Deploying a Secured Kubernetes Dashboard

Kubernetes clusters are made up of more than the API server and the kubelet. Clusters are generally made up of additional applications that need to be secured, such as container registries, source control systems, pipeline services, GitOps applications, and monitoring systems. The users of your cluster will often need to interact with these applications directly.

While many clusters are focused on authenticating access to user-facing applications and services, cluster solutions are not given the same first-class status. Users often are asked to use kubectl's port-forward or proxy capability to access these systems. This method of access is an anti-pattern from a security and user experience standpoint. The first exposure users and administrators will have to this anti-pattern is the Kubernetes Dashboard. This chapter will detail why this method of access is an anti-pattern and how to properly access Dashboard. We'll walk you through...