Advanced certification from CNCF and The Linux Foundation demonstrates expertise in securing Kubernetes based platforms and applications
SAN FRANCISCO, November 17, 2020 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, and Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF®), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), previously announced to be in development in July, is now generally available.
CKS is a two-hour, performance-based certification exam that provides assurance that a certificant has the skills, knowledge, and competence on a broad range of best practices for securing container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment, and runtime. The exam is taken remotely with a live proctor monitoring via webcam and screen sharing. Candidates for CKS must hold a current Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification to demonstrate they possess sufficient Kubernetes expertise before sitting for the CKS. The certification remains valid for two years from the date it is awarded.
The certification exam tests specific domains and competencies including:
- Cluster Setup
- Cluster Hardening
- System Hardening
- Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities
- Supply Chain Security
- Monitoring, Logging, and Runtime Security
“With the widespread adoption of cloud and container technologies the world over, it was no surprise our 2020 Open Source Jobs Report found cloud to be the most in demand skill amongst open source employers, with security closely following,” said Clyde Seepersad, SVP and general manager of training & certification at The Linux Foundation. “Cloud technologies have provided us with countless new applications and use cases, but as they become more and more ingrained into our lives and businesses, it’s essential that they be used securely. This certification will enable qualified professionals to demonstrate they have both the necessary cloud and security expertise to proactively prevent most security issues, and to quickly remediate others.”
“The CNCF community is focused on improving overall security in cloud native systems, as well as increasing the number of cloud native security experts,” said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. “It is essential that security be addressed at all levels of the stack and across the entire ecosystem, which is why an advanced certification focused on Kubernetes security is such a benefit for our community. We look forward to seeing developers certified and encourage folks to participate in the CNCF Security SIG to advance the state of cloud native security practices forward.”
The CKS exam is available to be scheduled immediately. More information about the exam and topics covered in it is available here. Those who intend to pursue the CKS but do not already hold a CKA certification may learn more about that exam here.
About the Linux Foundation
Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world’s leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation’s projects are critical to the world’s infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation’s methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.
About Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry’s top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 500 members, including the world’s largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io.
The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
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Media Contact:
Dan Brown
The Linux Foundation
415-420-7880
dbrown@linuxfoundation.org