Section Introduction

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on cluster setup and hardening. In this lesson, we cover a range of essential topics to enhance the security of your infrastructure, including CIS Benchmarks, security tools, and various Kubernetes authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Overview

Throughout this guide, you will learn:

• The importance of CIS Benchmarks and how to run them on an Ubuntu system.
• Tools available for running security benchmarks on a Kubernetes cluster, which will also be used in our hands-on labs.
• Key Kubernetes security concepts such as Service Accounts, TLS certificates, and methods to secure node metadata and endpoints.
• Strategies to secure the Kubernetes Dashboard and verify platform binaries before installation.
• Techniques for upgrading a Kubernetes cluster.
• An overview of network policies and methods to secure ingress controllers.

CIS Benchmarks

CIS Benchmarks provide a set of security best practices that can be applied to various systems. In this guide, we demonstrate how to run these benchmarks on an Ubuntu system to ensure your server configuration meets the necessary security guidelines.

Kubernetes Security Essentials

In the next sections, we will delve into several vital areas:

1. Security Tools for Kubernetes:
   Explore the available tools for running security benchmarks on your Kubernetes cluster. These tools help you identify vulnerabilities and apply necessary hardening measures during the lab sessions.

2. Authentication and Authorization:
   Understand different authentication mechanisms in Kubernetes, such as:

   • Service Accounts
   • TLS Certificates
     Learn how each method contributes to a secure system by protecting your cluster against unauthorized access and ensuring secure communications.

3. Securing Node Metadata and Endpoints:
   Discover techniques to protect node metadata and endpoints, which are critical components of the Kubernetes cluster architecture.

4. Dashboard Security and Platform Verification:
   Review best practices for securing the Kubernetes dashboard. Additionally, learn how to verify platform binaries prior to installation, ensuring that only trusted binaries are deployed in your environment.

5. Cluster Upgrades and Network Security:
   Find out how to upgrade a Kubernetes cluster safely and securely. This section also covers network policies and provides strategies to secure ingress controllers, ensuring a robust and secure networking environment.

By mastering these topics, you'll be well-prepared to enhance the security and reliability of your Kubernetes clusters.

Happy learning and stay secure!