Kubernetes

Kubernetes is among the projects for which CNCF provides support, oversight and direction, alongside Envoy and Prometheus. CNCF describes its hosted projects as the foundation of cloud and AI native computing, grouped into graduated, incubating and sandbox maturity levels. Silver members are told that developers can move from using open source to shaping projects such as Kubernetes, Helm and Prometheus. CNCF also runs Kubernetes certifications, and individuals who pass all of them are recognised through the Kubestronaut programme.

  • Hosted within CNCF's project portfolio as part of the Linux Foundation
  • Kubernetes certifications include CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA and KCSA
  • Kubestronaut title awarded for passing all CNCF Kubernetes certifications
  • Silver members are eligible to host local Kubernetes Community Days

Sources: Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Join the Cloud Native Movement | CNCF, Kubestronaut Program | CNCF

CNCF Landscape

The CNCF Landscape was created to help users navigate the cloud native ecosystem. Member organisations can add their company to the landscape by opening a pull request. Silver Membership includes display of a company's logo on the CNCF website and the interactive landscape. The landscape sits alongside other CNCF sites and resources, such as the flagship cncf.io website and the Cloud Native Glossary.

  • Created to help users navigate the cloud native ecosystem
  • Companies added via a pull request
  • Logo placement on the interactive landscape is a Silver Membership benefit
  • Listed among CNCF sites and resources alongside the Cloud Native Glossary

Sources: Explore All CNCF Sites | CNCF, Membership Hub – For Current Members | CNCF, Join the Cloud Native Movement | CNCF

Cilium and the Cilium Certified Associate (CCA)

Cilium is a cloud native networking, security and observability project for Kubernetes clusters, built on eBPF. CNCF offers the Cilium Certified Associate (CCA), an entry-level certification confirming a candidate's knowledge of connecting, securing and observing Kubernetes clusters using Cilium. The certification was built in collaboration with Isovalent, the company founded by the creators of the Cilium project, and CNCF has open sourced the exam curriculum. The CCA is one of the certifications counted towards the Golden Kubestronaut designation.

  • Entry-level certification aimed at platform and cloud engineers
  • Online exam priced at $250
  • Covers Cilium architecture, eBPF, network policies, load balancing and observability tools
  • Curriculum open sourced by CNCF for exam preparation
  • Suited to holders of KCNA, CKA or CKAD certification

Sources: Cilium Certified Associate (CCA) | CNCF, Kubestronaut Program | CNCF

Organisation The Linux Foundation Parent foundation of CNCF, whose events team and codes of conduct also apply across CNCF activities.
Educational Program Cloud Native Ambassador Program CNCF program empowering community leaders with support, training, mentorship, guidance and rewards.
Service CNCF End User Contributor Program Program recognising end user organisations of CNCF projects that actively contribute to the cloud native ecosystem.
Service CNCF Silver Membership CNCF membership level offering visibility, training discounts and ecosystem engagement for startups, nonprofits and companies.
Event KCD Program (Kubernetes Community Days) CNCF program supporting locally-defined community events that grow Kubernetes and cloud native communities.
Event The Cloud Native Heroes Challenge Contests co-hosted by CNCF and Unified Patents inviting the community to submit prior art to defeat patent trolls.
Educational Program Cilium Certified Associate (CCA) Entry-level CNCF certification confirming knowledge of connecting, securing and observing Kubernetes clusters using Cilium.
Topic CNCF Code of Conduct CNCF's community code of conduct, enforced by the CNCF Code of Conduct Committee.
Topic CNCF Policy Regarding Political Neutrality Policy adopted by the CNCF Governing Board stating CNCF will not make political statements unrelated to its mission.
Service CNCF Video Spotlight Program letting CNCF members at Silver and above submit short videos telling their cloud native story.
Event KubeCon + CloudNativeCon CNCF's flagship conference series, officially named KubeCon + CloudNativeCon [Location Year].
Event Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) Locally organised, community-run cloud native events supported by CNCF with branding, tools and funding tiers.
Service Kubernetes Training Partner (KTP) CNCF-recognised tier of vetted training providers with deep experience in cloud native technology training.
Service CNCF Membership Hub Resource page guiding current CNCF members through member programs, benefits and participation opportunities.
Service Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP) Pre-qualified tier of vetted service providers experienced in helping enterprises adopt Kubernetes.
Topic Cloud Native Glossary Community-maintained glossary making cloud native easier to understand for technologists and business people.
Educational Program Kubestronaut CNCF recognition for individuals holding all five active Kubernetes-related certifications: CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA and KCSA.
Topic Cloud Native Ambassador Program Standards of Excellence Guidelines and best practices governing conduct of CNCF Ambassadors online and offline.
Topic CNCF Accessibility Statement Statement of CNCF's website accessibility commitments, following WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Software Cilium Cloud native networking, security and observability project using eBPF, subject of the CCA certification.
Software CNCF Landscape Interactive resource organising cloud native open source projects and proprietary products into categories.
Technology Kubernetes Cloud native project hosted by CNCF and central to its certifications and community events.
cloud native computing foundation vendor neutral hub of cloud native computing cloud native open source projects cncf hosted projects make cloud native ubiquitous start contributing to cncf projects

Sources

  1. Cloud Native Computing Foundation https://www.cncf.io/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  2. Join the Cloud Native Movement | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/about/join/silver/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  3. KCD FAQ | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/kcds/faq/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  4. Cloud Native Ambassador Program Standards of Excellence | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/people/ambassadors/program-standards/ Verified 18 Sep 2026
  5. Ambassadors FAQ | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/people/ambassadors/faq/ Verified 18 Sep 2026
  6. Training FAQ | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/training/courses/faq/ Verified 18 Sep 2026
  7. Join the CNCF End User Contributor Program | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/enduser-contributor/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  8. Video Spotlight | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/video-spotlight/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  9. CNCF Policy Regarding Political Neutrality | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/political-neutrality-policy/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  10. CNCF community https://community.cncf.io/
  11. Membership FAQ | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/membership-faq/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  12. Membership Hub – For Current Members | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/membership-hub/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  13. Explore All CNCF Sites | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/all-cncf/ Verified 18 Sep 2026
  14. Accessibility Statement | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/accessibility-statement/ Verified 18 Sep 2026
  15. Kubestronaut Program | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/training/kubestronaut/ Verified 25 Oct 2026
  16. Cilium Certified Associate (CCA) | CNCF https://www.cncf.io/training/certification/cca/ Verified 25 Oct 2026

Last verified 03 Oct 2026. This entry is compiled from the public web pages listed above. Nothing here is stated that those pages do not, and each of them was read on the date shown.