What is Zero Trust in Kubernetes?

Zero Trust is a security framework that assumes no entity, inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default. It requires continuous verification of every user, device, and application attempting to access resources.

Core Principles

• Verify Explicitly: Always authenticate and authorize based on all available data points.
• Use Least Privilege Access: Limit user access with Just-In-Time and Just-Enough-Access principles.
• Assume Breach: Minimize blast radius and segment access. Verify end-to-end encryption and use analytics to improve threat detection.

For organizations using Kubernetes, a powerful container orchestration platform, implementing Zero Trust means proactively securing your applications and infrastructure. Key components include:

Healthcare

1. Biometric Authentication for Staff – Require staff to use fingerprint or facial recognition in addition to passwords for secure access to systems.
2. Strict Access Controls on Patient Records – Implement fine-grained access controls based on roles and responsibilities, ensuring only authorized personnel can access patient information.
3. Encrypt All Data in Transit and at Rest – Use encryption protocols to secure data as it moves between systems and when stored on servers.
4. Monitor and Log All Access Attempts to Sensitive Information – Continuously track access attempts to identify suspicious activity and potential security breaches.

Banking

1. Employee Logs In → MFA Required. Employees must provide multiple authentication factors (e.g., password + one-time code) to access the bank’s systems.
2. Attempts to Access Customer Data → Device Health Checked. The employee’s device must meet security standards (e.g., up-to-date antivirus, encrypted hard drive) before access is granted.
3. Tries to Transfer Funds → Additional Verification Needed. Large transactions might require additional verification steps, such as a second factor authentication or manual review.
4. Accesses from Unusual Location → Risk Score Increases, Extra Scrutiny Applied. If an employee accesses sensitive data from an unusual location (e.g., a public Wi-Fi network), the system may flag this activity and require additional verification.

The Kubernetes Security Challenge

“Container usage for production deployments in enterprises is still constrained by concerns regarding security, monitoring, data management, and networking.” — Gartner, Best Practices for Running Containers and Kubernetes in Production, August 4, 2020.

“Container adoption is increasing, and security must come along for the ride. Organizations value the scalability and agility that containers offer, but containers introduce new security challenges that can’t be addressed with traditional security and networking tools. Commonly accepted security tools like vulnerability scanners, network forensics, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) are too heavy for a container environment. Security pros need cloud-native tools that are purpose-built for high scale, lightweight, ephemeral container environments.” — Best Practices For Container Security, Forrester Research, July 24, 2020.

With over 78% of organizations adopting Kubernetes, securing these environments has become critical:

• 62% of Kubernetes deployments are severely misconfigured
• Major risks include misconfigurations, vulnerable containers, and insider threats

Hassle-free deployments rely on a Kubernetes best practices cheatsheet!

Shift Left Security

Shift Left Security is an approach that integrates security into the software development process as early as possible, rather than waiting until the end of the development lifecycle. This approach helps to identify and address security vulnerabilities early on, reducing the risk of security breaches. Zero Trust is a security approach that assumes all entities, whether inside or outside a system, are untrusted until proven otherwise. In a Kubernetes architecture, this means that all network traffic, both internal and external, is considered untrusted and subject to strict access control and encryption. 

Zero Trust’s first solutions designed to protect Kubernetes (K8s) workloads in the cloud enable the below listed practical use case, all of which are supported by our CNAPP platform.

Enterprise-Grade Kubernetes Security

AccuKnox CNAPP aids in implementing true Zero Trust architecture in Kubernetes environments, ensuring robust security, compliance, and operational efficiency.

• Runtime Guardrails
• Incident Response
  1. Automated threat containment
  2. Detailed forensic logs
• Compliance Reporting
  1. Pre-built templates (PCI, HIPAA, etc.)
  2. Simplified audit processes
• Purpose-built for Kubernetes: Patented microsegmentation technology
• DevSecOps-friendly: Easy integration, pre-built templates
• Proactive & Efficient: Runtime protection for 50+ microservices in under 1 hour
• Compliance-focused: Simplified PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CIS benchmark adherence
• Enterprise-ready: 24/7 security assurance, continuous protection

Download the Kubernetes Hardening Guide for Containerized Apps – A Technical Whitepaper by NSA and CISA

Zero Trust Kubernetes Security Benefits and Challenges

The traditional security approach like IPTables fails to follow up on a microservice environment, like Kubernetes, due to continual changes in IP addresses. This is why the Zero Trust security approach bases its first protector on identity, user, and services. Zero Trust secures workloads both in private and public clouds through strict least privilege access via “deny-all” and “whitelist by design.”. Such things as using identity as a security boundary, extensible policy management to align business rules with governance, as well as continuous monitoring of systems and detection of anomalies, are key principles. As Reagan’s phrase suggests, “Verify, then trust and keep verifying.“

Network Security

Identity & Access

Securing Containers with Greater Visibility (Graph View)

Uninterrupted Pod/Cluster Monitoring & Detection

Kubernetes Security Management Posture (KSPM)

Managing access control and permissions in Kubernetes is complex. According to industry surveys, over 65% of Kubernetes admins struggle with properly configuring and analyzing RBAC policies.  The default RBAC implementation in Kubernetes offers flexibility to assign granular privileges through users, roles, and bindings. However, this creates a web of interdependent entities and relationships that quickly become difficult to monitor and secure. Within KSPM, the KIEM module focuses on Kubernetes Identity Entitlement Management.

5 Steps to Get Started 

1. Install KIEM agents to start indexing Kubernetes audit data

2. Define admin users and access credentials for the KIEM console

3. Review pre-built dashboards, relationship graphs, and risk queries

4. Customize searches and alerts tailored to your deployments

5. Get notified when risky changes or configurations are detected

Features of KSPM

Change History Review changes over time to identify risky modifications
Custom Filters Define and save filters to continuously monitor RBAC state
Critical Query Packs Spot issues like unnecessary privileges and orphaned accounts
Relationship Graphing Visualize connections between users, permissions, and resources
Multi-Entity Search Instantly search across service accounts, bindings, roles and more

Takeaways

Zero Trust is not a single product but a holistic approach to security. It requires a shift in mindset from “trust but verify” to “never trust, always verify.” While challenging to implement, it offers significant improvements in an organization’s security posture, especially crucial in today’s dynamic threat landscape. Zero Trust and Shift Left Security are essential approaches to enhancing the security posture of Kubernetes environments. By implementing these practices and utilizing tools like AccuKnox CNAPP, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 

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