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Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) has rolled out a new feature in preview: the AKS Security Dashboard. This dashboard centralizes security insights, making it easier for cluster administrators and resource owners to identify and address vulnerabilities and misconfigurations directly from the AKS portal.

Security is one of the top concerns for Kubernetes users, especially as environments grow more complex. The AKS Security Dashboard simplifies the process by providing a single pane of glass to monitor and manage security risks. It’s designed to help teams save time, reduce errors, and focus on what matters most: securing their clusters effectively.

What is the AKS Security Dashboard?

The AKS Security Dashboard provides a unified view of your cluster’s security posture. It helps you streamline vulnerability assessment and remediation workflows without leaving the Azure portal. Key features include:

  • Security posture overview: Get a summary of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations categorized by risk levels.
  • Defender for Containers configuration: Enable and customize security settings for individual clusters.
  • Guided remediation: Access detailed recommendations for resolving identified security issues.
  • Task assignment: Delegate remediation responsibilities to team members with due dates and reminders.

Prerequisites

To use the AKS Security Dashboard effectively, you need the following:

How to Access the AKS Security Dashboard

You can access the AKS Security Dashboard by navigating to a cluster resource in the Azure portal and selecting Microsoft Defender for Cloud in the menu. The dashboard includes:

  • Security findings for the cluster: Displays a summary of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
  • Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations tabs: Provides detailed lists of identified issues with risk levels and actionable recommendations.
  • Defender for Containers status: Shows the current status and allows you to configure Defender for Containers settings.

Streamlined Security Remediation

The dashboard simplifies remediation processes by providing:

  1. Quick Fix options: Resolve issues directly from the recommendation details pane.
  2. Task assignment: Assign an owner for specific vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Set deadlines and enable periodic reminders to ensure timely resolution.
  3. Batch actions: Assign a single owner to multiple recommendations in one step.
  4. Export capabilities: Download a CSV report of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations for further analysis or reporting.

Configuring Defender for Containers

From the Defender for Containers status section, you can configure the following:

  • Kubernetes API access: Enables runtime vulnerability assessment and response actions.
  • Registry access: Provides vulnerability assessments for registry images.
  • Azure Policy: Deploys agents to harden cluster control and data planes.

Configuration can also be done via REST API and Infrastrcture as Code (Iac) commands for advanced automation.

Why Use the AKS Security Dashboard?

This feature integrates security management into your existing workflows. It eliminates the need to switch between tools, reducing the risk of overlooking critical issues. With actionable insights and automation options, you can enhance your cluster’s security posture with less effort.

Final Thoughts

The AKS Security Dashboard is a valuable addition for anyone managing Kubernetes clusters in Azure. It simplifies security monitoring and remediation, enabling you to protect your environment efficiently.

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Pixel Robots.

I’m Richard Hooper aka Pixel Robots. I started this blog in 2016 for a couple reasons. The first reason was basically just a place for me to store my step by step guides, troubleshooting guides and just plain ideas about being a sysadmin. The second reason was to share what I have learned and found out with other people like me. Hopefully, you can find something useful on the site.

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