits, admission controllers like OPA Gatekeeper, and runtime security monitoring complete a defense-in-depth approach to Kubernetes security.