50 Useful Kubernetes Tutorials for IT Professionals

Containers, Orchestration & Security, Dev & DevOps Knowledge, Uncategorized
23 Min Read •

Technologies like Docker have made it easier to continuously deploy applications across any number of host servers. They eliminate the need for having your own virtual machine because all the code and configuration settings you need to run your app is packaged into one container.

Google created Kubernetes to automate a number of tasks and processes involved in managing containerized apps. You can use Kubernetes to automatically deploy, scale, and decommission containerized applications. Of course, Kubernetes is not a silver bullet, and Kubernetes deployments have opened up a new set of infrastructure security concerns for DevOps teams. That’s why it’s important to be well versed in how to work with Kubernetes, as well as the tactics and solutions you can employ to create a more secure environment. For instance, Threat Stack now provides security and IT leaders transitioning to container-based infrastructure with the expertise and enhanced security visibility necessary to effectively manage the addition of container-based cloud environments through our Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform® and Threat Stack Cloud SecOps Program℠.

If you are planning to take a systematic approach to learning Kubernetes, then you should be on the lookout for quality tutorials. The good news is that a lot of resources are available online. There are also more structured courses that sometimes offer certification — if you’re willing to pay, that is. Read more “50 Useful Kubernetes Tutorials for IT Professionals”

Why Kubernetes is Not a Silver Bullet

Containers, Orchestration & Security, Security Research & Strategy
3 Min Read •

Container adoption is on a meteoric rise. Gartner estimates that 50 percent of companies will use container technology by 2020, up from less than 20 percent in 2017. It’s not hard to see why — containers’ offer greater DevOps flexibility along with an optimized build/deployment pipeline.

The surge in container adoption is the driving force behind a new phenomenon in developer circles that we at Threat Stack lovingly refer to as “Kubernetes FOMO.” Eager to get on board with the most popular orchestration platform around, organizations are jumping on the Kubernetes bandwagon.

And why not? Kubernetes speeds container deployment and enables the management of multi-container clusters at scale. It allows for continuous integration and delivery; handles networking, service discovery, and storage; and has the ability to do all that in multi-cloud environments.  

Some would call Kubernetes a silver bullet in the world of container deployment and management, but that doesn’t mean it comes without security concerns. In this post, we’ll discuss a few things to watch out for if you’re considering a move to Kubernetes, as well as some tips on ensuring that your infrastructure remains secure during a transition. Read more “Why Kubernetes is Not a Silver Bullet”

Infrastructure in Transition: Securing Containers

Containers, Orchestration & Security, Security Research & Strategy
3 Min Read •

Organizations are migrating from virtual server workloads to containers at a frenzied pace, buying into the increasingly popular technology and taking advantage of containers’ many benefits in terms of agility. The application container market is set to explode, according to 451 Research: Annual revenue is expected to increase by 400% over a period of five years, growing from $749 million in 2016 to more than $3.4 billion by 2021.

It’s not hard to see why. Containers are simple to deploy and provide users with greater operational flexibility and compute density, resulting in an optimized build pipeline. Turning to a container orchestration platform, such as Kubernetes, removes an additional layer of operational complexity for even greater ease of deployment and management.

However, a transition in infrastructure is never simple, and along with the advantages come new security challenges. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the risks you should consider before diving headfirst into a container environment, as well as some solutions for mitigating them. Read more “Infrastructure in Transition: Securing Containers”

Q&A With Pat Cable: How Threat Stack Secures Evolving Infrastructure

Containers, Orchestration & Security, Security Research & Strategy
4 Min Read •

With the popularity of container environments on the rise, we’ve seen many Threat Stack customers undergoing infrastructure transitions of late. Whether they’re deploying containers for the first time or moving to container orchestration platforms, the shift is one that requires careful consideration when it comes to security. Often, however, organizations just don’t know where to begin in terms of integrating security with their evolving infrastructure.

Recently, I sat down with Pat Cable, Threat Stack’s Senior Infrastructure Security Engineer, to get his point of view on the challenges posed by evolving infrastructure and how Threat Stack can help ensure a secure transition. Read more “Q&A With Pat Cable: How Threat Stack Secures Evolving Infrastructure”