Kubernetes Network Policies for PCI DSS Compliance

Kubernetes Network Policies give you that control. They define how pods communicate with each other and with outside systems. Without them, the network is wide open. For PCI DSS, that is a breach waiting to happen.

PCI DSS requires strict segmentation between systems that handle cardholder data and those that do not. In Kubernetes, this means isolating namespaces, locking down ingress and egress, and controlling traffic based on labels, namespaces, and IP blocks. Network Policies are enforced by the network plugin, so you must run one that supports them, like Calico, Cilium, or Weave Net.

The process starts with identifying every pod that processes sensitive data. Assign clear, consistent labels. Then write Network Policies that:

• Deny all traffic by default.
• Allow only the minimum ingress and egress needed.
• Explicitly restrict access to databases, APIs, and internal services by namespace or label.
• Prevent outbound connections from sensitive workloads to the public internet unless required and logged.

For PCI DSS, you must document these controls, monitor them continuously, and prove they work. Automated compliance checks, policy-as-code, and version-controlled manifests ensure no silent drift. Every change to a Network Policy should trigger automated testing to confirm it doesn’t open unauthorized paths.

A single misconfigured allow rule can expose a cardholder data environment to the entire cluster. The safest approach: enforce zero trust inside Kubernetes, make every connection intentional, and design Network Policies as if your auditor is watching.

If your Kubernetes Network Policies aren’t PCI DSS-ready, you’re gambling with your audit — and your security. See how hoop.dev can help you lock them down and validate compliance in minutes.