Securing Applications in AKS
1. Securing Applications in AKS
In this video, we'll explore how to secure applications in AKS, focusing on identity, access, and data protection.2. Why security matters
Security is critical in any production environment. Containers and Kubernetes introduce new layers of complexity, and without proper safeguards, workloads can be exposed to risks.3. Why security matters
AKS integrates with Azure's security ecosystem to help protect applications, data, and users. Strong security practices also build trust with customers and stakeholders, proving that workloads are resilient and well-managed.4. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Kubernetes provides Role-Based Access Control to control who can perform actions in the cluster.5. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
In AKS, Role-Based Access Control integrates with Entra ID, allowing you to assign roles to users or groups. This ensures that only authorized individuals can deploy, scale, or modify workloads.6. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
For example, developers may have permissions to deploy apps, while operators manage scaling and monitoring. Granular role assignments reduce the risk of accidental or malicious changes.7. Secrets management
Applications often require sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, or certificates. Kubernetes stores these as secrets, which can be mounted into pods securely.8. Secrets management
In AKS, secrets can integrate with Azure Key Vault, providing centralized management and encryption. This approach ensures sensitive data is never hard-coded into images or manifests, reducing the risk of leaks. Rotating secrets regularly further strengthens protection against compromise.9. Network security
AKS clusters run inside Azure Virtual Networks, enabling you to apply network security groups and firewalls.10. Network security
You can restrict traffic between pods, enforce policies, and isolate workloads.11. Network security
Ingress controllers can be configured with TLS certificates to secure external traffic.12. Network security
Network policies allow you to define which pods can communicate, reducing the attack surface. Combining these features ensures both internal and external communication is protected.13. Image security
Container images are the foundation of workloads, so they must be trusted. Azure Container Registry supports image scanning to detect vulnerabilities before deployment.14. Image security
You can enforce policies that only signed or approved images are allowed in the cluster.15. Image security
Regularly updating base images and applying patches keeps workloads secure. By validating images, you prevent compromised software from entering production.16. Monitoring and compliance
Security doesn't stop at configuration. Continuous monitoring is essential to detect threats. Azure Defender for Kubernetes provides runtime protection, detecting suspicious activity such as privilege escalation or anomalous network traffic. Compliance tools help ensure clusters meet organizational or regulatory standards. Together, monitoring and compliance create a proactive security posture.17. Recap
Securing applications in AKS involves Role-Based Access Control, secrets management, network controls, image validation, and continuous monitoring. By combining these practices, you build resilient workloads that protect users and data.18. Let's practice!
Now harden your AKS cluster: configure RBAC roles, store secrets in Key Vault, and apply a network policy.Create Your Free Account
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