What action is necessary to comply with security goals when operating Google Kubernetes Engine?

Implementing Binary Authorization in a CI/CD pipeline is essential for ensuring the integrity and security of your application deployments in Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). Binary Authorization acts as a gatekeeper that ensures only trusted images are deployed to your Kubernetes clusters. It uses policies to enforce signatures from trusted authorities before allowing containers to be deployed, thereby minimizing the risk of deploying vulnerable or malicious software.

This capability is particularly important in a CI/CD context, as automated deployment processes can inadvertently introduce security vulnerabilities if not properly controlled. By requiring reviewed and approved images, Binary Authorization helps maintain a secure software supply chain.

While other options also contribute to a robust security posture in GKE, they serve different aspects of security management. Enabling Container Analysis and checking for vulnerabilities, using IAM policies to restrict access, and deploying security monitoring tools are all excellent practices that enhance overall security. However, without enforcing Binary Authorization as part of the deployment process, there remains a risk of running unverified code, which can lead to security breaches. Therefore, using Binary Authorization is a crucial step to comply with security goals effectively in GKE.