Introduction
The general misconception about the cloud is that cloud-native applications are often secured by default, but in reality, the truth is we need to secure the cloud as was in the case of on-premise, it's just that the tools to secure the cloud-native apps are different.
How secure is Kubernetes by default?
The primary issue regarding K8s systems security is getting access from the K8s platform to the underlying operating system. Security is a combined mechanism for protecting multiple levels using multiple protection mechanisms.
Generally speaking, Kubernetes runs on an underlying architecture and the apps run in the K8s clusters. We need to secure each of these layers with multiple security protocols/rules because it just needs a small weak link to falter at any stage of the whole architecture. Therefore, one of the best practices for security is to be redundant or repetitive.
Top 10 Kubernetes security best practices
Here are some recommended Kubernetes security best practices that can help you secure your Kubernetes clusters:
Keep your Kubernetes cluster up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Use network policies to limit network traffic between pods and reduce the surface area of potential attacks.
Apply the principle of least privilege by defining roles and access controls accurately, preventing users or applications from accessing resources that are unnecessary for their function.
Use secure authentication and authorization mechanisms such as RBAC, OIDC, and LDAP.
Secure your Kubernetes API server using TLS encryption and implement authentication, and use role-based access control (RBAC) through the API Server to control access to all resources in a cluster.
Use a container registry that supports image signing and verification to ensure container image integrity.
Use Kubernetes secrets to store sensitive information such as passwords, tokens, and certificates.
Harden the Kubernetes node operating system by disabling unnecessary services, enabling firewalls, and implementing intrusion detection and prevention capabilities.
Implement logging and monitoring for your Kubernetes cluster to detect and respond to security incidents.
Regularly perform security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities in your Kubernetes infrastructure.
These practices can help you maintain a secure Kubernetes cluster and protect your applications and infrastructure from security breaches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, security best practices are essential in the world of programming as they help ensure that systems are secure, protected, and able to withstand attacks. As a programmer, it's important to incorporate security best practices into your development process, integrate automated security testing, and regularly update your code and infrastructure to reflect the latest security standards. Doing so can minimize the risk of vulnerabilities and security breaches, protect your organization's data and assets, and help maintain trust with your customers and users. Always remember that security is a shared responsibility and requires a collaborative effort between developers, security professionals, and the broader organization.