cert-manager Achieves Graduation Status in Cloud Native Ecosystem

cert-manager Achieves Significant Milestone with Graduation

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) has officially celebrated the graduation of cert-manager, an open source security project dedicated to automating encrypted data communications in cloud native environments. As developers increasingly rely on cloud computing solutions, cert-manager stands out for its role in facilitating secure communication across distributed systems.

Understanding cert-manager and Its Importance

cert-manager was created to streamline the process of managing TLS and mTLS certificates within Kubernetes platforms. By automating the issuance, renewal, and lifecycle management of X.509 certificates, it alleviates the need for developers to handle these tasks manually. This enhancement helps maintain secure applications, ensuring that they are always equipped with the necessary certificates without requiring constant monitoring and intervention.

Transforming Security Management in Cloud Native Applications

Chris Aniszczyk, CTO at CNCF, comments on the significance of cert-manager's capabilities, stating, "By making it easier for developers to obtain and manage security certificates, cert-manager contributes to an overall more secure ecosystem." This project not only simplifies tasks for developers but also contributes substantially to the security frameworks surrounding cloud native applications.

A Journey of Growth and Community Development

Originally launched by Jetstack in 2017, cert-manager was introduced into the CNCF Sandbox in November 2020 and has since expanded its community and features. Over the last four years, it has garnered a strong network of over 450 contributors, delivering more than 200 releases. Achieving the Incubating maturity level in 2022, cert-manager has integrated with various projects like Kubernetes and Prometheus, enhancing the security within diverse environments.

Recognition from Industry Experts

Taking note of cert-manager's impact, industry experts like Spyros Synodinos from Giantswarm underscore its role in modern Kubernetes platforms. "cert-manager has streamlined our SSL/TLS certificate management, reducing operational overhead while enhancing security,” he emphasizes. This growing recognition validates the importance of cert-manager within the cloud native ecosystem as it becomes a standard tool for certificate management.

Adoption and Usage Statistics

As cert-manager continues to mature, its adoption rates have witnessed impressive growth. Recent statistics indicate that cert-manager now sees over 500 million downloads monthly, and around 86% of new production clusters are created with cert-manager as a standard incorporation. This trend reflects a shift toward more secure and efficient management of TLS and mTLS certificates in cloud environments.

Future Directions and Ongoing Innovations

The roadmap for cert-manager includes future support developments aimed at improving the user experience even further. One key feature is the introduction of ACME Renewal Information (ARI), which aims to simplify certificate renewals through the ACME protocol. Furthermore, the project is focused on minimizing core components to lower the attack surface and enhance security practices.

Community Engagement and Recognition

The growth of cert-manager has been significantly driven by an engaged community. Ashley Davis, a maintainer for cert-manager, reflects on the project’s journey, highlighting a recent milestone of onboarding a community member as a full maintainer. This moment represents a deeper integration of community voices into the development process, heralding an era of collaboration and innovation.

A Testament of Team Effort

Matt Barker, co-founder of Jetstack, emphasizes the remarkable evolution of cert-manager from its early days. He notes the collective effort of the engineering team and supporters who have contributed towards achieving graduated status under CNCF. Such milestones not only mark success for the project but also signify the hard work and dedication of the community behind it.

The Role of CNCF in Supporting cert-manager

CNCF plays a pivotal role in the project's journey, providing support structures that enhance governance and operational reliability for cert-manager. Tim Ramlot from Venafi, a CyberArk company, points out that CNCF's framework fosters a robust foundation for cert-manager's growth, emphasizing its neutrality and commitment to sustaining a secure project environment.

Conclusion and Future Meetings

To know more and engage with the cert-manager team, attendees are encouraged to visit the cert-manager kiosk (#10A) in the Project Pavilion at the upcoming KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America. This gathering presents a timely opportunity for stakeholders to connect, share experiences, and discuss the exciting future of cert-manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cert-manager?

cert-manager is an open-source project designed to automate TLS certificate management within cloud native environments, particularly Kubernetes.

Why is cert-manager important?

cert-manager simplifies the process of obtaining and renewing security certificates, enhancing security practices for cloud native applications.

When did cert-manager graduate from CNCF?

cert-manager achieved graduation status recently, marking a significant milestone in its development and community engagement.

Who can benefit from using cert-manager?

Cloud native developers and organizations managing Kubernetes environments can benefit from cert-manager's automated certificate management features.

How can I learn more about cert-manager?

To explore more about cert-manager and its features, visit its kiosk at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America or access its official documentation online.

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