The 4C's of Cloud Native Security
Kubernetes security follows a layered approach: Cloud, Cluster, Container, and Code. Each layer builds on the previous, creating defense in depth.
Cloud Native Security Layers
Cloud
Infrastructure security
Cluster
API server, etcd, nodes
Container
Image & runtime security
Code
Application security
Security Alert
94% of organizations experienced a Kubernetes security incident. Default configurations are often insecure—explicit hardening is required.
Essential Security Controls
Pod Security Standards
- runAsNonRoot: true - Never run as root user
- readOnlyRootFilesystem: true - Immutable container
- allowPrivilegeEscalation: false - Block escalation
- capabilities.drop: ["ALL"] - Minimal privileges
Insecure Defaults
Hardened Configuration
Security Checklist
Kubernetes Security Requirements
Cluster Level
Workload Level
Image Level
Runtime
RBAC Best Practice
Implement least privilege for all service accounts. Use namespace-scoped roles, audit permissions regularly, and never use cluster-admin for applications.
Key Recommendation
Start with Pod Security Standards at the "Restricted" level. This single control prevents most common container security issues.
Conclusion
Kubernetes security requires defense in depth across all layers. Defaults are insecure—explicit configuration is essential for production environments.
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Written by
Asfaleia Team
Chief Security Researcher
Cloud security specialist with expertise in Kubernetes and container orchestration.