In a modern cloud-native landscape, Kubernetes has become part of the foundation of modern digital infrastructure. As organizations scale their containerized applications, securing communication within and outside the cluster becomes critical. One of the most effective ways to secure Kubernetes communications is through SSL/TLS encryption via GlobalSign’s Automatic Certificate Management Environment (ACME) service, which is integrated with cert-manager, to offer a seamless, automated solution.
Why SSL/TLS Matters in Kubernetes
The now defunct Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and its successor Transport Layer Security (TLS) ensures that data exchanged between services, users, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is encrypted and authenticated. In Kubernetes, SSL/TLS is essential for:
- Securing Ingress traffic
- Protecting internal service communication
- Authenticating API server access
- Meeting compliance and security standards
Manual certificate management, however, is error-prone and time consuming, especially in environments like Kubernetes with fast-moving clusters. That’s where automation comes in.
Automation powered through GlobalSign’s ACME Service and cert-manager
GlobalSign, a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), offers an ACME service that simplifies certificate issuance and renewal. ACME is a protocol designed to automate the lifecycle of SSL/TLS certificates, reducing human intervention and minimizing downtime risks.
GlobalSign’s ACME service provides:
- Publicly trusted certificates
- Automated issuance and renewal
- Scalable integration for cloud-native environments
- High assurance, backed by one of the world’s most trusted CA’s
cert-manager is a powerful Kubernetes add-on that automates the management of SSL/TLS certificates from various sources, including ACME-compatible CAs like GlobalSign. It works by monitoring Kubernetes resources and automatically requesting, renewing, and deploying certificates.
How It Works with GlobalSign
- Install cert-manager in your Kubernetes cluster using Helm or kubectl.
- Configure an Issuer or ClusterIssuer resource pointing to GlobalSign’s ACME endpoint.
- Create Certificate resources that specify the domain names and desired configuration.
- cert-manager handles the ACME challenge, requests the certificate, and stores it in a Kubernetes Secret.
- Certificates are automatically renewed before expiration.
This integration ensures that your services are always protected with valid, up-to-date certificates, without manual effort.
Benefits for Compliance Teams and Developers
For Compliance Teams:
- Reduced operational risk through automation
- Improved compliance with industry standards
- Enhanced customer trust via publicly trusted certificates
For Developers:
- Streamlined DevOps workflows
- No manual certificate handling
- Easy integration with Kubernetes-native tools
Getting Started
To begin securing your Kubernetes cluster with GlobalSign’s ACME service:
- Sign up for GlobalSign’s ACME service.
- Deploy cert-manager in your cluster.
- Configure your Issuer and Certificate resources.
- Enjoy automated, secure SSL/TLS across your infrastructure.
The Smarter Way to Secure Kubernetes
GlobalSign’s ACME service, combined with cert-manager, empowers organizations to secure their Kubernetes environments with ease and confidence. Whether you're a developer looking to simplify your workflows or a business leader aiming to strengthen your security posture, this integration offers a robust, scalable solution.
Ready to automate your Kubernetes SSL/TLS? Contact GlobalSign to learn more or get started today.
