The use of virtualized containers with functions is in vogue. Orchestration solutions, such as Kubernetes, are used to manage the containers. However, if this solution is compromised, this affects all managed containers. The question therefore arises about the security of Kubernetes and what pitfalls there are. I have received some information on this from Check Point, which I am posting here.
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More and more developers are turning to containerizing applications for their projects. To manage these containers optimally afterwards, orchestration solutions, such as Kubernetes, which can support or even automate things like deployment, management and scaling, help. According to Christine Schoenig, Regional Director Security Engineering CER, Office of the CTO, at Check Point Software Technologies GmbH, current reports speak of around 5.6 million developers now working with Kubernetes. That represents a year-over-year increase of about 67 percent.
Major hurdle security
The biggest hurdle facing those same developers continues to be security, according to Red Hat's State of Kubernetes Security report. According to its own data, 94 percent of respondents had to deal with at least one incident in the previous 12 months. But where exactly are the biggest problems?
1. Misconfigurations
As with many other security issues, the human element plays a large role in Kubernetes. Due to the increasing usage and often still short adaptation time in development, misconfigurations often occur, opening gateways for potential attackers.
2. Hidden elements
Some bugs or even hidden malware cannot be found in time before deployment and without runtime, evading detection until it may be too late.
3. New vulnerabilitie
Wider adaptation in development also draws increased interest from cybercriminals – hence a race is on to find potential vulnerabilities that could be strengthened or exploited.
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4. Data security
What data to secure in Kubernetes, and how, continues to be a question mark for many companies and their developers. However, with increased public interest, data protection laws and regulations (ex. DSGVO), and the rise in lawsuits by data subjects, data security is a core issue that needs to be addressed.
How companies can protect themselves propely
In addition to the pitfalls enterprises face with containers and Kubernetes, there are also ways to use the technology as securely as possible.
1. Security during development
Developers need to realize that agility and security do not have to be opposites in their work: The DevSecOps approach allows the two paradigms to marry. Early automation and security checks help to uncover errors in the code and artifacts at an early stage.
2. Checking your own setting
In addition to being able to manually check your own settings, there are now AI-powered aids that can help developers identify and fix critical misconfigurations before damage can be done.
3. Kubernetes Secrets
applications is to implement Kubernetes Secrets: special container objects used to store and deliver sensitive content such as credentials and keys to the pods where they are needed. erung von Kubernetes Secrets:
Security need to become a priority
In addition to the aforementioned means of making their own container development and subsequent deployment more secure, organizations that want to realize the full potential of containers and Kubernetes must also realize that security must become the default. That also means being willing to invest in the tools necessary to make applications more resilient. Failure to do so risks getting tangled in the technology's pitfalls, says Christine Schoenig.
