Why Containers Expand the Attack Surface
Microservices speed delivery but multiply risk. Misconfigured Kubernetes clusters are a known goldmine for cryptojacking and data exfiltration.
Core Hardening Steps
- Least privilege images – no root user.
- Signed images only – verify integrity.
- Secrets management – never hardcode creds in YAML.
- Network policies – enforce pod-to-pod traffic rules.
- Regular scanning – Trivy/Clair for image vulnerabilities.
Kubernetes Example
- Restrict API access with RBAC.
- Enable audit logging.
- Use a service mesh (Istio/Linkerd) for encryption and observability.
Why Clients Care
- Containers underpin most cloud projects today.
- Security misconfigurations are the top cause of breaches in Kubernetes.
- Demonstrates consultant-level ability to secure modern stacks.
Security gaps in Linux and cloud systems risk downtime, data compromise, lost business — and compliance failures.
With 20+ years’ experience and active UK Security Check (SC) clearance, I harden Linux and cloud platforms for government, corporate, and academic sectors — ensuring secure, compliant, and resilient infrastructure.