Skip to main content

Introduction to Kubernetes Security

Last content update:

Welcome to K8s Security Guide, a comprehensive resource created by Itai Ganot to provide in-depth guides and best practices for securing Kubernetes environments.

This site is dedicated to helping developers, DevOps engineers, and Kubernetes administrators implement robust security measures aligned with the principles of the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) certification and beyond.

Topics relevant for the CKS certification exam are marked accordingly throughout the documentation.

Work in Progress

The site is actively being developed. More CKS-related topics are being added regularly. Content is kept up to date with the latest Kubernetes versions and security tools based on the CKS curriculum.

Documentation Structure​

The K8s Security Guide is organized into four main categories:

Security Fundamentals​

Core security principles including authentication, authorization, RBAC, and the Kubernetes security model. Essential foundation for understanding how Kubernetes security works.

Attack Vectors​

Common security risks, real-world Kubernetes exploits, container escapes, and privilege escalation techniques. Understanding threats is the first step to defending against them.

Best Practices​

Production-grade security configurations for hardening Kubernetes clusters, workloads, and network configurations. Covers all four CKS exam domains:

  • Cluster Setup & Hardening
  • System Hardening
  • Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities
  • Supply Chain Security

Security Tools​

Open-source tools for vulnerability scanning, runtime security, policy enforcement, and compliance auditing. Includes tools like Trivy, Falco, kube-bench, and more.

Who Should Use This Guide?​

AudienceUse Case
DevOps EngineersImplementing Kubernetes security in production cloud-native environments
Security EngineersHardening clusters and implementing security policies
DevelopersBuilding secure containerized applications
CKS CandidatesPreparing for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist exam

How to Navigate​

  1. Start with Fundamentals to build a strong security foundation
  2. Explore Attack Vectors to understand common Kubernetes threats
  3. Follow Best Practices to implement security hardening techniques
  4. Use Security Tools to enhance your security posture
  5. Browse Recommended Books for deeper learning resources
  6. Use the Search feature (top right) to find specific security topics

Contributing​

Have questions or want to contribute? Visit the GitHub repository:

github.com/geek-kb/k8s_security

Contributions, corrections, and suggestions are welcome.