Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist
The DevOps – Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) course is designed for IT professionals, Kubernetes administrators, and DevOps engineers aiming to specialize in securing Kubernetes environments.
- CKS (CNCF)
- Classroom · Live Online · One-on-One
Course overview
The CKS course focuses on securing Kubernetes clusters at every layer – from application and cluster security to runtime threats and vulnerability management. Participants will learn to implement security controls, audit cluster activities, and respond to incidents, ensuring the integrity and safety of Kubernetes workloads in production environments.
- Develop expertise in securing Kubernetes clusters and applications.
- Master container runtime security and incident response strategies.
- Hands-on experience with Kubernetes security tools and techniques.
What you'll be able to do
- Gain advanced knowledge of Kubernetes security practices.
- Secure Kubernetes clusters and workloads against vulnerabilities and attacks.
- Implement network policies and runtime security tools.
- Manage secrets and enforce compliance standards in Kubernetes environments.
- Develop incident response strategies for compromised clusters.
- Be fully prepared to pass the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam.
Curriculum
6 modules, each with hands-on lab work
01 Kubernetes Security Fundamentals
- Overview of Kubernetes security architecture
- Kubernetes API security and best practices
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) essentials
02 Cluster Setup and Hardening
- Securing kube-apiserver and control plane components
- Encrypting data at rest and in transit
- CIS Kubernetes benchmark and hardening practices
03 Network Security and Policies
- Configuring network policies for pod communication
- Implementing service mesh for enhanced security
- Controlling ingress and egress traffic
04 Application Security and Vulnerability Management
- Scanning container images for vulnerabilities
- Managing secrets securely with Kubernetes
- Software supply chain security best practices
05 Runtime Security and Incident Response
- Monitoring container behavior and detecting anomalies
- Implementing Falco for runtime threat detection
- Incident response and forensics in Kubernetes environments
06 Compliance, Auditing, and Monitoring
- Auditing cluster activities and implementing logging
- Ensuring compliance with industry standards
- Monitoring with Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack
How you'll learn
Hands-on labs
Around 90% of class time is practical work on real systems.
Real-world scenarios
Case studies and troubleshooting tasks modelled on real jobs.
Exam preparation
Exam-style tasks and guidance for the certification.
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with Kubernetes concepts, cluster management, and containerization.
- Kubernetes administration experience (CKA certification or equivalent knowledge recommended).
- While not mandatory, the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification is highly recommended.
Not there yet? Start with DevOps Mastery: Build. Automate. Deploy.
Training options
Individual
Join a public batch: classroom, live online or one-on-one.
Group
Private batch for your friends, classmates or team.
Corporate batch
Private batch for your organisation's staff.
Training methods
Classroom, live virtual, one-on-one and flip class.
Upcoming batches
No batch scheduled yet
Leave your details and we'll tell you when the next batch opens, or ask about a private group batch.
Career opportunities
Roles this course prepares you for:
- Kubernetes Security Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer
- Platform Security Architect
- DevOps Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Frequently asked questions
Is CKA certification required for this course?
While not mandatory, CKA certification or equivalent experience is highly recommended for this course.
Does this course cover compliance and auditing?
es, the course addresses auditing, logging, and ensuring compliance with security standards.
How much practical work is involved?
The course is highly practical, with over 70% of the content dedicated to hands-on labs and real-world security scenarios.
How difficult is the CKS exam?
The CKS exam is hands-on and performance-based, requiring a solid understanding of Kubernetes security practices and incident response techniques.
What security tools will I work with?
You will work with tools like Falco, Trivy, kube-bench, kube-hunter, and AppArmor.
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