Containers and Kubernetes present several limitations and challenges that organizations must consider. One significant issue is platform complexity. While these technologies are versatile, they are not always necessary for every application. For instance, using Kubernetes to orchestrate static Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) applications can be excessive, as the complexity of Kubernetes may outweigh any potential business benefits.
Security is another critical concern. Although container technology itself is not inherently insecure, deploying it at scale necessitates the development of new security models. This requires a mature DevSecOps process and a shared responsibility among developers, platform operations, site reliability engineering (SRE), and security teams to ensure robust security practices.
Automation and governance also pose challenges. Successful container deployments demand ongoing curation of technology components, consistent operations, and upgrades to existing tools and processes. This often requires significant investments in new tooling and the removal of constraints that hinder agility. Such changes can lead to conflicting opinions among teams and result in a lengthy, complex selection and integration process.
Lastly, cultural and skill-related challenges can impede the adoption of containerized applications. Organizations often struggle to build and operationalize these applications due to a lack of expertise among development, security, and operations teams. Additionally, deploying a unified platform like Kubernetes necessitates clearly defined shared responsibilities and a growth mindset that embraces failure and encourages iterative improvement.
In summary, while containers and Kubernetes offer substantial benefits, organizations must navigate complexities, security concerns, automation needs, and cultural shifts to successfully implement these technologies.