> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Summary

> This module dives into the core components and best practices for strengthening the security posture of your AKS cluster.

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  This module dives into the core components and best practices for strengthening the security posture of your AKS cluster.
</Callout>

1. **Azure Networking Fundamentals**
   * Design and configure Virtual Networks (VNets), subnets, and [Network Security Groups (NSGs)](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-network/network-security-groups-overview)
   * Leverage private clusters and service endpoints to isolate AKS control plane and workloads

2. **AKS Networking Modes**
   * Kubernetes’ built-in kube-proxy with basic networking
   * Azure Container Networking Interface (CNI) for advanced IP management and VNet integration

3. **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

4. **Service Mesh Integration**
   * Implement Istio or [Open Service Mesh (OSM)](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/aks/open-service-mesh-overview)
   * Gain mutual TLS, traffic encryption, observability, and policy enforcement

5. **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

6. **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

7. **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

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  CI/CD pipelines for AKS will be covered in the upcoming module. Plan your DevSecOps workflows to automate security checks and deployments.
</Callout>

## Links and References

* [Azure Virtual Network Documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-network/)
* [AKS Networking Overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/aks/concepts-network)
* [Network Policies in Kubernetes](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/services-networking/network-policies/)
* [Azure Defender for Containers](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/defender-for-cloud/containers-introduction)
* [Azure Policy Overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/governance/policy/overview)

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