Kubernetes Security Mastery: Become a Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist

What you will learn:

Cluster Hardening
CIS Benchmark Compliance
Network Security Policies
Ingress Object Security
Node Metadata Protection
GUI Security Best Practices
Platform Binary Verification
Kubernetes API Access Control
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Service Account Security
Host OS Hardening
IAM Role Minimization
Network Access Control
Kernel Hardening Tools
Secure Container Runtimes
Pod-to-Pod Encryption (mTLS)
Kubernetes Secret Management
Supply Chain Security
Image Whitelisting and Validation
Static Analysis
Vulnerability Scanning
Runtime Security Monitoring
Behavioral Analytics
Threat Detection
Attack Investigation
Container Immutability
Audit Log Analysis
Security Tools (Falco, AppArmor, Gatekeeper)

Description

Unlock the secrets of Kubernetes security with our comprehensive masterclass! This course is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to ace the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam and confidently secure your Kubernetes environments.

We delve into a wide range of security topics, including:

Cluster Hardening: Discover how to implement best practices for securing your Kubernetes cluster, from network policies and access control to CIS benchmark adherence.
System Hardening: Learn the art of minimizing your attack surface by hardening host operating systems, IAM roles, and network access.
Microservice Security: Explore advanced security measures for microservices, including secure container runtimes, pod-to-pod encryption, and secrets management.
Supply Chain Security: Master techniques for securing your Kubernetes supply chain, encompassing base image hardening, registry whitelisting, image signing and validation, and static analysis.
Runtime Security and Threat Detection: Dive into advanced runtime security concepts such as behavioral analytics, threat detection, and immutability of containers, along with the use of powerful tools like Falco, AppArmor, and Gatekeeper.

With a combination of theory, hands-on labs, and real-world scenarios, you'll gain the expertise to build and maintain highly secure Kubernetes environments. Prepare for the CKS exam with confidence and elevate your Kubernetes security skills to the next level!

Curriculum

Introduction to Kubernetes Security & CKS Exam

This section sets the stage for your Kubernetes security journey. Learn about the CKS exam, including its structure, key objectives, and effective test-taking strategies. Get acquainted with essential tools like Trivy for vulnerability scanning, gVisor for enhanced container security, and CIS benchmarks for Kubernetes hardening. We'll explore the fundamentals of container security, including best practices for Dockerfile optimization and deployment file security. This section will equip you with the foundational knowledge and resources to confidently approach the CKS exam.

Core Kubernetes Concepts - Theory

Dive deeper into the fundamentals of Kubernetes architecture and key concepts. Explore YAML for configuration management, Docker for containerization, and the core components of Kubernetes, including Namespaces, Pods, Deployments, DaemonSets, StatefulSets, Jobs, Services, ConfigMaps, Secrets, Labels & Selectors, Requests & Limits, Logging & Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Taints & Tolerations, Storage, Ingress, Init Containers, Environment Variables, Commands & Arguments, Service Accounts, Security Context, Static Pods, Resource Quotas, Limit Ranges, and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). This section provides a comprehensive overview of these essential concepts, setting the foundation for understanding how Kubernetes works and how to secure it effectively.

Securing Kubernetes Clusters: Best Practices & Techniques

This section delves into practical strategies for securing your Kubernetes cluster. You'll learn about the importance of network security policies, CIS benchmark adherence, and proper Ingress object configuration. Explore techniques for protecting node metadata, minimizing GUI dependencies, and verifying platform binaries. Gain hands-on experience with security tools like Falco, AppArmor, and Gatekeeper, and learn how to apply these tools to create secure and resilient Kubernetes environments.

Deep Dive into Kubernetes Security: Advanced Concepts

This section takes your Kubernetes security knowledge to the next level. Explore advanced security concepts such as hardening host operating systems, minimizing IAM roles, and limiting external access. Learn how to implement appropriate kernel hardening techniques, manage Kubernetes secrets effectively, and leverage container runtime sandboxes like gVisor and Kata Containers. Discover the importance of pod-to-pod encryption using mTLS and how to secure your supply chain by whitelisting registries, signing and validating images, and conducting static analysis. This section will provide you with the expertise to implement robust security measures for your Kubernetes deployments.

Monitoring, Logging, and Runtime Security

Master the art of monitoring and detecting threats within your Kubernetes environment. Learn about behavioral analytics techniques to identify malicious activities, detect threats across your infrastructure, applications, networks, and data, and effectively investigate security incidents. Explore the importance of runtime security measures like container immutability, learn about the use of audit logs, and gain hands-on experience with advanced tools for comprehensive security monitoring and response. This section will empower you to proactively identify and mitigate security risks within your Kubernetes deployments.