KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe

Bob and Alice Revisited: Understanding Encryption in Kubernetes - Jackie Maertens & Mitch Connors

27:03 · 23 Mar 2026 – 26 Mar 2026 · YouTube

About this talk

This talk, presented by Jackie Maertens and Mitch Connors from Microsoft, focuses on the crucial role of encryption within the Kubernetes ecosystem. It aims to clarify different encryption methods including symmetric and asymmetric encryption, TLS, mTLS, and VPN, using the familiar narrative of Bob and Alice. The speakers provide practical examples that illustrate encryption use cases in Kubernetes, including ingress, API server communication, and service mesh traffic with Istio. By the end of the session, attendees will gain insights into the trade-offs between data security and usability, equipping them to make informed decisions about encryption strategies in their Kubernetes environments.