Kubernetes: A Comprehensive Exploration of Features, Applications, and Advanced Security Strategies

Subject Areas : Strategic Management

Mahsa Beigrezaei ^{1 *} , Seyed Ali Samouti ²

1 - Department of Computer and Engineering., Yadegar -e- Imam Khomeini (RAH) Shahr-e-Rey Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 -

Received: 2024-12-28 Accepted : 2025-06-30 Published : 2025-01-13

Keywords: Kubernetes, container, security,

Abstract :

This comprehensive investigation examines the architectural framework and implementation paradigms of Kubernetes, a sophisticated open-source container orchestration platform that facilitates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications across heterogeneous computing environments. The analysis commences with a systematic examination of Kubernetes' fundamental capabilities, encompassing its autonomous scaling mechanisms, fault-tolerant architecture, and advanced traffic management protocols, which collectively establish the foundation for robust and scalable cloud-native infrastructures. Subsequently, this research conducts a critical assessment of the intrinsic security challenges within the Kubernetes ecosystem, with particular emphasis on network security vulnerabilities, credential management frameworks, and the implementation of granular access control mechanisms. Furthermore, this scholarly work presents an in-depth analysis of emerging threat vectors and sophisticated security methodologies, including proactive threat detection frameworks and the seamless integration of security protocols within continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. The investigation extends to empirical case studies demonstrating Kubernetes' practical applications across diverse sectors, including cloud service providers, contemporary software development methodologies, and complex multi-cloud architectures, thereby exemplifying its versatility and operational efficacy in enterprise-scale deployments. This research aims to provide organizations with comprehensive insights into optimizing their Kubernetes implementations while establishing robust cybersecurity frameworks to address evolving technological threats in contemporary computing environments.

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