How Do I Deploy CrowdStrike Falcon on Kubernetes?

Introduction

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of deploying CrowdStrike Falcon on a Kubernetes cluster using Pulumi. CrowdStrike Falcon is a robust cloud-native endpoint security solution that provides extensive protection against cyber threats. By integrating Falcon into your Kubernetes environment, you can ensure that your containerized applications are safeguarded against potential security breaches.

Deployment Process

The deployment involves creating a Kubernetes deployment that includes all necessary configurations to run the CrowdStrike Falcon sensor. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the deployment process:

1. Define the Namespace: We start by defining a Kubernetes namespace specifically for the CrowdStrike Falcon deployment. This helps in organizing and managing resources effectively.

2. Create the Deployment: Next, we define a Kubernetes deployment for the Falcon sensor. This involves specifying the number of replicas, setting up labels for selectors, and configuring the pod template.

3. Configure Environment Variables: We include necessary environment variables such as FALCONCTL_OPT_CID and FALCONCTL_OPT_APITOKEN. These are critical for the sensor to authenticate and communicate with CrowdStrike services.

4. Set Up Volume Mounts: The deployment also involves setting up volume mounts to ensure that the sensor can access the required file paths for operation.

5. Export Configuration Details: Finally, we export the name of the namespace and the deployment to confirm the setup and for further use.

import * as pulumi from "@pulumi/pulumi";
import * as k8s from "@pulumi/kubernetes";

// Define the namespace for the CrowdStrike Falcon deployment
const namespace = new k8s.core.v1.Namespace("falcon-namespace", {
    metadata: { name: "falcon" },
});

// Define the CrowdStrike Falcon deployment
const falconDeployment = new k8s.apps.v1.Deployment("falcon-deployment", {
    metadata: {
        namespace: namespace.metadata.name,
        name: "falcon-sensor",
    },
    spec: {
        replicas: 1,
        selector: {
            matchLabels: {
                app: "falcon-sensor",
            },
        },
        template: {
            metadata: {
                labels: {
                    app: "falcon-sensor",
                },
            },
            spec: {
                containers: [
                    {
                        name: "falcon-sensor",
                        image: "falcon.crowdstrike.com/falcon-sensor:latest",
                        env: [
                            {
                                name: "FALCONCTL_OPT_CID",
                                value: "<YOUR_CID_HERE>", // Replace with your CrowdStrike CID
                            },
                            {
                                name: "FALCONCTL_OPT_APITOKEN",
                                value: "<YOUR_API_TOKEN_HERE>", // Replace with your CrowdStrike API token
                            },
                        ],
                        volumeMounts: [
                            {
                                name: "falcon-socket",
                                mountPath: "/var/run/falcon-sensor",
                            },
                        ],
                    },
                ],
                volumes: [
                    {
                        name: "falcon-socket",
                        hostPath: {
                            path: "/var/run/falcon-sensor",
                        },
                    },
                ],
            },
        },
    },
});

// Export the name of the namespace and the deployment
export const falconNamespace = namespace.metadata.name;
export const falconDeploymentName = falconDeployment.metadata.name;

Key Points

• We created a dedicated Kubernetes namespace for the CrowdStrike Falcon deployment to maintain organization and management of resources.
• A Kubernetes deployment for the Falcon sensor was defined, including essential environment variables and volume mounts.
• The deployment ensures that the Falcon sensor operates within the specified namespace and is configured correctly for optimal security.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have successfully deployed CrowdStrike Falcon on a Kubernetes cluster using Pulumi. This deployment provides a comprehensive security layer, ensuring that your containerized applications are well-protected against cyber threats. As a next step, consider monitoring the deployment to ensure it operates as expected and update configurations as needed to maintain security efficacy.