All courses
Resource hub
Featured resource
Forrester Wave Report 2025
Pluralsight named a Leader in the Forrester Wave™

Our tech skill development platform earned the highest scores possible across 11 criteria.

Learn more
Hamburger Icon
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Cloud
  • Security
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Hardening a kops Default Deployment with Kube-bench

This lab guides the student through the creation of a Kubernetes cluster using the kops installer. After the cluster is initialized, the Aquasec kube-bench utility is used to evaluate the master node configuration against the CIS Benchmark. Then, three failed tests are remediated, by manually updating the kube-apiserver manifest.

Get started Contact sales
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 1h 0m
Published
Clock icon Jul 11, 2019

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Use kops to Create the Cluster

    1. Run the provided k8s script and create the Kubernetes cluster.
    2. Validate the cluster.

    Note: This will take some time to come up. Give this step 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

  2. Challenge

    Retrieve a Connect String from Amazon AWS and Connect to the Master Node

    1. Use the Amazon AWS Console and retrieve a connect string for the master node. Then use ssh to connect to the master node.

    Note: You can get the connection information from the output provided when you create the cluster.

  3. Challenge

    Run the AquaSec kube-bench Utility on the Master Node

    1. Using Docker, pull down the latest kube-bench image.
    2. Execute a kube-bench run against the master node and output the results to a file.

  4. Challenge

    Remediate Failed Tests 1.2.8, 1.2.18, and 1.2.21

    1. Use the process status command to look at the current apiserver arguments.
    2. Use the vi editory as super user to edit the kube apiserver manifest.
    3. Edit the test recommendations per the remediation listed in the kube-bench report.
    4. Rerun the kube-bench report after the api server has restarted.
    5. Compare the old and new reports using the Linux diff command.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
Author
Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
Ready to get started?
View individual plans View team plans