Kubernetes-Driven Network Security for Distributed ACL Management

Access Control List (ACL) management in complex, distributed network environments poses significant challenges for organizations relying on heterogeneous infrastructures. This paper proposes a novel architecture leveraging Infrastructure as Code principles, containerization, and Kubernetes orchestration to automate and streamline ACL management at scale. Our solution incorporates a CI/CD pipeline for ACL generation, utilizing Capirca for platform-agnostic policy definition and Docker for consistent packaging. A Kubernetes Deployment Controller manages the safe rollout of ACLs across diverse network devices, employing a phased approach with canary deployments. A Drift Detection Controller ensures continuous compliance by monitoring and rectifying unauthorized changes. The architecture integrates with external systems like NetBox for efficient device inventory management. By automating the entire ACL lifecycle, our approach significantly reduces manual errors, enhances security posture, and improves operational efficiency. Performance evaluation reveals strong scalability, with optimization opportunities for large-scale deployments. This work contributes to the evolving field of network security automation, offering a framework for managing network security policies in modern, complex infrastructures.

I. Introduction

Network ACLs are fundamental components of network security, serving as a critical line of defense in protecting digital resources. Network ACLs management refers to the process of defining, implementing, and maintaining rules that govern traffic flow within and between network segments. These ACLs operate at the network layer (Layer 3) and transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI model, controlling access based on IP addresses, protocols, and port numbers. At its core, Network ACL management involves specifying permit or deny rules for various types of network traffic. These rules determine whether packets are allowed to enter or exit a network segment, providing a stateless packet filtering mechanism. By implementing granular control over network traffic, organizations can enforce the principle of least privilege at the network level, ensuring that only authorized communication flows are permitted.