Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Online Course

Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Online Course

Course Overview

This advanced course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to secure Kubernetes clusters and the applications they host. Through hands-on demonstrations and expert instruction, you’ll learn both foundational and advanced Kubernetes security concepts. The course covers cluster setup security, ingress protection, RBAC (Role-Based Access Control), runtime and supply chain security, system hardening, and much more.

By the end of this training, you’ll be prepared to confidently manage and secure Kubernetes environments and pass the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam.

What You’ll Learn?

• Set up secure Kubernetes clusters with best practices
• Configure NetworkPolicies to manage ingress and egress traffic
• Implement RBAC for granular access control
• Harden cluster components using CIS Benchmarks
• Perform static analysis with tools like Kubesec and Trivy
• Detect suspicious behavior using Falco
• Secure the container supply chain with vulnerability scanning
• Strengthen kernel-level security using AppArmor and Seccomp

Key Benefits:

• Deep Kubernetes Security Expertise: Build advanced knowledge specific to securing Kubernetes infrastructure and workloads
• Hands-On Tools: Use industry-standard tools like Kubesec, Trivy, and Falco to analyze, monitor, and protect your environment
• Real-World Application: Learn through practical demonstrations and real-world security scenarios
• Certification-Ready: Get fully prepared to pass the CKS exam with confidence

Skills You’ll Need:

• To get the most from this course, you should have:
• A solid understanding of Kubernetes concepts, including cluster architecture and container orchestration
• Familiarity with networking, including ingress/egress rules and policies
• Basic security knowledge such as RBAC, service accounts, and secure image practices
• Linux administration skills for troubleshooting, system management, and security hardening

Knowledge You’ll Gain:

• Mastery of Kubernetes security architecture
• Ability to enforce network restrictions using policies
• Hands-on experience with RBAC and secure access control
• Proficiency in identifying vulnerabilities and securing container images
• Understanding of runtime security and incident detection using Falco
• Knowledge of supply chain security, including static analysis and scanning
• Techniques for system-level hardening with AppArmor, Seccomp, and other tools

Who Should Enroll?

• Kubernetes Administrators who want to deepen their security expertise
• Security Engineers working with cloud-native or containerized environments
• IT Professionals preparing for the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) certification

Prerequisites:

• Before enrolling, learners should have:
• Working knowledge of Kubernetes administration
• Familiarity with containers and orchestration concepts

Course Outline

The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Online Course covers the following topics - 

Domain 1. Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) Overview

• Key exam objectives and preparation tips.

Domain 2. Create Kubernetes Cluster (FREE CHAPTER)

• Cluster creation and troubleshooting common errors.

Domain 3. Network Security Policies

• Restrict cluster-level access with default deny policies, ingress, and egress rules.

Domain 4. Minimize GUI Access

• Install and secure the Kubernetes Dashboard using RBAC.

Domain 5. Secure Ingress Objects

• Configure and secure ingress objects with appropriate controls.

Domain 6. Node Metadata Protection

• Use NetworkPolicies to protect sensitive node metadata.

Domain 7. CIS Benchmark Security Configuration

• Use kube-bench to review and enhance security configurations.

Domain 8. Verify Platform Binaries

• Ensure binary integrity before deployment.

Domain 9. RBAC Implementation

• Role, RoleBinding, and ClusterRole management for fine-grained access control.

Domain 10. Service Account Security

• Limit service account permissions and disable unnecessary mounts.

Domain 11. API Access Restriction

• Manage anonymous access and secure API requests.

Domain 12. Kubernetes Upgrade Process

• Upgrade clusters while maintaining security best practices.

Domain 13. Manage Kubernetes Secrets

• Secure secrets in Docker and ETCD with encryption.

Domain 14. Container Runtime Sandboxes

• Implement runtime sandboxes using RuntimeClasses.

Domain 15. OS-Level Security Domains

• Enforce security contexts, prevent privilege escalation, and use PodSecurityPolicies.

Domain 16. Secure Communication with mTLS

• Configure mutual TLS with sidecar proxies.

Domain 17. Open Policy Agent (OPA)

• Enforce policies with OPA and Gatekeeper.

Domain 18. Supply Chain Security: Image Footprint and Analysis

• Harden images and perform vulnerability scans using Trivy and OPA Conftest.

Domain 19. Behavioral Analytics

• Monitor container behavior with tools like Strace and Falco.

Domain 20. Runtime Security

• Enforce container immutability and implement comprehensive audit logging.

Domain 21. Kernel Hardening

• Secure the kernel using AppArmor and Seccomp profiles.