COURSE FORMAT & DELIVERY DETAILS Learn At Your Own Pace, On Your Schedule, With Complete Confidence
This self-paced course is designed for professionals who demand flexibility without sacrificing depth or quality. From the moment you enroll, you gain immediate online access to a fully structured learning journey that adapts to your life and career goals. There are no fixed dates, no scheduled sessions, and no time-bound obligations-everything is available on-demand so you can progress whenever it suits you best. Real Results in Real Time
Most learners report immediate clarity within the first few hours, with tangible skill application possible in as little as one week. The average completion time is 28 hours, though many finish faster by focusing on high-impact modules relevant to their current challenges. This is not a theoretical exercise-it's a results-driven path to mastering Kubernetes security in real-world environments. Lifetime Access, Zero Expiry, Forever Updated
Once you’re enrolled, you have lifetime access to all course materials. This includes every future update, enhancement, and expansion at no additional cost. As Kubernetes evolves and new threats emerge, the content evolves with it-ensuring your knowledge remains cutting-edge for years to come. Access Anywhere, Anytime, On Any Device
The course platform is fully mobile-friendly and optimized for 24/7 global access. Whether you’re working from your laptop at home, reviewing key concepts on a tablet during travel, or studying on your phone between meetings, your progress syncs seamlessly across devices. The system automatically tracks your advancement, allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off, regardless of device or location. Dedicated Instructor Support for Every Learner
You are not learning in isolation. Throughout the course, you’ll have direct access to expert guidance through responsive instructor-led support channels. Questions are answered promptly, with detailed feedback tailored to your specific role and use case. This ensures that confusion never becomes a barrier to mastery. Earn a Globally Recognized Certificate of Completion
Upon finishing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service. This credential is trusted by thousands of organizations worldwide and carries significant weight in technical hiring, promotions, and enterprise validation. It demonstrates your commitment to excellence in Kubernetes security and serves as verifiable proof of your advanced skills. Transparent, One-Time Pricing-No Hidden Fees
There are no surprise charges, subscription traps, or hidden fees of any kind. The price you see is the only price you pay. Full access, lifetime updates, certificate issuance, and ongoing support are all included upfront with zero recurring costs. Secure Payment Options You Can Trust
We accept all major payment methods including Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. All transactions are processed through a secure, encrypted gateway to protect your financial information and provide peace of mind. 100% Risk-Free Learning Guarantee
We stand behind the value of this course with an ironclad “satisfied or refunded” promise. If at any point you decide this isn't delivering the clarity, confidence, and career ROI you expected, simply request a full refund. There are no questions, no time limits, and no strings attached-your investment is completely protected. Instant Confirmation, Seamless Onboarding
Immediately after enrollment, you'll receive a confirmation email with your transaction details. Your access credentials and login instructions will be sent separately once your course materials are prepared, ensuring a smooth and secure onboarding experience. “Will This Work For Me?” – We’ve Got You Covered
Whether you're a platform engineer securing production clusters, a DevOps lead implementing zero-trust policies, or a security architect auditing compliance frameworks, this course is built for real roles with real responsibilities. Past participants include senior SREs at Fortune 500 companies, cloud consultants at global MSPs, and security leads at regulated financial institutions-all of whom applied these principles directly to prevent breaches, pass audits, and lead transformation initiatives. - DevOps Engineer, TechScale Inc.: “Within three days of starting, I redesigned our pod security policies and blocked a critical privilege escalation path my team had overlooked for months.”
- Security Architect, GlobalBank PLC.: “I used the audit templates from Module 7 to streamline our SOC-2 compliance process and cut assessment time by 40%.”
- Platform Lead, HealthCloud Systems.: “The network policy lab helped me isolate a misconfigured namespace that was exposing internal APIs to untrusted services.”
This Works Even If…
You’ve struggled with fragmented documentation, you’re transitioning from traditional security roles, your cluster is already in production, or you’ve never passed a Kubernetes audit successfully before. This course is engineered for transformation, not just theory. It meets you exactly where you are and guides you step-by-step to security mastery-regardless of your starting point. Your Success Is Guaranteed-That’s the Difference
We reverse the risk entirely. You don’t gamble your time or money. You invest in proven methodology, timeless principles, and actionable frameworks that deliver measurable outcomes. This course doesn’t just teach Kubernetes security-it rewires how you think about it, empowering you to act with precision, speed, and authority.
EXTENSIVE & DETAILED COURSE CURRICULUM
Module 1: Foundations of Kubernetes Security - Introduction to containerized infrastructure and shared responsibility models
- Understanding the attack surface of Kubernetes environments
- Core components of the Kubernetes control plane and their security implications
- Data plane vs control plane security boundaries
- Threat modeling using STRIDE framework for Kubernetes
- Common misconfigurations leading to cluster compromise
- Principle of least privilege in container orchestration
- Role-based access control fundamentals in cluster security
- Secure design patterns for multi-tenant clusters
- Zero-trust architecture applied to Kubernetes environments
- Security posture assessment baseline techniques
- Mapping compliance requirements to Kubernetes configurations
Module 2: Identity, Authentication & Access Control - X.509 certificates for API server authentication
- Configuring external identity providers with OpenID Connect
- Integrating LDAP and Active Directory with Kubernetes RBAC
- Service account token volume projection setup
- Best practices for managing kubeconfig files securely
- Securing kubelet authentication and authorization
- Using webhook token authentication for custom identity sources
- Implementing fine-grained permissions with Role and ClusterRole
- Differentiating between RBAC, ABAC, and Node authorization modes
- Audit logging configuration for access monitoring
- Token expiration and rotation strategies
- Securing etcd with TLS and access controls
- Creating least-privilege policies for development teams
Module 3: Secure Configuration & Hardening - Applying CIS Kubernetes Benchmark standards
- Hardening control plane components (API server, scheduler, controller manager)
- Disabling dangerous admission controllers and enabling secure defaults
- Configuring secure defaults for kubelet settings
- Protecting worker nodes with kernel-level safeguards
- Disabling anonymous access and unsecured ports
- Enabling PodSecurity admission controls
- Migrating from deprecated PodSecurityPolicy to modern alternatives
- Setting up secure defaults in kube-proxy and cloud providers
- Locking down pod permissions with restricted security contexts
- Preventing hostPath and hostNetwork abuse
- Validating runtime configurations with Kube-bench
- Automating configuration checks with continuous scanning tools
Module 4: Network Security & Micro-Segmentation - Understanding Kubernetes networking model and CNI plugins
- Designing secure network policies for namespace isolation
- Default-deny policy patterns across environments
- Inter-pod communication controls using NetworkPolicy resources
- Enforcing egress restrictions for outbound traffic
- Implementing service mesh sidecars for mTLS encryption
- Securing ingress controllers against common attacks
- Protecting external access points with WAF integration
- Leveraging Istio authorization policies for granular control
- Using Calico and Cilium for advanced policy enforcement
- Monitoring lateral movement attempts using flow logs
- Encrypting cluster traffic with IPsec and WireGuard
- Segmenting management traffic from data plane operations
Module 5: Pod & Container Runtime Security - Applying secure context constraints at pod and container level
- Running containers as non-root users only
- Immutable filesystems and read-only root filesystems
- Limiting capabilities using Linux capability drops
- Seccomp, AppArmor, and SELinux integration in Kubernetes
- Writing custom seccomp profiles to restrict syscalls
- Deploying runtime security agents for behavioral monitoring
- Detecting shell execution and reverse connections in pods
- Blocking suspicious container entrypoints and command arguments
- Monitoring for container breakout attempts
- Using gVisor and Kata Containers for sandboxed workloads
- Implementing sandboxed environments for untrusted code
- Validating container image signatures before deployment
Module 6: Image Supply Chain & Registry Security - Image provenance with cosign and sigstore
- Signing and verifying container images using public key cryptography
- Setting up a private container registry with secure access
- Enforcing image repository access controls and audit trails
- Automating vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating Trivy, Grype, and Snyk into build workflows
- Preventing deployment of images with critical CVEs
- Generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for compliance
- Using Open Policy Agent (OPA) to enforce image policies
- Implementing admission controllers with Kyverno and Gatekeeper
- Chaining policies across multiple registries
- Hardening registry TLS and authentication mechanisms
- Managing secret rotation for registry credentials
Module 7: Secrets Management & Encryption - Securing Kubernetes Secrets object lifecycle
- Encrypting Secrets at rest using KMS providers
- Configuring envelope encryption with AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS
- Rotating encryption keys according to best practices
- Using external secret managers (External Secrets Operator)
- Injecting secrets securely using HashiCorp Vault integration
- Dynamic secret generation for database credentials
- Preventing secrets leakage through logs or error messages
- Validating secrets access patterns with audit logs
- Controlling secret propagation in Helm charts
- Scanning manifests for hardcoded secrets
- Automating detection of leaked credentials in Git repositories
- Using GitOps with sealed secrets and policy enforcement
Module 8: Policy as Code & Governance Automation - Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
Module 1: Foundations of Kubernetes Security - Introduction to containerized infrastructure and shared responsibility models
- Understanding the attack surface of Kubernetes environments
- Core components of the Kubernetes control plane and their security implications
- Data plane vs control plane security boundaries
- Threat modeling using STRIDE framework for Kubernetes
- Common misconfigurations leading to cluster compromise
- Principle of least privilege in container orchestration
- Role-based access control fundamentals in cluster security
- Secure design patterns for multi-tenant clusters
- Zero-trust architecture applied to Kubernetes environments
- Security posture assessment baseline techniques
- Mapping compliance requirements to Kubernetes configurations
Module 2: Identity, Authentication & Access Control - X.509 certificates for API server authentication
- Configuring external identity providers with OpenID Connect
- Integrating LDAP and Active Directory with Kubernetes RBAC
- Service account token volume projection setup
- Best practices for managing kubeconfig files securely
- Securing kubelet authentication and authorization
- Using webhook token authentication for custom identity sources
- Implementing fine-grained permissions with Role and ClusterRole
- Differentiating between RBAC, ABAC, and Node authorization modes
- Audit logging configuration for access monitoring
- Token expiration and rotation strategies
- Securing etcd with TLS and access controls
- Creating least-privilege policies for development teams
Module 3: Secure Configuration & Hardening - Applying CIS Kubernetes Benchmark standards
- Hardening control plane components (API server, scheduler, controller manager)
- Disabling dangerous admission controllers and enabling secure defaults
- Configuring secure defaults for kubelet settings
- Protecting worker nodes with kernel-level safeguards
- Disabling anonymous access and unsecured ports
- Enabling PodSecurity admission controls
- Migrating from deprecated PodSecurityPolicy to modern alternatives
- Setting up secure defaults in kube-proxy and cloud providers
- Locking down pod permissions with restricted security contexts
- Preventing hostPath and hostNetwork abuse
- Validating runtime configurations with Kube-bench
- Automating configuration checks with continuous scanning tools
Module 4: Network Security & Micro-Segmentation - Understanding Kubernetes networking model and CNI plugins
- Designing secure network policies for namespace isolation
- Default-deny policy patterns across environments
- Inter-pod communication controls using NetworkPolicy resources
- Enforcing egress restrictions for outbound traffic
- Implementing service mesh sidecars for mTLS encryption
- Securing ingress controllers against common attacks
- Protecting external access points with WAF integration
- Leveraging Istio authorization policies for granular control
- Using Calico and Cilium for advanced policy enforcement
- Monitoring lateral movement attempts using flow logs
- Encrypting cluster traffic with IPsec and WireGuard
- Segmenting management traffic from data plane operations
Module 5: Pod & Container Runtime Security - Applying secure context constraints at pod and container level
- Running containers as non-root users only
- Immutable filesystems and read-only root filesystems
- Limiting capabilities using Linux capability drops
- Seccomp, AppArmor, and SELinux integration in Kubernetes
- Writing custom seccomp profiles to restrict syscalls
- Deploying runtime security agents for behavioral monitoring
- Detecting shell execution and reverse connections in pods
- Blocking suspicious container entrypoints and command arguments
- Monitoring for container breakout attempts
- Using gVisor and Kata Containers for sandboxed workloads
- Implementing sandboxed environments for untrusted code
- Validating container image signatures before deployment
Module 6: Image Supply Chain & Registry Security - Image provenance with cosign and sigstore
- Signing and verifying container images using public key cryptography
- Setting up a private container registry with secure access
- Enforcing image repository access controls and audit trails
- Automating vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating Trivy, Grype, and Snyk into build workflows
- Preventing deployment of images with critical CVEs
- Generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for compliance
- Using Open Policy Agent (OPA) to enforce image policies
- Implementing admission controllers with Kyverno and Gatekeeper
- Chaining policies across multiple registries
- Hardening registry TLS and authentication mechanisms
- Managing secret rotation for registry credentials
Module 7: Secrets Management & Encryption - Securing Kubernetes Secrets object lifecycle
- Encrypting Secrets at rest using KMS providers
- Configuring envelope encryption with AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS
- Rotating encryption keys according to best practices
- Using external secret managers (External Secrets Operator)
- Injecting secrets securely using HashiCorp Vault integration
- Dynamic secret generation for database credentials
- Preventing secrets leakage through logs or error messages
- Validating secrets access patterns with audit logs
- Controlling secret propagation in Helm charts
- Scanning manifests for hardcoded secrets
- Automating detection of leaked credentials in Git repositories
- Using GitOps with sealed secrets and policy enforcement
Module 8: Policy as Code & Governance Automation - Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- X.509 certificates for API server authentication
- Configuring external identity providers with OpenID Connect
- Integrating LDAP and Active Directory with Kubernetes RBAC
- Service account token volume projection setup
- Best practices for managing kubeconfig files securely
- Securing kubelet authentication and authorization
- Using webhook token authentication for custom identity sources
- Implementing fine-grained permissions with Role and ClusterRole
- Differentiating between RBAC, ABAC, and Node authorization modes
- Audit logging configuration for access monitoring
- Token expiration and rotation strategies
- Securing etcd with TLS and access controls
- Creating least-privilege policies for development teams
Module 3: Secure Configuration & Hardening - Applying CIS Kubernetes Benchmark standards
- Hardening control plane components (API server, scheduler, controller manager)
- Disabling dangerous admission controllers and enabling secure defaults
- Configuring secure defaults for kubelet settings
- Protecting worker nodes with kernel-level safeguards
- Disabling anonymous access and unsecured ports
- Enabling PodSecurity admission controls
- Migrating from deprecated PodSecurityPolicy to modern alternatives
- Setting up secure defaults in kube-proxy and cloud providers
- Locking down pod permissions with restricted security contexts
- Preventing hostPath and hostNetwork abuse
- Validating runtime configurations with Kube-bench
- Automating configuration checks with continuous scanning tools
Module 4: Network Security & Micro-Segmentation - Understanding Kubernetes networking model and CNI plugins
- Designing secure network policies for namespace isolation
- Default-deny policy patterns across environments
- Inter-pod communication controls using NetworkPolicy resources
- Enforcing egress restrictions for outbound traffic
- Implementing service mesh sidecars for mTLS encryption
- Securing ingress controllers against common attacks
- Protecting external access points with WAF integration
- Leveraging Istio authorization policies for granular control
- Using Calico and Cilium for advanced policy enforcement
- Monitoring lateral movement attempts using flow logs
- Encrypting cluster traffic with IPsec and WireGuard
- Segmenting management traffic from data plane operations
Module 5: Pod & Container Runtime Security - Applying secure context constraints at pod and container level
- Running containers as non-root users only
- Immutable filesystems and read-only root filesystems
- Limiting capabilities using Linux capability drops
- Seccomp, AppArmor, and SELinux integration in Kubernetes
- Writing custom seccomp profiles to restrict syscalls
- Deploying runtime security agents for behavioral monitoring
- Detecting shell execution and reverse connections in pods
- Blocking suspicious container entrypoints and command arguments
- Monitoring for container breakout attempts
- Using gVisor and Kata Containers for sandboxed workloads
- Implementing sandboxed environments for untrusted code
- Validating container image signatures before deployment
Module 6: Image Supply Chain & Registry Security - Image provenance with cosign and sigstore
- Signing and verifying container images using public key cryptography
- Setting up a private container registry with secure access
- Enforcing image repository access controls and audit trails
- Automating vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating Trivy, Grype, and Snyk into build workflows
- Preventing deployment of images with critical CVEs
- Generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for compliance
- Using Open Policy Agent (OPA) to enforce image policies
- Implementing admission controllers with Kyverno and Gatekeeper
- Chaining policies across multiple registries
- Hardening registry TLS and authentication mechanisms
- Managing secret rotation for registry credentials
Module 7: Secrets Management & Encryption - Securing Kubernetes Secrets object lifecycle
- Encrypting Secrets at rest using KMS providers
- Configuring envelope encryption with AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS
- Rotating encryption keys according to best practices
- Using external secret managers (External Secrets Operator)
- Injecting secrets securely using HashiCorp Vault integration
- Dynamic secret generation for database credentials
- Preventing secrets leakage through logs or error messages
- Validating secrets access patterns with audit logs
- Controlling secret propagation in Helm charts
- Scanning manifests for hardcoded secrets
- Automating detection of leaked credentials in Git repositories
- Using GitOps with sealed secrets and policy enforcement
Module 8: Policy as Code & Governance Automation - Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Understanding Kubernetes networking model and CNI plugins
- Designing secure network policies for namespace isolation
- Default-deny policy patterns across environments
- Inter-pod communication controls using NetworkPolicy resources
- Enforcing egress restrictions for outbound traffic
- Implementing service mesh sidecars for mTLS encryption
- Securing ingress controllers against common attacks
- Protecting external access points with WAF integration
- Leveraging Istio authorization policies for granular control
- Using Calico and Cilium for advanced policy enforcement
- Monitoring lateral movement attempts using flow logs
- Encrypting cluster traffic with IPsec and WireGuard
- Segmenting management traffic from data plane operations
Module 5: Pod & Container Runtime Security - Applying secure context constraints at pod and container level
- Running containers as non-root users only
- Immutable filesystems and read-only root filesystems
- Limiting capabilities using Linux capability drops
- Seccomp, AppArmor, and SELinux integration in Kubernetes
- Writing custom seccomp profiles to restrict syscalls
- Deploying runtime security agents for behavioral monitoring
- Detecting shell execution and reverse connections in pods
- Blocking suspicious container entrypoints and command arguments
- Monitoring for container breakout attempts
- Using gVisor and Kata Containers for sandboxed workloads
- Implementing sandboxed environments for untrusted code
- Validating container image signatures before deployment
Module 6: Image Supply Chain & Registry Security - Image provenance with cosign and sigstore
- Signing and verifying container images using public key cryptography
- Setting up a private container registry with secure access
- Enforcing image repository access controls and audit trails
- Automating vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating Trivy, Grype, and Snyk into build workflows
- Preventing deployment of images with critical CVEs
- Generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for compliance
- Using Open Policy Agent (OPA) to enforce image policies
- Implementing admission controllers with Kyverno and Gatekeeper
- Chaining policies across multiple registries
- Hardening registry TLS and authentication mechanisms
- Managing secret rotation for registry credentials
Module 7: Secrets Management & Encryption - Securing Kubernetes Secrets object lifecycle
- Encrypting Secrets at rest using KMS providers
- Configuring envelope encryption with AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS
- Rotating encryption keys according to best practices
- Using external secret managers (External Secrets Operator)
- Injecting secrets securely using HashiCorp Vault integration
- Dynamic secret generation for database credentials
- Preventing secrets leakage through logs or error messages
- Validating secrets access patterns with audit logs
- Controlling secret propagation in Helm charts
- Scanning manifests for hardcoded secrets
- Automating detection of leaked credentials in Git repositories
- Using GitOps with sealed secrets and policy enforcement
Module 8: Policy as Code & Governance Automation - Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Image provenance with cosign and sigstore
- Signing and verifying container images using public key cryptography
- Setting up a private container registry with secure access
- Enforcing image repository access controls and audit trails
- Automating vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating Trivy, Grype, and Snyk into build workflows
- Preventing deployment of images with critical CVEs
- Generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for compliance
- Using Open Policy Agent (OPA) to enforce image policies
- Implementing admission controllers with Kyverno and Gatekeeper
- Chaining policies across multiple registries
- Hardening registry TLS and authentication mechanisms
- Managing secret rotation for registry credentials
Module 7: Secrets Management & Encryption - Securing Kubernetes Secrets object lifecycle
- Encrypting Secrets at rest using KMS providers
- Configuring envelope encryption with AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS
- Rotating encryption keys according to best practices
- Using external secret managers (External Secrets Operator)
- Injecting secrets securely using HashiCorp Vault integration
- Dynamic secret generation for database credentials
- Preventing secrets leakage through logs or error messages
- Validating secrets access patterns with audit logs
- Controlling secret propagation in Helm charts
- Scanning manifests for hardcoded secrets
- Automating detection of leaked credentials in Git repositories
- Using GitOps with sealed secrets and policy enforcement
Module 8: Policy as Code & Governance Automation - Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Introduction to Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Rego syntax
- Deploying OPA as an admission controller with kube-mgmt
- Creating policies to enforce resource naming conventions
- Blocking deployments without labels or owners
- Validating container resource limits and requests
- Enforcing image registry whitelists
- Building custom policies for regulatory compliance
- Integrating Gatekeeper for cluster-wide constraint management
- Using Constraint Templates for reusable policy logic
- Implementing Kyverno policies for native Kubernetes experience
- Chaining multiple policies across environments
- Reporting policy violations via alerting integrations
- Auditing policy effectiveness over time
Module 9: Monitoring, Logging & Threat Detection - Designing secure logging architecture for Kubernetes
- Protecting log integrity and preventing tampering
- Forwarding logs to SIEM systems securely
- Monitoring API server audit logs for suspicious activity
- Detecting privilege escalations using custom detection rules
- Identifying service account abuse and token exfiltration
- Tracking anomalous pod creation patterns
- Using Falco for runtime behavioral anomaly detection
- Writing Falco rules to catch crypto mining or data exfiltration
- Integrating Wazuh for endpoint detection and response
- Setting up alerts for unauthorized configmap changes
- Monitoring kubelet and container runtime health
- Correlating events across control plane and data plane
- Creating dashboard visualizations for security posture
Module 10: Cluster Hardening in Production Environments - Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Designing highly available and secure control planes
- Separating workload types using node taints and tolerations
- Dedicated infra nodes for system components
- Isolating sensitive workloads with dedicated clusters
- Enabling audit logging with long-term retention
- Protecting etcd backups with encryption and access control
- Securing kubeconfig distribution using short-lived tokens
- Implementing break-glass procedures for emergency access
- Using just-in-time access models with PAM integration
- Hardening node OS with CIS benchmarks and kernel tuning
- Automating node patching and reboot workflows
- Validating cluster state drift detection
Module 11: Security in CI/CD and GitOps Workflows - Securing Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI pipelines
- Preventing credential leakage in pipeline logs
- Using ephemeral builders with minimal privileges
- Validating manifests before deployment
- Implementing pull request scanning with policy gates
- Integrating security scanning early in the SDLC
- Using Argo CD securely with SSO and RBAC
- Protecting Git repositories with branch protection rules
- Enabling signed commits and verified deployments
- Preventing drift using declarative GitOps principles
- Automating rollback procedures for compromised releases
- Enforcing approval workflows for production changes
- Monitoring deployment frequency and change velocity
Module 12: Compliance, Auditing & Certification Readiness - Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Mapping Kubernetes configurations to NIST SP 800-190
- Aligning with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2 requirements
- Preparing for Kubernetes audits with evidence collection
- Documenting access controls and change management
- Running automated compliance checks with kube-hunter
- Using kubeaudit for real-time security status
- Generating audit-ready reports for stakeholders
- Establishing incident response playbooks
- Classifying data stored in Kubernetes environments
- Defining retention policies for logs and events
- Conducting tabletop exercises for breach scenarios
- Vendor risk assessment for third-party operators and controllers
- Creating a security runbook for operations teams
Module 13: Advanced Threats & Attack Scenarios - Simulating real-world attacks to test defenses
- Defending against supply chain poisoning via malicious images
- Preventing dependency confusion attacks in build environments
- Blocking cryptojacking in containerized environments
- Identifying misconfigured Helm charts with automated scanners
- Protecting against Kubernetes dashboard compromises
- Responding to kubeconfig theft and lateral movement
- Detecting API server proxy abuse for data exfiltration
- Preventing escalation via PodExec commands
- Stopping credential theft from mounted service account tokens
- Blocking unauthorized port forwarding sessions
- Recognizing signs of cluster takeover and persistence
- Using red teaming techniques to improve resilience
Module 14: Real-World Implementation Projects - Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations
Module 15: Certification Preparation & Career Advancement - Reviewing key concepts for CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist)
- Difference between CKA and CKS exam objectives
- Practicing hands-on scenario-based problem solving
- Time management strategies for certification exams
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Using the official curriculum checklist effectively
- Preparing a personal study plan with milestones
- Leveraging community resources and practice environments
- Building a portfolio of security implementations
- Updating LinkedIn and resume with new competencies
- Positioning yourself for security-focused DevOps roles
- Networking with Kubernetes security professionals
- Transitioning into cloud security architecture roles
- Using your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service as a career catalyst
- Project: Build a secure staging cluster from scratch
- Configure RBAC for dev, test, and prod roles
- Implement default-deny network policies
- Integrate external secrets management with Vault
- Set up image signing and verification pipeline
- Deploy policy enforcement with Kyverno or Gatekeeper
- Enable audit logging and forward to Logstash
- Install Falco and create custom detection rules
- Run compliance scan using kube-bench and generate report
- Document security architecture and controls
- Present findings and recommendations in audit-ready format
- Receive expert feedback on your implementation
- Iterate based on best practice recommendations