Azure Kubernetes Service
AKS Security
Summary
Module Overview
This module dives into the core components and best practices for strengthening the security posture of your AKS cluster.
Azure Networking Fundamentals
- Design and configure Virtual Networks (VNets), subnets, and Network Security Groups (NSGs)
- Leverage private clusters and service endpoints to isolate AKS control plane and workloads
AKS Networking Modes
- Kubernetes’ built-in kube-proxy with basic networking
- Azure Container Networking Interface (CNI) for advanced IP management and VNet integration
Network Policies
- Apply Calico or Azure-native policies for granular pod-to-pod and namespace traffic control
- Enforce egress and ingress rules to limit attack surfaces
Service Mesh Integration
- Implement Istio or Open Service Mesh (OSM)
- Gain mutual TLS, traffic encryption, observability, and policy enforcement
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Integrate Azure Active Directory (AAD) for user and service principal authentication
- Define Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for least-privilege permissions
- Secure the Kubernetes API with Azure Private Link and Managed Identities
Azure Defender for Containers
- Enable threat protection to detect anomalous behavior and suspicious activity
- Monitor vulnerabilities in container images and running workloads via Microsoft Defender
Azure Policy for AKS Governance
- Enforce compliance rules on resource configurations, container image sources, and network settings
- Implement policy initiatives for audit, deny, or append actions on non-conforming resources
Next Steps
CI/CD pipelines for AKS will be covered in the upcoming module. Plan your DevSecOps workflows to automate security checks and deployments.
Links and References
- Azure Virtual Network Documentation
- AKS Networking Overview
- Network Policies in Kubernetes
- Azure Defender for Containers
- Azure Policy Overview
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