Kubernetes has established itself worldwide as the leading platform for orchestrating containerised applications. It is designed to simplify the provision and management of applications, increase portability and maximise efficiency and scalability through automation. Developers can focus more on development because 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 challenging than expected. The collaboration of 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. In particular, the use of shared resources presents DevOps and platform engineers with the challenge of knowing and consistently applying best practices.
As a Kubernetes cluster grows, so does its administrative complexity. Small errors can add up to big problems. For platform engineering teams, this means constantly ensuring optimal configurations and designing the infrastructure for efficiency. Misconfigurations and a lack of maintenance not only lead to technical difficulties, but can also result in 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 the highest security standards.
From resource bottlenecks to security risks: the biggest Kubernetes challenges
The flexibility and power of Kubernetes enable an almost unlimited number of configuration options. However, this diversity also brings with it significant challenges that can negatively impact stability, security and costs. Problems often arise not from gross errors, but from subtle misconfigurations or a lack of knowledge or application of best practices.
A key problem area is resource utilisation. If CPU and memory capacities are not configured correctly, significant performance issues can arise. Incorrect pod requests and limits lead either to resource bottlenecks, where applications do not receive sufficient power, 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 presents another challenge. Poorly designed cluster architecture can lead to inefficient resource utilisation, a lack of scalability and increased downtime. A lack of fail-safe design patterns or ignoring best practices leads to suboptimal operating conditions. For example, namespace strategies that are not used optimally can make it more difficult to separate and secure applications, which can lead to expensive and time-consuming problems in an emergency.
Security vulnerabilities pose a particularly critical risk. Misconfigurations in role-based access control (RBAC) mechanisms can result in users or services having overly extensive permissions. Failure to observe the ‘least privilege’ principle potentially gives attackers access to sensitive data and critical systems. Likewise, inadequate network policies can endanger the security of the cluster by enabling unwanted communication channels.
Errors in the pipeline configuration can result in faulty applications being deployed into production or downtime. For example, a deployment pipeline misconfiguration can result in untested code going live, causing security risks and service disruptions.
Network issues are also common. Incorrect settings in Container Network Interface (CNI) plugins can impair or completely interrupt communication between pods. A misconfigured network plugin causes microservices to stop communicating with each other or the entire connectivity to the cluster fails. This affects critical workloads and can lead to significant downtime and financial losses.
Why internal audits are not enough: overcoming blinkers
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 are often not enough on their own to fully address the complexities and challenges of Kubernetes.
A common phenomenon is what is known as operational blindness. Team members who work with their Kubernetes environment on a daily basis may unconsciously overlook vulnerabilities and optimisation potential. An external perspective opens up new vistas and uncovers critical points that may not have been recognised internally.
Another advantage of audits by independent experts is their 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 usage, security structure and configuration details are comprehensively evaluated.
The continuous development of the Kubernetes ecosystem presents 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 are closely involved with these developments ensure that current standards and best practices are applied in a timely manner.
External expertise can increase efficiency because IT teams are often overloaded with operational tasks. According to the Deloitte Global Technology Leadership Study 2023, many CIOs report difficulties in advancing strategic projects because they are primarily occupied with day-to-day operational tasks. External service providers can help here by conducting thorough reviews 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 concrete recommendations for action. This significantly increases the security level and supports compliance.
In summary, audits by internal teams make a valuable contribution. However, for the in-depth and comprehensive analysis necessary for the optimisation and security of a Kubernetes environment, independent experts are an indispensable addition. They provide objective assessments, specialised knowledge and a more comprehensive audit to achieve the best possible results.
External Kubernetes specialists: the crucial difference
With fresh perspectives and unbiased assessments, specialists bring in-depth knowledge and experience from a range of projects and industries. Their continuous engagement with the latest technologies and methods enables them to apply the latest best practices and thoroughly analyse all layers of the Kubernetes environment – from infrastructure to cluster management and applications.
In addition, external analyses provide a strategic perspective that goes beyond short-term fixes. Long-term recommendations help companies to proactively plan future developments and expansions of their Kubernetes environment. This makes it easier to manage possible peak loads, ensure scalability and guarantee application availability. With their market knowledge and technological expertise, independent experts help to develop well-founded roadmaps and underpin strategic decisions.
Overall, professional reviews offer comprehensive added value. Objective assessments, specialised expertise and structured approaches are essential to taking the performance and security of Kubernetes environments to the next level. These in-depth analyses and recommendations for improvement are particularly valuable because they not only solve current challenges but also ensure sustainable modernisation and preparation for future requirements.
Systematic approaches for more efficiency and security in Kubernetes
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 while sustainably improving infrastructure security.
- Comprehensive monitoring of the infrastructure is a central component of this methodical approach. By using specialised monitoring solutions, experts gain in-depth insights into resource utilisation and cluster performance. Detailed analyses help to identify bottlenecks and inefficient use of resources. This allows targeted optimisations to be made that lead to more efficient utilisation and increased application performance.
- Automation also plays a crucial role. With dynamic scaling mechanisms, the infrastructure automatically adjusts to current demand. This ensures optimal use of resources and ensures that applications remain performant even when loads fluctuate. At the same time, the environment gains in flexibility and can better respond to unforeseen demands.
- To ensure consistent management and provision of applications, experts use modern deployment strategies and infrastructure automation tools. This makes it possible to provide complex applications in a reliable and reproducible manner. By using infrastructure as code, it is 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 through systematic reviews 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 met and adapted to new threats.
The combination of these systematic approaches leads to 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 to be able to react flexibly to changing requirements. External specialists make a decisive contribution to exploiting the full potential of Kubernetes and achieving sustainable improvements with their expertise and methodical approach.
Final thoughts: The road to success starts with an external perspective
The complexity of modern Kubernetes environments presents companies with significant challenges. Internal audits often reach their limits, whether due to operational blindness or limited resources. In this case, a review by specialised third parties offers significant advantages. External assessments contribute significantly to the optimisation and security of Kubernetes applications through targeted resource utilisation, improved security and strategic recommendations.
Regular external reviews are therefore a valuable investment. They enable cost savings, improve operating conditions and increase security standards. Continuously adapting to the latest best practices ensures that Kubernetes clusters not only meet current requirements, but are also future-proof. By bringing in specialised expertise such as Claranet's Kubernetes Assessment, organisations can unlock the full potential of their Kubernetes environment and be best prepared for the future.