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Transparent Data Encryption in Kubernetes with kubectl

Andrios Robert

• 2 min read

The cluster was silent. Pods ran. Data moved. And yet, without Transparent Data Encryption, every byte lay exposed.

kubectl gives engineers control over Kubernetes resources, but it has no native switch for Transparent Data Encryption (TDE). Without TDE, sensitive data stored in PersistentVolumes or databases inside Kubernetes remains readable if the storage layer is compromised. TDE ensures data is encrypted at rest, protecting secrets from theft even if attackers bypass network defenses.

What is Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)?

TDE encrypts data at the storage level. Encryption and decryption happen automatically, handled by the database or storage engine. This makes it impossible to read files directly from disk without the keys, while keeping applications running normally. Popular databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle support TDE. Kubernetes can host these databases, but deployment requires planning.

Why TDE in Kubernetes matters

Clusters often share infrastructure. Storage can be replicated, backed up, or moved between nodes. Without TDE, any copy of the data is vulnerable. Kubernetes secrets help secure credentials, but they do not encrypt PersistentVolumes. Deploying TDE inside apps and data stores in the cluster closes this gap.

How to enable TDE with kubectl-managed workloads

  1. Select a database with TDE support – Examples: PostgreSQL with pgcrypto, MySQL Enterprise, SQL Server 2019.
  2. Configure encryption keys – Store master keys in a secure vault, such as HashiCorp Vault, AWS KMS, or Azure Key Vault. Avoid storing them in ConfigMaps or Secrets without additional encryption.
  3. Update deployment manifests – Use kubectl apply or kubectl create to push your database configuration into the cluster. Include environment variables or mounted secrets for key references.
  4. Verify encryption – Run database commands to confirm tablespaces or storage files are encrypted.
  5. Secure backup workflows – Backups must also be encrypted. TDE will protect them automatically if taken from an encrypted source.

Best practices for TDE in Kubernetes

  • Rotate keys regularly with zero-downtime methods.
  • Restrict access to kubectl commands that manage secrets or configs.
  • Use role-based access control (RBAC) to prevent unauthorized deployment changes.
  • Monitor for pods or jobs that access encrypted data without going through the database layer.

Common pitfalls

  • Deploying TDE incorrectly, leaving temp files unencrypted.
  • Forgetting to encrypt backups stored outside the cluster.
  • Using weak key management or storing keys in plaintext inside secrets.
  • Not testing restore scenarios with encrypted backups.

Transparent Data Encryption is critical for securing workloads where compliance, trust, and resilience matter. Kubernetes and kubectl can orchestrate TDE-enabled databases seamlessly when paired with strong key management.

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