DZone
Thanks for visiting DZone today,
Edit Profile
  • Manage Email Subscriptions
  • How to Post to DZone
  • Article Submission Guidelines
Sign Out View Profile
  • Post an Article
  • Manage My Drafts
Over 2 million developers have joined DZone.
Log In / Join
Please enter at least three characters to search
Refcards Trend Reports
Events Video Library
Refcards
Trend Reports

Events

View Events Video Library

Zones

Culture and Methodologies Agile Career Development Methodologies Team Management
Data Engineering AI/ML Big Data Data Databases IoT
Software Design and Architecture Cloud Architecture Containers Integration Microservices Performance Security
Coding Frameworks Java JavaScript Languages Tools
Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance Deployment DevOps and CI/CD Maintenance Monitoring and Observability Testing, Tools, and Frameworks
Culture and Methodologies
Agile Career Development Methodologies Team Management
Data Engineering
AI/ML Big Data Data Databases IoT
Software Design and Architecture
Cloud Architecture Containers Integration Microservices Performance Security
Coding
Frameworks Java JavaScript Languages Tools
Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance
Deployment DevOps and CI/CD Maintenance Monitoring and Observability Testing, Tools, and Frameworks

Last call! Secure your stack and shape the future! Help dev teams across the globe navigate their software supply chain security challenges.

Modernize your data layer. Learn how to design cloud-native database architectures to meet the evolving demands of AI and GenAI workloads.

Releasing software shouldn't be stressful or risky. Learn how to leverage progressive delivery techniques to ensure safer deployments.

Avoid machine learning mistakes and boost model performance! Discover key ML patterns, anti-patterns, data strategies, and more.

Related

  • Auditing Tools for Kubernetes
  • Demystifying Kubernetes in 5 Minutes
  • Strengthening Your Kubernetes Cluster With Pod Security Admission
  • From Novice to Expert: Building Robust Security With Kubernetes RBAC

Trending

  • Memory Leak Due to Time-Taking finalize() Method
  • Docker Base Images Demystified: A Practical Guide
  • A Simple, Convenience Package for the Azure Cosmos DB Go SDK
  • Designing a Java Connector for Software Integrations
  1. DZone
  2. Software Design and Architecture
  3. Cloud Architecture
  4. 10 Best Practices for Using Kubernetes Network Policies

10 Best Practices for Using Kubernetes Network Policies

In this article, we will explore ten best practices for using Kubernetes Network Policies to enhance the security and reliability of your applications.

By 
Emmanuel Moila user avatar
Emmanuel Moila
·
Apr. 24, 23 · Code Snippet
Likes (3)
Comment
Save
Tweet
Share
7.8K Views

Join the DZone community and get the full member experience.

Join For Free

As more applications are deployed in Kubernetes clusters, ensuring that traffic flows securely and efficiently between them becomes increasingly important. Kubernetes Network Policies are a powerful tool for controlling traffic flow at the IP address or port level, but implementing them effectively requires following best practices. In this article, we will explore ten best practices for using Kubernetes Network Policies to enhance the security and reliability of your applications.

1. Use Namespaces and Labels for Granular Policy Enforcement

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: backend-policy
  namespace: backend
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  ingress:
  - from:
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          app: frontend


In this example, we’re applying a Network Policy to the backend namespace, restricting traffic to pods with the label app: backend. We also allow traffic from pods with the label. app: frontend.

2. Use Default-Deny Policies to Enforce a Secure Environment

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: default-deny
spec:
  podSelector: {}
  policyTypes:
  - Ingress
  - Egress


By default, Kubernetes allows all network traffic between pods. Using a default-deny policy can help you create a more secure environment by blocking all traffic unless it is explicitly allowed by a policy.

In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy that denies all ingress and egress traffic by default.

3. Use IP Blocks to Restrict Traffic to Specific IP Addresses or Ranges

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: restrict-external-access
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  egress:
  - to:
    - ipBlock:
        cidr: 192.168.0.0/16


In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy that restricts egress traffic from pods with the label app: backend to the IP range 192.168.0.0/16.

4. Use Port-Based Policies to Control Traffic to Specific Ports

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: restrict-http-access
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  ingress:
  - from:
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          app: frontend
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 80


In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy that allows ingress traffic from pods with the label app: frontend to the pods with the label app: backend on port 80.

5. Use Labels to Apply Multiple Policies to the Same Pods

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: policy1
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  ingress:
  - from:
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          app: frontend
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 80

---
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: policy2
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  ingress:
  - from:
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          app: frontend
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 443


In this example, we’re creating two Network Policies that allow ingress traffic from pods with the label app: frontend to pods with the label app: backend. One policy allows traffic on port 80, while the other allows traffic on port 443.

6. Use Namespaces to Create Isolation Boundaries

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: isolate-frontend
  namespace: frontend
spec:
  podSelector: {}
  policyTypes:
  - Ingress
  ingress:
  - from:
    - namespaceSelector:
        matchLabels:
          name: backend


In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy in the frontend namespace that restricts ingress traffic to pods in the backend namespace.

7. Use Network Policies to Enforce Compliance Requirements

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: restrict-sensitve-data-access
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: sensitive-data
  ingress:
  - from:
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          app: trusted-app
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 443


In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy that only allows ingress traffic from pods with the label app: trusted-app to the pods with the label app: sensitive-data on port 443.

8. Use Network Policies to Improve Application Security

YAML
 
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
  name: restrict-access
spec:
  podSelector:
    matchLabels:
      app: backend
  ingress:
  - from:
    - ipBlock:
        cidr: 10.10.0.0/24
    ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 80


In this example, we’re creating a Network Policy that only allows ingress traffic from IP addresses within the 10.10.0.0/24 CIDR block to the pods with the label app: backend on port 80.

9. Understand and Document the Traffic Flow

Before creating network policies, it is essential to understand and document how traffic flows within your cluster. This will help you identify which pods need to communicate with each other and which pods should be isolated.

10. Document Your Policies

Document your network policies, including the purpose, rules, and expected behavior. This will help you and other developers understand how traffic flows within your cluster.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kubernetes Network Policies provide a powerful means of controlling traffic flow at the IP address or port level in your Kubernetes cluster. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your policies are effective and reliable and enhance the security of your applications. Remember to regularly review and update your policies as your environment changes to ensure that they remain effective. By doing so, you can help to safeguard your applications and data and provide a more secure and efficient experience for your users. With these best practices in mind, you can confidently deploy and manage your applications in Kubernetes with the added peace of mind that comes from knowing your network traffic is secured.

HTTPS Kubernetes Network security API cluster

Published at DZone with permission of Emmanuel Moila. See the original article here.

Opinions expressed by DZone contributors are their own.

Related

  • Auditing Tools for Kubernetes
  • Demystifying Kubernetes in 5 Minutes
  • Strengthening Your Kubernetes Cluster With Pod Security Admission
  • From Novice to Expert: Building Robust Security With Kubernetes RBAC

Partner Resources

×

Comments
Oops! Something Went Wrong

The likes didn't load as expected. Please refresh the page and try again.

ABOUT US

  • About DZone
  • Support and feedback
  • Community research
  • Sitemap

ADVERTISE

  • Advertise with DZone

CONTRIBUTE ON DZONE

  • Article Submission Guidelines
  • Become a Contributor
  • Core Program
  • Visit the Writers' Zone

LEGAL

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy

CONTACT US

  • 3343 Perimeter Hill Drive
  • Suite 100
  • Nashville, TN 37211
  • support@dzone.com

Let's be friends:

Likes
There are no likes...yet! 👀
Be the first to like this post!
It looks like you're not logged in.
Sign in to see who liked this post!