How to implement Encryption-at-Rest for PostgreSQL in Kubernetes?


Implementing encryption-at-Rest for PostgreSQL in Kubernetes involves configuring encryption for the persistent storage where PostgreSQL data resides. Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to achieve this, along with a real-world example:

  1. Choose a Kubernetes storage provider:

    First, select a Kubernetes storage provider that supports encryption-at-rest.For instance, you can use a provider like Google Cloud Persistent Disk with encryption enabled.

  2. Enable encryption on the storage provider:

    Next, configure the storage provider to enable encryption-at-rest.Typically involves creating or modifying a storage class definition and setting the appropriate encryption options.
  3. Create a Persistent Volume (PV) and Persistent Volume Claim (PVC):

    Then, define a PV and PVC in your Kubernetes cluster to allocate storage for PostgreSQL.Make sure that the PVC references the encrypted storage class.
  4. Configure the PostgreSQL Deployment:

    After that, set up a PostgreSQL Deployment in Kubernetes, specifying the PVC created in the previous step as the storage volume for PostgreSQL data.

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
name: postgresql
spec:
replicas: 1
selector:
matchLabels:
app: postgresql
template:
metadata:
labels:
app: postgresql
spec:
containers:
– name: postgresql
image: postgres:latest
ports:
– containerPort: 5432
volumeMounts:
– mountPath: /var/lib/postgresql/data
name: postgresql-storage
volumes:
– name: postgresql-storage
persistentVolumeClaim:
claimName: postgresql-pvc

  1. Deploy the PostgreSQL Deployment:

    Now, deploy the PostgreSQL Deployment by applying the YAML manifest file.
  2. Verify Encryption-at-Rest:

    Finally, to verify that encryption-at-rest is enabled, check the storage provider’s documentation and monitoring tools. For example, in the case of Google Cloud Persistent Disk, you can review the disk encryption status in the Google Cloud Console or through the command-line tools.

For example, in the case of Google Cloud Persistent Disk, you can review the disk encryption status in the Google Cloud Console or through the command-line tools.

Note: However, keep in mind that specific steps may vary depending on your Kubernetes distribution and storage provider. Therefore, always consult the provider’s documentation for accurate and updated procedures.

Additionally, consider other security best practices—such as encrypting network communication, enforcing access controls, and applying regular updates—to ensure end-to-end protection of your PostgreSQL environment.

About Shiv Iyer 500 Articles
Open Source Database Systems Engineer with a deep understanding of Optimizer Internals, Performance Engineering, Scalability and Data SRE. Shiv currently is the Founder, Investor, Board Member and CEO of multiple Database Systems Infrastructure Operations companies in the Transaction Processing Computing and ColumnStores ecosystem. He is also a frequent speaker in open source software conferences globally.