Deceptive stability in Kubernetes: Why a second look is necessary

Kubernetes has established itself worldwide as the leading platform for orchestrating containerised applications. It is designed to simplify the deployment and management of applications, increase portability and maximise efficiency and scalability through automation. Developers can focus more on development, as Kubernetes or platform engineers automate recurring tasks, which can also enable cost savings.

Complexity in Kubernetes: More than just the cluster

In practice, however, Kubernetes often proves to be more demanding than expected. The collaboration between different teams and tools for infrastructure, platform services and applications significantly increases operational complexity. Numerous interfaces, diverse components and add-ons as well as their integration into multi-level processes and governance structures make management more difficult. The use of shared resources in particular presents DevOps and platform engineers with the challenge of knowing and consistently applying best practices.

As the size of a Kubernetes cluster increases, so does the administrative complexity. Small errors can add up to big problems. For platform engineering teams, this means constantly ensuring optimal configurations and designing the infrastructure efficiently. Misconfigurations and lack of maintenance not only lead to technical difficulties, but can also cause significant costs - from unnecessary resource consumption to costly downtime and security-related incidents. A survey by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) confirms these challenges and emphasises the need for continuous optimisation to ensure the best possible performance and highest security standards.

From resource bottlenecks to security risks: The biggest Kubernetes challenges

The flexibility and performance of Kubernetes allow for an almost unlimited number of configuration options. However, this diversity also brings with it considerable challenges that can have a negative impact on stability, security and costs. Problems often occur not because of gross errors, but due to subtle misconfigurations or the ignorance or non-application of best practices.

One key problem area is resource utilisation. If CPU and memory capacities are not configured correctly, significant performance problems can arise. Incorrectly set pod requests and limits either lead to resource bottlenecks, where applications do not receive sufficient performance, or to overloaded nodes that work inefficiently. In both cases, this results in increased operating costs and reduced efficiency of the IT infrastructure.

Cluster design poses a further challenge. A poorly designed cluster architecture can lead to inefficient resource utilisation, lack of scalability and increased downtime. A lack of fail-safe design patterns or ignoring best practices leads to sub-optimal operating conditions. For example, namespace strategies that are not optimally utilised can make it difficult to separate and secure applications, leading to expensive and time-consuming problems in an emergency.

Security gaps represent a particularly critical risk. Misconfigurations in Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanisms can lead to users or services having excessive authorisations. Failure to observe the "least privilege" principle potentially gives attackers access to sensitive data and critical systems. Inadequate network policies can also jeopardise the security of the cluster by enabling unwanted communication channels.

Errors within the pipeline configuration can lead to faulty applications entering production or downtime. For example, misbehaviour in the deployment pipeline can cause untested code to go live, resulting in security risks and operational disruptions.

Network problems are also common. Incorrect settings in Container Network Interface (CNI) plugins can affect or completely disrupt communication between pods. A misconfigured network plugin causes microservices to stop communicating with each other or the entire connectivity to the cluster to fail. This affects critical workloads and can lead to significant downtime and financial losses.

Why internal audits are not enough: Overcoming operational blindness

An unbiased view is crucial for objectivity and best practices. Internal audits are an essential part of IT security processes and contribute to system integrity. However, they alone are often not enough to fully master the complexity and challenges of Kubernetes.

Operational blindness is a common phenomenon. Team members who work with their Kubernetes environment on a daily basis can unconsciously overlook weak points and optimisation potential. An external view opens up new perspectives and uncovers critical points that may not have been recognised internally.

Another advantage of audits by independent experts is the methodical and structured approach. They use proven frameworks and methods, such as the CIS benchmark for Kubernetes or the OWASP security guidelines, to systematically check all layers of the Kubernetes environment. This ensures that no aspects are overlooked and that the entire architecture, resource utilisation, security structure and configuration details are comprehensively evaluated.

The continuous development of the Kubernetes ecosystem poses an additional challenge. New versions, security updates and best practices are constantly being released. It is difficult to stay up to date and implement all relevant changes. External specialists who deal intensively with these developments ensure that current standards and best practices are applied in a timely manner.

Increasing efficiency through external expertise is possible, as IT teams are often overloaded with operational tasks. According to the Deloitte Global Technology Leadership Study 2023, many CIOs report difficulties in driving strategic projects forward because they are predominantly occupied with day-to-day operational tasks. External service providers can provide support here by carrying out thorough checks without placing an additional burden on internal resources.

Increasing security and ensuring compliance are crucial aspects. Security aspects play a central role, and specialists optimally protect Kubernetes environments against attacks. Comprehensive security analyses uncover vulnerabilities and provide specific recommendations for action. This significantly increases the level of security and supports adherence to compliance requirements.

To summarise, audits by internal teams make a valuable contribution. However, for the in-depth and comprehensive analysis required to optimise and secure a Kubernetes environment, independent experts are an indispensable addition. They bring objective assessments, specialised knowledge and a more comprehensive review to achieve the best possible results.

External Kubernetes specialists: The key difference

With fresh perspectives and unbiased assessments, specialists bring in-depth knowledge and experience from various projects and industries. Their continuous engagement with current technologies and methods enables them to always apply the latest best practices and thoroughly analyse all layers of the Kubernetes environment - from infrastructure to cluster management to applications.

In addition, external analyses provide a strategic perspective that goes beyond short-term fixes. Long-term recommendations support companies in proactively planning future developments and expansions of their Kubernetes environment. This makes it easier to manage potential load peaks, ensure scalability and guarantee the availability of applications. With their market knowledge and technological assessment, independent experts help to develop well-founded roadmaps and underpin strategic decisions.

All in all, reviews by professionals offer comprehensive added value. Objective assessments, specialised expertise and structured approaches make a significant contribution to raising the performance and security of Kubernetes environments to a higher level. These in-depth analyses and suggestions for improvement are particularly valuable as they not only solve current challenges, but also ensure sustainable modernisation and preparation for future requirements.

Systematic approaches for greater efficiency and security in Kubernetes

In order to meet the complex requirements of modern Kubernetes environments, experts rely on proven methods and structured approaches. This approach makes it possible to increase efficiency and at the same time sustainably improve the security of the infrastructure:

• A central component of this methodical approach is comprehensive monitoring of the infrastructure. By using specialised monitoring solutions, experts gain in-depth insights into resource utilisation and cluster performance. Detailed analyses help to identify bottlenecks and inefficiently used resources. This allows targeted optimisations to be made that lead to more efficient utilisation and increase the performance of the applications.
• Automation also plays a crucial role. With dynamic scaling mechanisms, the infrastructure automatically adapts to current demand. This guarantees optimum resource utilisation and ensures that applications remain performant even with fluctuating loads. At the same time, the environment gains flexibility and can respond better to unforeseen requirements.
• For the consistent management and provision of applications, experts use modern deployment strategies and tools for infrastructure automation. This enables complex applications to be deployed reliably and reproducibly. The use of infrastructure as code makes it possible to standardise deployments and minimise sources of error. This increases the stability of the environment and makes it easier to manage large systems.
• The security of the Kubernetes environment is strengthened by systematic checks and the implementation of best practices. Experts analyse configurations for potential vulnerabilities and optimise access rights and network policies. This protects the environment from unauthorised access and increases the overall security of the applications. Regular audits and updates ensure that security standards are adhered to and adapted to new threats.

The combination of these systematic approaches results in a robust and efficient Kubernetes environment. Companies benefit from reduced costs, increased performance and enhanced security. At the same time, the infrastructure is future-proofed so that it can react flexibly to changing requirements. With their expertise and methodical approach, external specialists make a decisive contribution to exploiting the full potential of Kubernetes and achieving sustainable improvements.

Final thoughts: An external view for success

The complexity of modern Kubernetes environments presents companies with considerable challenges. Internal audits often reach their limits, whether due to operational blindness or limited resources. An audit by a specialised third party offers significant advantages here. External assessments make a significant contribution to optimising and securing Kubernetes applications through the targeted use of resources, improved security and strategic recommendations.

Regular external audits are therefore a valuable investment. They enable cost savings, improve operating conditions and raise security standards. Continuous adaptation to the latest best practices ensures that Kubernetes clusters not only meet current requirements, but are also equipped for the future. By integrating specialised expertise such as Claranet's Kubernetes Assessment, companies can exploit the full potential of their Kubernetes environment and are ideally equipped for the future.